Lucent's optical networking products granted `RUS acceptance' status.

Lucent Technologies (NYSE:LU) has announced that two of its advanced optical networking systems have gained "RUS Acceptance" status from the Rural Utilities Service branch of the United States Department of Agriculture.

This acceptance will enable third-party resellers and suppliers in the Lucent Advantage BusinessPartner program to sell optical networking systems to thousands of RUS-funded service providers.

"Lucent's advanced optical networking systems help customers lower the cost of deploying and operating networks," said Tim Sullivan, president, Optical Networking, Lucent Technologies. "This RUS acceptance will allow Lucent BusinessPartners to sell our products into a new and emerging market."

The USDA granted the "RUS Acceptance" status to the Lucent Metropolis DMX Access Multiplexer and WaveStar TDM 2.5/10G. This status permits rural utility service providers that deploy these products to qualify for governmental financial assistance.

"In order for Lucent BusinessPartners to sell Lucent products to RUS-funded service providers, the products need to be listed on the government's RUS schedule of product authorizations," said Mary P. Bowen, president, Madison Group, a Lucent Advantage BusinessPartner. "This acceptance will enable Lucent to provide rural customers with technologically advanced products and give those customers the ability to apply for RUS funding."

Metropolis DMX, which is part of Lucent's Metropolis portfolio of metro optical networking products, has been deployed with more than 35 customers and recently received the "Best Telecom Equipment" award at UTC Telecom 2002, the world's largest utility telecom technology tradeshow. It provides next-generation SONET capabilities and serves as an integrated Ethernet over SONET metro access multiplexer that enables service providers to cost-effectively migrate from existing TDM (time-division multiplexed) networks to data-aware packet networks. Providing a solid foundation for future bandwidth and service growth, the Metropolis DMX offers scalable service growth with interfaces from DS-1 to OC-192, including 10/100 and Gigabit Ethernet, on a single compact platform.

The WaveStar TDM 2.5/10G is a multi-service self-healing SONET transport network product that enables service providers to deliver optical services at rates of up to 10 gigabits per second per wavelength and support current services as well as new applications through a scalable and flexible system. A 10 Gb/s line rate is capable of transmitting up to 2 million one-page emails or 130,000 simultaneous phone calls per second. The system is a mature and a stable platform with over 5000 systems deployed in SONET networks globally. Developed by Lucent's Bell Labs, the system also helps reduce operating expenses through advanced self-healing networks, network management capabilities and superior carrier grade reliability.

Lucent Technologies, headquartered in Murray Hill, N.J., USA, designs and delivers networks for the world's largest communications service providers. Backed by Bell Labs research and development, Lucent relies on its strengths in mobility, optical, data and voice networking technologies as well as software and services to develop next-generation networks. The company's systems, services and software are designed to help customers quickly deploy and better manage their networks and create new, revenue-generating services that help businesses and consumers.