Corning Incorporated Introduces Optical Fiber for Unrepeatered Submarine Networks.

Business & Technology Editors

CORNING, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 16, 2001

Corning(R) Vascade(TM) L1000 fiber offers a high-speed,

high-capacity solution for short-haul undersea networks

Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW), an industry-leading supplier of optical fiber and photonics, today introduced a new undersea optical fiber optimized for unrepeatered (short-haul) submarine networks. Corning's Vascade(TM) L1000 fiber demonstrates 30% greater information-carrying capacity than standard single-mode fiber, enabling network designers to achieve lowest-cost-per-bit transmission in their short-haul undersea networks.

The Vascade L1000 fiber is a single-mode fiber designed for the unique, often rigorous requirements of short-haul undersea networks operating at higher data rates, including 10 Gb/s. It offers the advantages of a high effective area fiber - maximizing information-carrying capacity by increasing the amount of optical power the fiber can carry without increasing susceptibility to non-linear effects. Also, Vascade L1000 fiber features low attenuation in the 1530-1565 nm operating window to allow greater reach and longer system lengths.

Tests conducted at Corning's state-of-the-art submarine fiber testing and analysis laboratory show Vascade L1000 fiber offers significantly better performance at 30% tighter channel spacing than that of standard single-mode fiber, currently utilized in short-haul undersea networks. Tighter channel spacing allows network designers to pack more data into each wavelength, driving down the cost of bandwidth.

"Increasing the reach, channel count and transmission rate of optical fiber is key to a successful network, particularly when dealing with the complexities of submarine networks," said Alan Eusden, senior vice president and general manager, Corning Optical Fiber. "Corning is offering short-haul undersea network operators the technically advanced, application-optimized solution they need to achieve greater reach, speed and capacity, all at a significant cost savings."

Wendell Weeks, Corning Optical Communications president, added, "We continue to see robust demand for submarine bandwidth, which translates directly into demand for our leading-edge submarine fiber technology. Corning has enjoyed strong leadership and expertise in undersea fiber-optics, and leading submarine network operators continue to demand our advanced performance products."

Established in 1851, Corning Incorporated (www.corning.com) creates leading-edge technologies for the fastest-growing markets of the world's economy. Corning manufactures optical fiber, cable and photonic products for the telecommunications industry; and high-performance displays and components for television and other communications-related industries. The company also uses advanced materials to manufacture products for scientific, semiconductor and environmental markets. Corning's revenues in 2000 were $7.1 billion.