Corning and Sycamore Networks Team Up to Accelerate Development of Optical Switching Technologies.

Business & High-Tech Editors

CORNING, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 9, 2000

Collaborative effort expected to accelerate

deployment of 3D MEMs optical switches

Corning Incorporated (NYSE:GLW), an industry-leading manufacturer and supplier of optical fiber and photonic products, announced today that it will team with Sycamore Networks (NASDAQ:SCMR), a leader in the intelligent optical networking market, in developing next generation optical switching technologies. Corning and Sycamore will collaborate on defining the functionality and testing the application of new 3D MEMs technology in telecommunications networks.

The collaborative effort announced today is expected to accelerate the deployment of 3D MEMs optical switch technology as part of an intelligent optical networking solution. MEMS stands for "Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems" and refers to micron-sized complex machines (a micron is one millionth of a meter) that have physical dimensions suitable for the fabrication of optical switches for use in state-of-the-art communications networks.

As a result of recent acquisitions and internal growth, Corning is uniquely positioned in the industry to assist Sycamore in advancing the development of optical switching. "Development of a 3D MEMs based optical switch presents significant challenges in both the design of the optical components and their integration with the needed analog and digital electronics," says David Krozier, Senior Analyst at RHK, Inc., a leading telecommunications industry analysis firm. "Corning differentiates itself by bringing together all the key technologies under one roof," Krozier notes. Specifically, Corning can deliver MEMs technology from IntelliSense Corp., array collimator technology from Corning Rochester Photonics Corp., servo and control design technology from the Corning Albuquerque Development Center (formerly Willow Systems), optical engineering technology from Corning Advanced Photonic Technologies and cabling hardware from Corning Cable Systems.

"Corning has consistently demonstrated the ability to bring best of breed `hard optics' technologies to the market," says Rick Barry, chief technology officer for Sycamore. "Sycamore's strategy is to quickly incorporate these technologies into our systems so that our customers can deploy truly leading edge technology. We look forward to this opportunity to work closely with Corning on the development of next generation optical switch technologies."

Mark Newhouse, Corning's division vice president, optical networking devices stated, "By bringing all the needed capabilities together in one corporation, Corning intends to shorten the development cycle and enable rapid scaling into manufacturing. We are pleased to be teaming up with an industry mover like Sycamore in order to more rapidly advance these critical technologies."

Sycamore Networks develops and markets intelligent optical networking products that transport voice and data traffic over wavelengths of light. The company combines significant experience in data networking with expertise in optics to develop intelligent optical networking solutions for network service providers. Sycamore's products are based on a common software foundation, enabling concentration on the delivery of services and end-to-end optical networking. Sycamore's products and product plans include optical transport, access and switching systems and end-to-end optical network management solutions. Contact Sycamore Networks at www.sycamorenet.com.

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 1999 were $4.7 billion.