EXFO Introduces Next-Generation SONET/SDH Test Modules for FTB-400 Universal Test System.

QUEBEC CITY, Quebec -- EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc. (NASDAQ:EXFO)(TSX:EXF.SV)

New modules test SONET/SDH and next-generation Ethernet-over-SONET/SDH on high-speed networks

EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc. announced today the introduction of its newest line of next-generation SONET/SDH test modules for high-speed data networks. The FTB-8120NG and FTB-8130NG Transport Blazer modules, housed inside EXFO's world-class and widely deployed FTB-400 Universal Test System, support transmission rates up to 2.5 Gb/s and 10 Gb/s, respectively.

The FTB-8120NG and FTB-8130NG Transport Blazer modules offer significant enhancements for both traditional SONET/SDH and next-generation SONET/SDH test applications. Both modules support an extensive list of next-generation SONET/SDH features, including generic framing procedure (GFP), high and low-order virtual concatenation (VCAT), as well as high and low-order link-capacity adjustment scheme (LCAS). Each module, which is G.709 ready, contains both an electrical 10/100/1000 Mb/s Ethernet and optical Gigabit Ethernet add/drop interface, used for inter-working with EXFO's FTB-8510 Packet Blazer Ethernet module or other external Ethernet devices. The end-result represents the industry's only data-integrated test solution for advanced Ethernet-over-SONET/SDH service emulation, analysis and troubleshooting applications.

These modules also offer a complete list of DSn, SONET, PDH and SDH test functions, allowing users to perform a wide range of tests, ranging from simple bit-error rate (BER) analysis to more advanced network characterization and troubleshooting procedures. Both the FTB-8120NG and FTB-8130NG Transport Blazer modules include EXFO's exclusive SmartMode feature. SmartMode provides automatic discovery of the incoming SONET/SDH signal structure, including VCAT member identification. Once discovered, SmartMode provides real-time monitoring of all discovered high-order paths and user-defined low-order paths, thus delivering the industry's most powerful portable SONET/SDH multi-channel monitoring solution for quick and simple isolation of faults in next-generation networks.

This latest announcement, following the recent release of comparable modules for the FTB-200 Compact Platform - a reasonably priced solution for mass deployment of traditional networks - demonstrates EXFO's ongoing commitment to provide customers with a wide range of advanced SONET/SDH test solutions for field and central office environments in order to test new requirements created by IP convergence. In addition, these modules can be combined with a wide range of optical test modules (optical time domain reflectometer, chromatic dispersion analyzer; polarization mode dispersion analyzer, optical spectrum analyzer, loss test set, etc.) and other protocol test modules (Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Ethernet, Fibre Channel) test modules to create the most advanced, flexible and future-proof test solution for the long-haul, metro and central office markets.

The PC-based, Windows-driven FTB-400 test platform saves time and costs for network operators, simplifies multi-module test automation, and its common graphical user interface (GUI) across all instruments lowers training requirements.

"Next-generation SONET/SDH technologies offer service providers an efficient means of evolving their existing networks to deliver value-added, IP-based Ethernet transport services like voice, data and video services and a lot more," said Benoit Fleury, EXFO's Vice-President of Protocol-Layer Product Management. "These Ethernet services are now more than ever being used to deliver triple-play services as well as a whole series of future IP-based high-margin services. Therefore, network commissioning and troubleshooting are becoming paramount to ensure reliability and market success. The FTB-400, along with the new FTB-8120NG and FTB-8130NG Transport Blazer modules, is the ideal test solution for network operators to expand their next-generation SONET/SDH networks and meet the growing appetite for such services and, ultimately, to ensure that customers' service-level expectations are met."

The FTB-8120NG and FTB-8130NG modules, which represent a major milestone in EXFO's two-year development program towards next-generation, IP-based networks, will be showcased at OFC/NFOEC, booth 1401 in Anaheim, California, from March 7 to 9; at CeBIT, booth C18/Hall 16, in Hanover, Germany, from March 9 to 15; and at TelecomNext, booth 261 in Las Vegas, Nevada, from March 20 to 22. For more information about the FTB-8120NG and FTB-8130NG Transport Blazer modules or the FTB-400 Universal Test System, please visit www.EXFO.com.

About EXFO

EXFO is a recognized test and measurement expert in the global telecommunications industry. The Telecom Division, which represents the company's main business activity, offers a full suite of test solutions and monitoring systems to network service providers, cable TV operators, telecom system vendors and component manufacturers in approximately 70 countries. EXFO is the global market leader for portable optical test solutions and a leading supplier of protocol and access test solutions to enable triple-play deployments and converged IP networking. Its PC/Windows-based modular FTB-200, FTB-400 and IQS-500 test platforms host a wide range of modular test solutions across optical, physical, data and network layers, while maximizing technology reuse across several market segments. The Life Sciences and Industrial Division, which leverages several core telecom technologies, offers value-added solutions in the life sciences and high-precision assembly sectors based on advanced spot-curing, fluorescence microscopy and nanopositioning solutions. For more information about EXFO, visit www.EXFO.com.

EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc. (TSX:EXF.SV) (NASDAQ:EXFO)