TRADE NEWS: Agilent Technologies Accelerates Activation of DWDM Networks with Enhanced OSS Solution.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SUPERCOMM 2002

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 4, 2002

Expanded Agilent accessFIBER Solution Also Increases Efficiency,

Reduces Costs for the Planning, Deployment and Management of

All-Optical Networks

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) today introduced an enhancement to its modular optical network management solution that allows service providers to reduce by several days the time it takes to commission and activate DWDM (dense wave division multiplexing) networks. With the new Agilent accessFIBER DWDM application, service providers also are able to increase efficiency and reduce operational costs in the planning, deployment and management of the all-optical network (AON).

The enhanced solution reduces DWDM network activation time, and avoids costly service calls by detecting and troubleshooting traffic degradations and outages before customers are affected. Agilent accessFIBER combines end-to-end views of network documentation and integrated measurements, which are linked to the logical layer of the network -- key to optimizing network performance. With the expanded solution, service providers will be able to better monitor and manage their optical networks, receiving the information needed to automatically respond to demands for more or less bandwidth. A major U.S. carrier's estimates show a reduction of network activation time from 14 days to only 4 days.

"To achieve profitability quickly, service providers must reduce their installation and operational costs," said Horst Nill, manager for Agilent accessFIBER's Business Operations. "The new release of accessFIBER gives providers the means to integrate installation and commissioning measurements into existing network management and acceptance processes. This insight into the optical network helps reduce costs and bring new services up faster."

DWDM is a higher-capacity form of wave division multiplexing that multiplexes transmission wavelengths on one fiber to increase throughput and data speed without having to deploy additional fiber into the optical network. Within the next one to two years, the industry may see commercial optical transport systems that can handle one Terabit per second transport, creating the need for intelligent optical management solutions that can automate the planning, implementation and operation of these new and complex AONs.

The accessFIBER solution helps meet the challenges of adding DWDM in existing optical networks as well as designing and deploying new optical networks. Key enhancements include the following:

-- faster and more efficient planning and design of the DWDM-based network by
providing complete physical network information to the network planning
engineer;

-- predictable and optimized performance of DWDM networks and increased
efficiency in Lambda provisioning through integration of DWDM measurement
capabilities in DWDM workstations; and

-- reduced operational costs from complete control of the measurements setup
and execution through automated setup and testing, with results automatically
evaluated and compared to the original design and uploaded to a central
database for later reference.

The accessFIBER solution can be used as a standalone application or as part of an integrated solution with other accessFIBER modules. All modules are fully interoperable with other network management solutions, such as those from Nortel, and support current open integration standards such as CORBA, XML, SNMP or ODBC. More information on Agilent OSS is available on the Web at www.agilent.com/comms/oss.

Agilent in Communications

Agilent Technologies is a leading provider of components, test, measurement, monitoring and management solutions for the communications industry. Agilent enables designers, manufacturers and service providers to accelerate the delivery of next-generation devices, networks and services. Agilent's broad set of solutions and services includes optical, wireless, Internet and broadband technologies that span the entire communications life cycle.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) is a global technology leader in communications, electronics and life sciences. The company's 37,000 employees serve customers in more than 120 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $8.4 billion in fiscal year 2001. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.