Ethernet in the First Mile Task Force Tackles Major Milestone.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 9, 2003

IEEE 802.3ah EFM Task Force Agrees on Baseline Technical Proposals

to Clear Critical Hurdles During January 2003 IEEE Interim Meeting

The Ethernet in the First Mile Alliance (EFMA) today announced that the IEEE 802.3ah Task Force made significant progress at the Task Force's interim meeting being held this week in Vancouver, BC. The Task Force has reached consensus on critical issues for point-to-point copper and point-to-multi-point optical sub-task forces, enabling the whole standard to move forward in the standardization process.

The copper sub-task force had been working to achieve consensus on a technical proposal for the long reach objective, which was added last year in response to several Service Providers' request for a copper specification to provide an Ethernet solution that would address local loop lengths of 2,700 meters (approx. 9,000 feet). The copper sub-task had been debating the relative merits of two technical proposals (one advocating using G.SHDSL, and a proposal advocating the use of ADSL+ as specified in G992.1 Annex J). Demonstrating alignment between the telecommunications industry and its customer base of Service Providers, the Task Force adopted the G.SHDSL proposal, which had strong support from Service Providers. The adoption of the baseline proposal that satisfies the long reach objective for copper local loops in addition to the selection of an encapsulation mechanism for the PHY based upon 64b/65B, which had been another open technical issue in the sub-task force, will enable the copper sub-task force to move forward and keep pace with the other three sub-tasks that make up the IEEE 802.3ah effort.

The optical sub-task force also made significant progress, by adopting specifications for the point to multipoint (or EPON) optical transceivers, which will enable the EFM components to be manufactured at significantly less cost than their APON rivals. As a result the Task Force will circulate an updated draft of the IEEE P802.3ah document as draft 1.3 following the conclusion of the January interim meeting.

The progress made at this week's IEEE interim meeting represents "achieving a major mile stone. It shows strong consensus and the direction to move quickly in developing the specifications for first mile copper and optical technologies. The Task Force has dedicated tremendous amount of time and effort in analyzing these technical proposals," said Howard Frazier, Chairman of the IEEE 802.3ah EFM Task Force. "These decisions overcome significant technical obstacles to completing the standard. With these behind us, the project will make rapid progress."

"This accomplishment leads us well down the path to the creation of a solid, stable, complete document," commented Craig Easley, President of the Ethernet in the First Mile Alliance and Director in the Office of the CTO at Extreme Networks. The selection of a single technical specification gives Service Providers the preferred solution for Ethernet access networks that rely on long copper loops for transport to the subscriber premise. By making the hard decisions the IEEE has once again demonstrated its commitment to delivering a complete, global standard for EFM and its willingness to listen to and take direction from its customers, the Service Providers who will deploy EFM technology and offer Ethernet services in the public access network.

About the IEEE 802.3ah Standards Effort

Since November 2000 more than 300 individuals from over 100 companies have participated in an IEEE study group, which formally became the IEEE 802.3ah EFM Task Force in September 2001. The IEEE 802.3ah EFM Task Force is chartered with developing the IEEE EFM standard and 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 principle members represent the leading network infrastructure, component and service providers including: Accton Technology, Agere, Alloptic, Analog Devices, BATM Advanced Communications, Broadcom (BRCM), Calix, Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO), Ericsson Telecom (NASDAQ: ERICY), Extreme Networks (NASDAQ: EXTR), Fiber in the Loop, Finisar (NASDAQ: FNSR), Harmonic Inc., Hatteras Networks, Infineon Technologies (NYSE: IFX) Intel (NASDAQ: INTC), Metalink, National Semiconductor, NTT (NYSE: NTT), Panasonic, Paradyne, Passave Networks, Spirent Communications, 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 or e-mail contact via [e-mail].