Microtest Launches New OMNIScanner LT LAN Cable Tester.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 22, 2001

OMNIScanner(TM) Measurement System Now Available In The Industry's

Most Economical Category 5e/6 Network Cable Certification Tool

Microtest(R), Inc. (Nasdaq: MTST), the technology leader in network cable testing, today launched a new product in their flagship line of premise network cable testers at the CeBIT Show in Hannover, Germany. The new product, OMNIScanner(TM) LT, is the lowest priced tool in its class and gives customers the same great measurement system as in the OMNIScanner(TM)2 at a new entry-level price.

The entrance of classic electrical contractors into datacom integration business worldwide, and growth in residential networking, is creating new opportunities for more affordable cable certification tools. Because of the higher accuracy requirements, tighter limits and more measurement parameters needed to certify Category 5e/6 installations, the investment in testers for advanced cabling has significantly increased over the last 5 years. As demand for bandwidth continues to grow worldwide, installing and testing advanced cabling systems needs to be accessible to a wider audience than that addressable with the current higher-end Category 5e/6 cable testers. Microtest now offers a comprehensive range of premise network cable testers from MICROSCANNER(TM) Pro, $399, through PentaScanner(R) SI, $2,995, and PentaScanner(R) 350, $3,995, to the OMNIScanner LT, $4,995, and the flagship OMNIScanner2, $5,995 (all prices are Latin American and Asian Pacific MSRP stated in US$).

OMNIScanners remain the world's most accurate field cable testers; the OMNIScanner LT, like the OMNIScanner2, exceeds proposed 250 MHz Level III accuracy requirements. OMNIScanner LT has an extremely wide dynamic range of 100dB that allows advanced S-Band cable and connector diagnostics and supports the industry's only available Category 6 channel testing capability in the field. The OMNIScanner LT tests basic links, permanent links, and channels using complete, up-to-date, standards-compliant test suites of the TIA/ISO/IEC. Any future changes in standards limits can be made via a simple download from Microtest's web site to update the tool; Microtest guarantees the OMNIScanner LT will meet Category 6 standards(a). OMNIScanner LT is compatible with Microtest's line of OMNIScanner accessories, including all link and channel adapters as well as the OMNIFiber(TM) and new single-mode fiber optic test adapter, OMNIFiber(TM) SM. The OMNIScanner LT is also fully compatible with Microtest's suite of PC companion software, Scanlink(TM) Tools, for managing test results and tool configurations.

"The new OMNIScanner LT takes advantage of cost economies we now enjoy on the OMNIScanner measurement system. And, by trimming the feature set to only the essentials, we can offer advanced cable testing at a new low price," said Robert Vandevoort, managing director of Asia Pacific and Latin American Operations. "OMNIScanner LT is software, firmware and operationally compatible with our other OMNIScanners. This instills confidence with new as well as existing customers familiar with the OMNIScanner," he continued.

The suggested retail price of OMNIScanner LT is US $4,995; it is available now from authorized distributors throughout Asia Pacific and Latin America. OMNIScanner LT combines the power of the OMNIScanner2 measurement system with a reduced feature set and cost reduced packaging to achieve its aggressive price objectives. For more demanding applications, the flagship OMNIScanner2 is recommended with an additional USB interface, flash memory card slot, brighter display and longer lasting NiMH batteries.

Microtest's purpose is to bring people and information together with innovative technology that simplifies evolving networks. Microtest is a leader in network test and measurement products such as OMNIScanner(TM)2, PentaScanner(R), CertiFiber(R), and OMNIFiber(TM), and network appliance and storage products such as FileZerver(TM), DiscZerver(TM), and LinuxZerver(TM). Headquartered in Phoenix, Microtest has international offices in Munich, Germany; Crawley, United Kingdom; Beijing, China; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Guadalajara, Mexico and Singapore. Visit Microtest at www.microtest.com.

(a) The OMNIScanner LT must be fully operational and calibrated.