Cygnet is First in VDSL Market to Deploy Plan 998 in U.S., Japan; New Standard Improves Performance, Compatibility With ISDN, ADSL and POTS.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

Networld+Interop Atlanta 2001

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 11, 2001

Cygnet Technologies Inc., the leading developer and marketer of edge communications systems using VDSL, HPNA and Gigabit Ethernet technologies, announced today that its Sojourner(TM) access concentrators are the first and only edge communications products in the VDSL equipment market to successfully comply and ship with the Plan 998 frequency spectrum standard. The Plan 998 standard is designed to enable simultaneous delivery of broadcast TV, video on demand, fast Internet and voice services over existing copper phone wire infrastructure.

The FS-VDSL (Full-Service VDSL) Committee has developed Plan 998 to accelerate the standardization, implementation and deployment of VDSL-based networks worldwide. The working plan ensures that service providers can provide an end-to-end, multi-service, video-centric network platform based on VDSL (Very High Bit-Rate Digital Subscriber Line) standards any where in the world.

Cygnet is currently shipping Plan 998 in the U.S. on the Cygnet CT-3411 Sojourner access concentrators. A customized Plan 998 for the Japanese market is currently shipping on the CT-3410 model.

"Cygnet Technologies is the first and only company to ship Plan 998-compliant products because we are committed to developing products using the newest and most viable technology standards," said Dave Allmond, CTO and founder of Cygnet Technologies. "Cygnet's VDSL products fulfill service and content providers' demand for network devices that are scalable, economical and reliable, and which can deliver emerging high-speed services that generate new revenue. An added bonus is the ability of Cygnet's UMA embedded software to provide cost reductions in ongoing services provisioning, field maintenance and other operational costs."

The Cygnet implementation of the Plan 998 in its 8-port VDSL access concentrators means improved performance to 26Mbps throughput. Cygnet's U.S. and Japan access concentrators have been thoroughly tested to achieve 3,000 feet (1,000 meters) on Category 3 wiring. The maximum theoretical VDSL distance standard is 5,000 feet, based on quality of cable and other factors.

Adoption of the Plan 998 and the customized Japanese Plan 998 ensures that Cygnet products are future-proofed for interoperability, a goal of the FSAN FS-VDSL Committee. Implementation of the standard improves compatibility with ISDN, J-ISDN, ADSL and POTS technologies. The plan is one of two VDSL spectral allocations that were agreed upon by 15 network operators meeting earlier in 2001. Both plans have been accepted by ANSI, ETSI and the ITU.

OVUM Research estimates that the worldwide xDSL market will exceed 45 million lines by 2005. Additionally, industry analyst firm Frost & Sullivan predicts the DSL service markets will reach $14.5 billion in 2007, up from $2.9 billion in 2000.

Product demonstrations are available in booth No. 4346 and information is available at the Cygnet kiosk in the Novell Partner Pavilion.

About Cygnet Technologies Inc.:

Cygnet Technologies Inc. develops and markets edge communications systems to enable the broadband needs of the multi-dwelling unit, multi-tenant unit, single-family residential, campus and high-speed office markets. Cygnet's edge communications systems consist of access concentrators, bridge remote units and switches using VDSL, HPNA and Gigabit Ethernet technologies that operate over copper wire. The systems are sold to OEMs, service providers and system integrators globally. Cygnet Technologies' feature-rich core software improves the time to market of the systems, and Unified Management Access(TM) software architecture provides companies the ability to reduce administrative and equipment costs. www.CygnetTechnologies.com