Belgacom to Deploy Sorrento Networks' Optical Networking Solution; First Deployment in Managed Service Offering.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 27, 2001

Solution to Banking Sector Customers of Belgian Incumbent Telecom

Operator Leverages Sorrento's EPC Solution

Sorrento Networks, a leading supplier of end-to-end, intelligent optical networking solutions for metro and regional applications world-wide (Nasdaq:FIBR), and Belgacom SA/NV, the incumbent telecommunications operator for Belgium, announced the first deployment of Sorrento's GigaMux(tm) optical transport system as part of a managed bandwidth solution of fibre and DWDM.

An integral part of the solution to a large Belgian-based bank will be Sorrento's 8-port EPC, a sub-rate multiplexing system based on Sorrento technology recently granted patent protection by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Alain Deneef, general manager, Corporate & Data Solutions division of Belgacom commented, "We chose the Sorrento solution specifically for its unique ability to aggregate numerous lower-speed channels onto a single wavelength, its ability to support protected services on two independent fibres to the customer premises and, generally, its reliability, scalability and modularity."

John Mason, president of Sorrento Networks Europe, said, "Belgacom is not only a technology innovator, but also the strategically-placed service provider to a broad range of pan-European organizations and businesses. Adding them to the growing list of European service providers and MSOs who are deploying our solution is a major win for Sorrento Networks."

Sorrento President and Chief Operating Officer James Dixon commented, "We expect Belgacom and Sorrento Networks to work together on a number of managed service and infrastructure projects over the coming months."

Sorrento Networks has sold its products to a broad range of customers, including cable companies and MSOs (AT&T Broadband, Cox Communications, United Pan-European Communications), utilities (Southern California Edison, El Paso Global Networks) and incumbent telecommunications operators in Europe (Deutsche Telekom). Sorrento Networks' product portfolio includes optical access, transport, switching and management, and allows service providers to offer a wide variety of services in these markets.

About Belgacom

Belgacom SA, headquartered in Brussels, the heart of Europe, is the leading supplier of global telecommunications solutions on the Belgian market. The company is owned by the Belgian state (50% + one share) and ADSB Telecommunications (50% - one share), an international consortium made up of SBC, Singapore Telecom, Tele Danmark and a group of investors from the financial sector.

Belgacom is the leading supplier of global telecommunications solutions on the Belgian market. The Belgacom group mainly offers local, intercity and international voice and data services, cellular telephone services, satellite services, carrier services and all Internet-related services. Its Internet Service Provider subsidiary Infosources (listed on the Nouveau Marche -- Paris, represented by Skynet in Belgium and by Infonie in France) of which Belgacom holds 74.3% is Belgium's leading supplier of Internet access services. Its mobile subsidiary Belgacom Mobile (75% Belgacom, 25% Vodafone) had over 3,250,000 customers in December 2000, representing a more than 58% market share. Last but not least, Belgacom is actively involved in the security market through Belgacom Alert Services Holding. Since 1996, Belgacom has been offering Belgacom World Solutions, which cover more than 220 countries and territories and through which customers can connect their various business centers based on a single telecom standard.

About Sorrento Networks

Sorrento Networks, headquartered in San Diego, provides optical networking solutions that address high-speed applications and network requirements for metropolitan and regional bandwidth service providers. Sorrento Networks' products support a wide range of protocols and network traffic over linear, ring and mesh topologies.

Sorrento Networks' existing customer base and market focus includes communications carriers in the telecommunications, cable TV, fixed wireless and utilities markets. The Storage Area Network market is addressed though strategic alliances with systems integrators. Recent news releases and additional information about Sorrento Networks can be found at (www.sorrentonet.com).

Forward-looking Statements

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Words such as "plans," "expects," "intends," and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The occurrence of actual events may differ materially due to a variety of factors, including without limitation the following: (1) failure to identify and address new opportunities in conjunction with Belgacom or other customers; (2) unanticipated technical problems relating to the Company's products; (3) the Company's ability, or lack thereof, to make, market and sell optical networking products that meet with market approval and acceptance; (4) the greater financial, technical and other resources of the Company's many, larger competitors in the marketplace for optical networking products; (4) changed market conditions, new business opportunities or other factors that might affect the Company's decisions as to the best interests of its shareholders; (5) other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.