Atmosphere Networks Accelerates Data and Voice Convergence In Optical Access Network.

CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 1, 1999--

Addition of new access modules propels Atmosphere toward its goal

of revolutionizing the optical access loop

Atmosphere Networks, a leader in multi-service SONET/SDH transmission networks, today announced a comprehensive new family of voice and data service interfaces for its industry leading Full Service Node (FSN) 1200 multi-service SONET/SDH add-drop multiplexer (ADM). These new modules enable carriers to more quickly and inexpensively provide new business services like voice over IP, and to increase the local loop's flexibility for popular subscriber services such as Transparent LAN Service (TLS), broadband Internet access, and private line services. With Atmosphere's new portfolio including T1/T3, 10/100 Mbps Ethernet, OC3 and WDM support, carriers can aggregate all services onto a single infrastructure for a seamless hand-off toe the carrier's ATM backbone.

Atmosphere's FSN 1200 simplifies the access infrastructure and reduces carrier's capital outlay and on-going costs by up to 75 percent through elimination of additional products such as services access multiplexers, digital cross connects and routers. The FSN 1200 leverages the popularity and standards orientation of SONET/SDH and ATM to create a transport capable of delivering any service. In addition to reducing equipment costs, Atmosphere's products deliver up to 80 percent higher SONET system capacity by eliminating the stringent bandwidth constraints of TDM, SONET's traditional multiplexing technology.

"The addition of these new services modules make Atmosphere's FSN 1200 the SONET transport solution of choice for the competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) market plus positions us for deployment in incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) optical edge networks," said Rob Newman, president and CEO of Atmosphere Networks. "Our goal is to drastically lower the cost of delivering all services to the carrier subscriber base while maintaining the same level of reliability we're used to in traditional SONET networks. We are committed to driving the evolution of multi-service optical transport for the benefit of service providers and their customers."

"If we are to sustain our rapid growth, we need to be able to quickly react to changing service needs of our customers," said Steve Hensley, vice president of engineering at GST Telecommunications. "Our multi-service ATM backbone lets us converge all services on to a single network today. The economics of delivering services to this backbone over TDM SONET are not compelling in the long term and we must find alternatives. Atmosphere's technology lets us extend the power of our multi-service ATM backbone all the way to the edge of the network."

Expanded Service Creation Capabilities for the FSN 1200

Atmosphere Networks' new set of service interfaces crates a compelling system portfolio to address the needs of both traditional service transport and the evolving packet data and voice applications.

The first two modules support the most popular private line services, T1 and T3, and also facilitate service grooming directly onto the multi-service ATM backbones allowing carriers to eliminate intermediate TDM-to-ATM service mediation devices:

-- The 8-port T1 module increases the FSN 1200's T1 support from two

to eight ports per slot, allowing carriers to deliver up to 32

T1s per FSN 1200 node. Applications include switched voice

trunking, integrated access transport and dedicated Frame

Rely/data access.

-- The 2-port T3 module provides up to eight full or fractional T3s

per FSN 1200 node. The applications include point-to-point

Internet connectivity, uncompressed video transport, and DS1

channelized connections to call centers and large enterprises.

Atmosphere is also expanding its FSN 1200 portfolio with two modules that focus on the cell and packet services that are rapidly gaining popularity with carrier subscribers:

-- The 10/100 BaseT ethernet modules increase the FSN 1200's

Ethernet service capability by 6000 percent, upgrading it from

four 10 Mbps interfaces per system to up to 24 interfaces capable

of 100 Mbps speed. The modules deliver unprecedented flexibility

in provisioning Transparent LAN Services (TLS) and broadband

Internet access. They include a single port 10/100BaseT bridged

service module which is cost optimized for single tenant service

termination, and a six-port switched 10/100BaseT module which is

ideally suited for multi-tenant and networks hub applications.

Both Ethernet modules offer carriers better customer retention by enabling customers to buy only the bandwidth they need. Atmosphere's products also substantially lower cost to upgrade subscriber's service to higher speeds through most provisioning which eliminates the need for on-site service visits. The modules also support VLAN tagging for secure transmission of multiple subscriber connections over the same logical interface and Ethernet-to-ATM internetworking for aggregated hand-off of TLS/Internet services to carriers' multi-services ATM backbones.

-- The 4-port OC-3c ATM module expands the capacity of each FSN 1200

node to 16 OC-3 interfaces. When the FSN 1200 is deployed as a

service access multiplexer (SAM) extending services directly from

a carrier ATM switch or the FSN 1200 ring, the OC-3 module's 1+1

optical protection capability can be used to create resilient

uplink facilities. With this module, up to 16 of Atmosphere's NTU 

300s can be terminated in each FSN 1200 node to create a

configuration optimized for shared tenant service deployment by

CLECs. This module is available with multi-mode or single mode

optics.

-- The passive wave division multiplexing (WDM) module enables

carriers to increase their profits by doubling the capacity of

existing fiber and eliminating the need for additional fiber

deployment.

-- Atmosphere is also introducing its new wall mount equipment

enclosure designed for turnkey customer located (CLE)

installations. The enclosure fully integrates the FSN 1200 with

redundant AC/DC power rectifiers, eight-hour battery back-up and

integrated patch panels.

Atmosphere's Four-Phase Optical Access Convergence Strategy

The new service modules fulfill the third stage of Atmospere's four-phase optical access convergence strategy which is focused on delivering products, technologies and partnerships to accelerate the availability of a multi-service access infrastructure based on SONET/SDH. The four-phase strategy includes:

- Phase One (Early 1998): Introduction and deployment of Atmosphere's revolutionary FSN 1200 Full Service SONET/SDH add-drop multiplexer. The FSN was introduced in 1998 and is now deployed by more than 14 carriers.

- Phase Two (late 1998): Accelerating carrier acceptance of multi-service SONET/SDH through the assurance of multi-vendor interoperability based on existing standards. Atmosphere spearheaded the creation of Data-Aware Transport Activity (D.A.T.A).

Since its founding in November 1998, D.A.T.A. membership has expanded to more than 20 companies. D.A.T.A's first live multi-vendor interoperability demonstration based on an initial set of specifications will take place at SUPERCOMM '99 in Atlanta, Ga. (June 6-10, 1999).

- Phase Three (First half of 1999 and beyond): Expansion of Atmosphere's multi-service SONET portfolio through higher system capacity, faster SONET speeds and the integration of wave division multiplexing (WDM).

- Phase Four (Second Half of 1999 and beyond): Create a seamless multi-service network architecture through wide integration of Atmosphere's ASIC-based ring technology in carrier switches, digital loop carriers (DLC), digital subscriber line (DSL) access multiplexers and other carrier network elements.

Price and Availability

The T1 module is available in June and is priced from $3,000. The T3, OC-3c and Ethernet modules will be available in the third quarter of 1999. The T3 modules are priced at $5,000, the OC-3 prices range from $2,000 to $20,000 depending on the optical interface configuration.

Ethernet modules start at $4,000. WDM module and the wall mount enclosure are available immediately and are priced at $2,000 and $11,000 respectively. The FSN 1200 base price is $10,500.

About Atmosphere Networks

Atmosphere Networks was founded in May 1997 to create solutions that enable carriers to meet the demands of access to packet (ATM/IP) networks in the 21st century. The company is delivering packet-aware optical transport products that create unparalleled capabilities enabling carriers to deliver highly differentiated services to their small and large business subscribers.

The company's SONET/SDH technology has been integrated by LSI Logic into its CoreWare(R) library of telecommunication products, which is used by a variety of major telecommunications vendors.

Atmosphere Networks is located at 10261 Bubb Road, Building 2, Cupertino, Ca. 95014. The company can be reached via email at [e-mail], by phone at 1-800-ADD-DROP or by fax at 408-517-1299. Visit Atmosphere's web site at www.atmospherenet.com

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Note to editors: Atmosphere Networks is a trademark of Atmosphere Networks Inc. CoreWare(R) is a registered trademark of LSI Logic Corp. All other trademarks belong to their respective owners.