Fujitsu Sets New Direction for Core Grooming with MSSP Expansion for FLASHWAVE 4500 Platform.

CHICAGO -- New Switch Fabric and Full Support for All MSPP Functionality and Interfaces Enable Ultra High-Capacity Core Grooming Applications

Fujitsu Network Communications Inc., a leading supplier of IT and networking solutions, today announced the availability of a highly-scalable, Multi-Service Switching Platform (MSSP) based on its widely deployed FLASHWAVE(R) 4500 Multi-Service Provisioning Platform (MSPP). The new FLASHWAVE 4500 MSSP is specifically engineered to support ultra high-capacity, core grooming applications that traditionally require a high-cost Digital Cross-Connect System (DCS), or the deployment of a completely new, large-scale MSSP network element. The standard Fujitsu FLASHWAVE 4500 MSPP is easily expandable to deliver full-scale MSSP functionality as demand for increased capacity dictates.

The FLASHWAVE 4500 MSSP configuration delivers a three-fold increase in interface capacity with up to 300 Gbps of traffic grooming capacity - while supporting current SONET and Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) functionality. Service providers can order the MSSP configuration immediately to upgrade existing FLASHWAVE 4500-based networks, or for new network installations.

"A typical multi-service switch deployment requires carriers to install a completely new network element and incur a significant capital investment, critical long-range planning expense, and the overhead of supporting another network element," said Dana Cooperson, group and program director of communications research and consulting firm RHK, Inc. "As the market leader in North American SONET market with 28% share (per our research), Fujitsu has provided carriers with an alternative that allows grooming capacity to be added as needed, lowering short term capital expense and risk."

"After listening to our customers, we built an MSSP solution that service providers can deploy as needed," said George Chase, group president and chief operating officer of Fujitsu Network Communications. "With this most recent enhancement to the carrier-class FLASHWAVE 4500 platform, Fujitsu enables more efficient networks by integrating multiple service, transport and grooming elements into a single network element. The resulting platform solves major business and network problems for telecom, Multiple System Operator (MSO) and wireless network service providers by reducing transport costs and simplifying network planning."

The new MSSP configuration, which is being demonstrated this week at SUPERCOMM 2004 (Fujitsu Booth #20814), delivers an extremely cost and space saving solution for all traditional SONET Add/Drop Multiplexer (ADM) applications and advanced functionality such as native Ethernet and digital video transport. Critical DCS capabilities such as VT1.5 grooming and test access are retained during an MSPP to MSSP upgrade. In addition, by upgrading an existing platform instead of introducing an entirely new device, the impact on existing operating systems, procedures and staff is minimized.

With 20 flexible service interface slots in the MSPP configuration and up to 60 service interface slots in the MSSP configuration, the FLASHWAVE 4500 platform supports dozens of terminal, linear and ring architectures simultaneously, while integrating DWDM, broadband video and the Local Area Network (LAN) into the metropolitan transport network.

Unlike the majority of MSSP devices that handle only optical connections, the FLASHWAVE 4500 MSSP supports all electrical and optical interfaces from DS1 to OC-192, including next-generation Ethernet and DVB-ASI cards. Interface cards are interchangeable between MSPP and MSSP configurations to simplify sparing and planning.

As an ultra high-capacity optical hub, a three-stage FLASHWAVE 4500 MSSP can directly terminate up to 15 OC-192 interoffice rings, 30 OC-48 interoffice/access rings, and hundreds of OC-12/OC-3 access rings. For service provisioning, a FLASHWAVE 4500 MSSP system can directly support up to 252 protected DS1 drops, 288 protected DS3 drops, 240 Fast Ethernet ports and 144 DVB-ASI ports.

The MSSP is an emerging class of telecommunication equipment that combines the transport capabilities of an MSPP with the grooming capabilities of a DCS. All incoming access and interoffice rings are terminated directly on the MSSP to both minimize the total number of network elements required and to reduce the associated interconnect cabling that is often responsible for the majority of central office trouble tickets.

As an MSSP, the FLASHWAVE 4500 platform offers a new 300 Gbps STS-1 switch fabric that can groom up to 5760 x 5760 STS channels. As expansion shelves are linked to the original MSPP shelf, 100 Gbps of interface capacity is added. Three shelves can fit in a single rack to provide 300 Gbps of interface capacity with full STS grooming capabilities. The entire system, whether comprised of one, two or three shelves, retains the single Target Identifier (TID) of the original MSPP to operate as one unit and minimize the effect on existing operating systems and procedures.

About Fujitsu Network Communications Inc.

Fujitsu Network Communications Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702), is a leading provider of customer-focused IT and carrier-class telecommunications solutions for the wireline, wireless and cable TV service provider market in North America. Supported by smart innovation and deep-rooted research from Fujitsu Labs, Fujitsu is uniquely positioned to deliver fully integrated IT/Telecom solutions for its customers. The company's comprehensive consulting and customer services offer support at any network design, development, deployment and maintenance stage. For more news and information, please visit http://www.fujitsu.com/us/telecom.

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