Alcatel Optronics, CyOptics and Oki Launch the First Step to Jointly Define an MSA for 40Gbit/s Electro-absorption Modulator-based Products

To allow customers to benefit from the availability of compatible devices, Alcatel Optronics, CyOptics and Oki Electric recognize the importance of standardizing their respective 40Gbit/s electro-absorption based products. The three companies will work closely to define a MSA as soon as possible. This MSA is expected to have multiple phases. The first one covers pin-out and footprint standardization and is expected to be completed by the end of 2002. This will be followed immediately by standardization of the performance specification.

"We are proud to extend the previously demonstrated advantages of MSAs to 40Gbit/s modulation, providing a future proof solution allowing our customers to be confident of their 40Gbit/s development," explained Philippe Bregi, Chief Operating Officer of Alcatel Optronics. "Our company will continue to push standardization of optical components as it is the best way for system houses to avoid costly and time consuming system redesigns."

"This MSA will benefit our customers by significantly lowering the risk of adopting a cutting edge technology. CyOptics is very excited to be part of this co-operation effort with other EAM suppliers," said John Pilitsis, CEO of CyOptics.

"Oki believes this kind of joint effort for the MSA is definitely important to make customers accelerate, more significantly, the adoption of the 40Gbit/s EA modulator/driver on transmission systems," said Tetsuzo Taniguchi, President of Optical Components Company at Oki Electric.

The electro-absorption technology is used in compact products such as Electro-Absorption Modulators (EAM) and Electro-absorption Modulator Lasers (EML) with the possibility to integrate a driver circuit in the module. Thanks to its high bandwidth and low drive voltage, electro-absorption technology helps reduce power consumption and allows tighter integration within system cards.

Alcatel Optronics, CyOptics and Oki Electric will independently develop and market products based on this standard.

About Alcatel Optronics
Alcatel Optronics designs, manufactures and sells high performance optical components, modules and integrated sub-systems for use in terrestrial and submarine optical telecommunications networks. Operating state-of-the-art manufacturing plants in North America and Europe, Alcatel Optronics is a leading supplier of DWDM lasers, photodetectors, optical amplifiers, high-speed interface modules and key passive devices such as arrayed waveguide multiplexers and Fiber Bragg Grating filters. It also has experience in integrating active and passive components and modules into sub-systems. The Optronics Division is part of Alcatel's Optics Group which comprises Alcatel's world-leading activities in optical networking, including submarine and terrestrial transmission systems, fiber optics and optical components. For more information, visit Alcatel Optronics on the Internet: www.alcatel.com/optronics.

About CyOptics
CyOptics was founded in early 1999, to develop breakthrough Indium Phosphide technology for 10 and 40Gbit/s active optical components and is managed by leaders in the field of Optoelectronics component development, manufacturing and device packaging. The company is headquartered in Waltham, MA and has full optoelectronics component manufacturing capability, including wafer fabrication, regrowth, and characterization, as well as microelectronic packaging, test & qualification facilities. For more information about CyOptics, visit www.cyoptics.com, or call 781-529-1500.

About Oki Electric
Founded more than a century ago in 1881, Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. is Japan's first telecommunications manufacturer, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. With more than 25,000 employees worldwide, Oki Electric provides customers with top-quality products and technologies for telecommunication systems, information systems and electronic devices. The company has several in-house companies, including Optical Components Company, which specializes in development, manufacturing and marketing of high speed fiber optic devices/modules such as 40Gbit/s EAM and transceivers.