Panasonic Announces First Broadband Testing Module For Notebook PCs.

Business Editors

SECAUCUS, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 25, 2002

Computer Solutions Provider Expands Integrated Diagnostic Testing Modules For Ruggedized Toughbook(R) Notebook PCs For Telecom Industry

Panasonic Computer Solutions Company, the leading provider of ruggedized portable computers, and the leading vendor of rugged notebook and sub notebook shipments to the field-service sector* announced today an integrated diagnostic testing module.

This revolutionary new product, the Dual T1, is a full-featured signal-level meter manufactured by Sunrise Telecom, Inc., the recognized industry leader for telecommunications testing solutions. Designed in a modular form factor, it can be integrated into the multimedia bays of Panasonic's legendary fully ruggedized Toughbook 27 or 28 notebook PCs. Utilizing the Dual T1 test module allows for easy field software upgrades, as well as flexibility to add additional testing capabilities as T1 testing requirements change.

"By providing the power of Sunrise's Telcom's diagnostic testing capabilities into a module that can be integrated into Panasonic Toughbooks, we are providing telecommunications technicians the ability to harness the processing power of a portable computer with a sunlight-readable color display and store the testing data results on the notebook's PCs hard drive. The cost of testing can now be reduced for both the acquisition and life-cycle events as there is no dedicated display, power supply, user- interface controls, or separate battery, comments Rance Poehler, president of Panasonic Computer Solutions. "Additionally, the tech now has a ruggedized, full-featured state-of-the-art notebook PC that can provide wireless local and wide area communications, GPS, and a wide variety of multimedia capabilities," further notes Poehler.

This device is the second value-add product to be launched as part of a solution-based diagnostic product development program targeting field service in the telecommunications industry. The first testing module that Panasonic co-developed was a telephone-line tester designed by Tempo. This innovation is now recognized as part of one of the largest wirelessly enabled notebook PC deployment in field-service history. The customer, SBC Communications, designated Panasonic's Toughbook with telephone line tester an "Intelligent Field Device" as part of their Tech of The Future program. That deployment today accounts for over 35,000 Toughbook 27s since it's initiation and has significantly increased productivity.

The new Sunrise Dual T1 integrated modular testing device has been extensively researched and cost-justified by some of the industries leading telecommunications providers in conjunction with leading third-party consulting enterprises. Companies can realize the immediate financial benefits through reduced costs and improved technician productivity and provide the required testing functionality that today's networks and customers demand. Panasonic's integrated Tempo telephone line-tester did the work of seven different, bulky, unwieldy devices. With the advent of the new Sunrise tester, the days of having to acquire multiple test sets and upgrades as new technologies emerge can be now be avoided.

PCSC will continue to offer diagnostic solution based modular testing offerings including a Cable Modem module with DOCSIS capability, a Spectrum Analyzer module, a Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR) module, and an Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) module.

* According to Venture Development Corporation's "The Global

Markets For Rugged Mobile Computers" -Volume I

Panasonic Computer Solutions Company

Panasonic Computer Solutions Company is the leading provider of ruggedized notebook PCs for mobile professionals in the USA. The company is a unit company of Matsushita Electric Corporation of America, the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. of Japan (NYSE: MC), which recorded annual sales of $51.70 billion in the most recent fiscal year. Matsushita Electric is one of the only manufacturers today that directly controls the process of design, manufacture and quality assurance of its notebook PCs. Many key components, including LCD panels, Lithium Ion batteries, DVD and CD-ROM drives, and board-level electronics are the products of its divisions. The products, people and business of Panasonic Computer Solutions Company are entirely dedicated to the needs of the professional user, including Fortune 1000 business and government professionals. Panasonic also supplies mobile computing solutions to over 2,000 police departments in the United States.

Sunrise Telecom Inc.

Sunrise Telecom Inc. (Nasdaq: SRTI) manufactures and markets service verification equipment to pre-qualify, verify, and diagnose telecommunications, cable TV, and Internet networks. For more information, visit the company's website at www.sunrisetelecom.com

Note to Editors:

All brand and company/product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies. All specifications are subject to change without notice.

Information on Panasonic's full line of notebook PCs for the mobile professional can be obtained by calling 800 662 3537 or via the Internet at http://www.panasonic.com/toughbook.