Datum-Irvine Receives Prestigious TL 9000 Quality Registration Certification for Telecommunications Suppliers.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 14, 2002

Datum Inc. (Nasdaq:DATM), a leading global supplier of timing synchronization and frequency solutions, today announced that it has received TL 9000 certification for its Datum-Irvine facility.

Only 70 telecommunications equipment manufacturers worldwide have so far achieved this level of TL 9000 quality registration, which provides a standardized set of quality systems requirements specific to the telecommunications industry for all participants worldwide. It is estimated that once full participation is achieved the TL 9000 standards will be applicable to 10,000 telecommunications suppliers around the world. "By implementing TL 9000 standards," says Vice President of Quality, Norman Guenther, "We've made Datum-Irvine's partnership with its wireless telecommunications customers even stronger and, through joint problem solving, more effective and efficient."

In addition to Datum-Irvine's ISO 9000 certifications, 81 new performance criteria and cost-based metrics that measure reliability and quality performance are included in the TL 9000 registration. "Performing to the standards of the TL 9000," says Datum-Irvine President Mike Patrick, "requires us to rate ourselves on our level of customer satisfaction and to set specific cost and performance goals. These are areas where Datum-Irvine was already strong, but we wanted to do even better."

Telecommunications service providers and suppliers established the QuEST Forum in 1996 to create a consistent set of quality standards for the industry worldwide. Currently, more than 100 companies are members of the QuEST Forum. In January 1998, the QuEST Forum began to develop a single, common set of worldwide telecommunications quality management system requirements based on existing industry standards and practices. Using ISO 9000 as a foundation, TL 9000 standards defined the quality management system requirements for telecommunications products and services. Also included in the TL 9000 standard are cost, performance and reliability measurements. The intent of the TL 9000 is to eliminate the need for compliance to multiple, often inconsistent telecommunications quality management industry standards.

In the past, the telecommunications industry has spent significant time and money rectifying service and product failures. To alleviate this, TL 9000 defines specific quality needs and sets clear goals and objectives, sustaining higher quality and fewer problems throughout the telecom supply chain. Datum-Irvine is proud to be the newest member of this solution process.

About Datum Inc.

Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Datum designs, manufacturers and markets advanced, cost-effective network synchronization, timing and frequency solutions for telecommunications, computer networks, satellite systems and test and measurement applications. With more than 150,000 solutions in operation worldwide, Datum is the world's leading supplier of embedded and external carrier-class synchronization solutions. Additional information about the critical role of timing is available at http://www.datum.com.