Ethernet in the First Mile Alliance Formed to Support Ethernet Subscriber Access Technology and IEEE Standard Effort.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 10, 2001

Alloptic, Cisco Systems, Elastic Networks, Ericsson, Extreme

Networks, Finisar, Intel, NTT, and World Wide Packets Unite to

Promote Ethernet Access Standard

IEEE 802.3ah EFM Task Force to Create a Simple, Cost-Effective

Ethernet Standard for the First Mile

The Ethernet in the First Mile Alliance (EFMA) announced its formation today. With a mission of promoting Ethernet subscriber access technology and supporting the related IEEE standard effort, the Alliance was founded by nine industry-leading network infrastructure and service providers. In addition, the EFMA announced that the IEEE has authorized the formation of the 802.3ah Ethernet in the First Mile (EFM) Task Force, which is chartered with developing the technical standard for Ethernet in the First Mile. The formation culminates a year-long technical investigation supported by more than 80 companies around the world.

The goals of the EFMA are to:

-- Support the EFM standard effort conducted by the IEEE 802.3ah Task Force,

-- Contribute technical resources to facilitate convergence and consensus of
technical specifications,

-- Promote industry awareness, acceptance, and advancement of the EFM standard
and products, and

-- Provide resources to establish and demonstrate multi-vendor interoperability
and encourage and promote interoperability events.

"Intel supports the EFMA's goal to bring Ethernet's bandwidth, ease-of-use, and cost benefits to bear on the access bottleneck," said Sean Riley, General Manager of the Enterprise Components Division at Intel. "The formation of the EFMA to support the 802.3ah EFM Task Force brings us one step closer to achieving the vision of ubiquitous broadband Ethernet access."

"The efficiency and economic advantage of Ethernet will make its use in the First Mile access network a win/win/win for subscribers, service providers and equipment manufacturers," explained Craig Easley, President of the Ethernet in the First Mile Alliance and Director of Service Provider Marketing at Extreme Networks. "We believe the time is right to pursue a technical standard and form this multi-vendor alliance in order to prepare the market for this exciting emerging technology."

The Ethernet in the First Mile Alliance was founded by a cross section of leading network equipment and component manufacturers and network service providers from around the world. The first EFMA membership meeting is planned for February 2002.

About the IEEE 802.3ah Standards Effort

Since November 2000 more than 200 individuals from over 80 companies have participated in an IEEE study group, which formally became the IEEE 802.3ah Task Force in September 2001. The Task Force, which is chartered with developing the IEEE EFM standard, has already made significant progress by defining the objectives for three subscriber access network topologies and physical layers. The IEEE 802.3ah EFM Task Force is part of the IEEE 802.3 Working Group, which is responsible for the development of all Ethernet standards. For additional information on the IEEE 802.3 Working Group, see http://www.ieee802.org/3/index.html.

About the Ethernet in the First Mile Alliance (EFMA)

Created to promote the use of Ethernet in the First Mile subscriber access networks and support the IEEE 802.3ah standard process, the EFMA was founded by leading network infrastructure and service providers: Alloptic, Inc., Cisco Systems (Nasdaq:CSCO), Elastic Networks (Nasdaq:ELAS), Ericsson Telecom (Nasdaq:ERICY), Extreme Networks (Nasdaq:EXTR), Finisar (Nasdaq:FNSR), Intel (Nasdaq:INTC), NTT (NYSE:NTT), and World Wide Packets. For additional information about the Ethernet in the First Mile Alliance or membership, visit its web site at www.efmalliance.org.