Aurora Networks Unveils QAM Transmitter Supporting Cable's Growing Need for Narrowcast Services.

AT3535G Supports 80-plus QAM Channels and Includes a Pre-Amp, Two Developments Fostering Cable's Evolution toward the Delivery of More Advanced Offerings

DENVER -- Aurora Networks, Inc., the only optical transport solution provider focused on delivering a cost-effective, optimized platform for next-generation cable services, today introduced a new QAM transmitter that - among other things - will help cable operators extend and evolve their narrowcast services.

The AT3535G, which Aurora Networks is unveiling at this week's SCTE Cable-Tec Expo in Denver, is the only QAM transmitter of its kind designed to support 80-plus QAM channels, a leap from the 48 QAM channels supported by the AT3520G model. This new QAM transmitter is designed to support the ever-increasing demand for narrowcast services, including high-speed data, telephony and video-on-demand.

The AT3535G incorporates a pre-amplifier. This enables a very low input level to the transmitter, addressing one issue related to narrowcast networks. With growing demand for narrowcast services, the routing of the signals to the transmitter is becoming more complex; this complexity results in further signal attenuation. A cable operator characteristically would need to use an external amplifier to maintain the correct input level for the transmitter, but the AT3535G's pre-amplifier eliminates this need.

"Our development of the AT3535G QAM transmitter, expansion of the loading capacity to 80-plus channels and incorporation of a pre-amp, was based on our inherent understanding of the cable business and our close working relationship with cable operators," said John Dahlquist, vice president of marketing, Aurora Networks. "The extra QAM channels supported by the AT3535G allow for the delivery of additional narrowcast services, permitting cable operators to provide more compelling, high-revenue offerings to subscribers. And because the QAM transmitter includes a pre-amp, an AT3535G system does not require external amplifiers. Thus, the entire system requires less rack space, has simplified installation, increased reliability and ultimately reduced cost to the cable operator."

The AT3535G QAM transmitter joins Aurora Networks' AT3500 family of transmitters, part of a full complement of products developed by the company to support and enhance the deployment of traditional HFC, Fiber Deep and fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) networks.

About Aurora Networks

Aurora Networks is evolving cable by focusing on innovative solutions that build future-proof networks to accommodate the cable subscriber services of today and tomorrow. Aurora Networks is the only pure-play optical transport solution provider that is focused solely on cable MSOs. Using its proven understanding of cable networks, Aurora Networks delivers unique solutions - such as its Fiber Deep architecture and digital return technology - to address specific issues of the cable industry. A technology leader driven by innovation and industry-firsts, Aurora Networks enables leading MSOs across the globe to compete with a cost-effective, optimized launch pad for next-generation cable services. To learn more about Aurora Networks' core cable solutions, please call 408-235-7000 or visit www.aurora.com.

Aurora, Aurora Networks and the Aurora logo are registered trademarks of Aurora Networks, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Other marks are the property of their respective owners and are used here only for identification purposes.