Agilent Technologies Introduces Solutions for More Efficient, Intelligent Optical Networks.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

Optical Fiber Communications 2002

ANAHEIM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 18, 2002

Optical Test Solutions and Components Reduce Manufacturing Costs and

Time to Market, Improve Services

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today introduced test solutions and components to support more efficient and intelligent optical networks. Agilent's range of products includes optical component test equipment, installation and maintenance platforms, and high-performance semiconductor solutions designed specifically to reduce manufacturing cost, accelerate time to market and improve service.

Agilent solutions and components on display include:

-- a photonic all-parameter analyzer designed to reduce the cost of test and
increase throughput in the manufacturing of essential DWDM components for
optical networks;

-- a modular network testing platform for installation, commissioning and
maintenance of optical networks, designed to dramatically reduce service
providers' cash-to-cash cycles;

-- a 3.35 Gb/s optical and electrical generator and analyzer for 10 Gb Ethernet
(GbE), SFI-5 and VSR-OC786 test needs, which reduce time to market for network
equipment manufacturers' new optoelectronic components;

-- a new serial 10 GbE XENPAK optical transceiver, designed to the latest IEEE
10 GbE standards and the XENPAK multi-source agreement, which offers higher
performance and a smaller footprint than current 1Gb Ethernet solutions; and

-- a new terahertz optical sampler, featuring breakthrough technology that
offers optical sampling for ultra-wide bandwidth applications. The sampler
allows R&D engineers to characterize 40 to 160 Gb/s components to previously
unattainable levels.

"The optical communications industry is at a turning point in its short history -- capacity in the core network now exceeds demand while traffic continues to grow 100 percent per year," said Werner Huettemann, vice president and general manager of Agilent's Communications Network Solutions. "As innovators we must turn our attention to the current bottleneck in the optical network, edge and access. The solution lies in helping network manufacturers and service providers reduce their cost per managed bit. Therefore, Agilent is committed to accelerating the development of the intelligent optical network."

Additional information about these solutions, other Agilent products on display at OFC 2002, and background information on Agilent's optical communications business is available in Agilent's OFC 2002 virtual press kit at www.agilent.com/go/ofc2002.

OFC 2002 runs March 17 to 21 at the Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, Calif.

Agilent in Communications

Agilent Technologies is a leading provider of components, test, measurement, monitoring and management solutions for the communications industry. Agilent enables designers, manufacturers and service providers to accelerate the delivery of next-generation devices, networks and services. Agilent's broad set of solutions and services includes optical, wireless, Internet and broadband technologies that span the entire communications life cycle.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is a global technology leader in communications, electronics and life sciences. The company's 39,000 employees serve customers in more than 120 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $8.4 billion in fiscal year 2001. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.