Anixter Testing Confirms - Lucent Technologies Raises Bar on Cable Performance

Business Wire, April 13, 2000

Business Editors

SKOKIE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 13, 2000

Live network testing by Anixter (NYSE: AXE), a leading distributor of products for use in data communications networks, has confirmed that Lucent Technologies' (NYSE: LU) new 81-series GigaSPEED(R) Enhanced UTP cable when combined with Lucent's GigaSPEED connectivity products form a channel with unparalleled ultra-wide bandwidth capabilities.

Anixter, under its Levels program, has been conducting tests of various cabling solutions that provide convincing evidence that cabling products meeting the requirements of existing industry standards still may not perform as expected under the real-world stresses of a live data network.

Says Anixter's VP of Marketing, Steve Keller, "Our Levels program testing clearly demonstrates the value of significant channel margin over the CAT 6 specification as offered by Lucent's GigaSPEED solution. The standards alone simply do not ensure your data network will run efficiently."

"There are different classes of structured cabling solutions offered in the market for data applications," notes Tom McNeil, Senior Manager of SYSTIMAX(R) Offer Management for Lucent. "Anixter's recent findings confirm the need for cabling systems that are specifically designed as an end-to-end tuned channel, such as the SYSTIMAX GigaSPEED and PowerSum Solutions. Meeting the standards alone is not enough to ensure that you are getting the absolute maximum data transfer performance out of your system."

Adds Luc Adriaenssens, Bell Labs - Director of R&D for SYSTIMAX Structured Connectivity Solutions, "Anixter's Levels program has proven the value of how Lucent has always designed its SYSTIMAX solutions. A tuned system is necessary to achieve maximum network performance. Anixter is providing a valuable service to its customers by showing the potential weakness of mix-and-match solutions."

Anixter is widely recognized as operating one of the most advanced testing laboratories in the network cabling industry, and has been instrumental in the development and implementation of electrical performance verification testing. Anixter continues to lead the industry with its Levels program by establishing performance specifications that far exceed existing industry standards and by

addressing real-world application issues exposed by emerging technologies.

Explaining the purpose of the Anixter Levels Lab testing, Pete Lockhart, Anixter's VP of Technology states, "When data is transmitted over cable, a number of quality and environmental factors can prevent the data from getting through. We have recently determined that data transmissions can also be hindered if the cables, connectors and other components in the channel are not properly matched, even if those components individually met the highest specifications before installation."

Lockhart added that Lucent offers complete, tuned end-to-end channel solutions that comply entirely with the rigorous demands of Anixter's Levels specifications. "This includes Anixter's most recent channel tests on Lucent's new GigaSPEED solution featuring the 2081 cable, MGS300 information outlets and D8CM modular cords."

By the end of September, Lucent Technologies intends to spin off its enterprise communications systems, business cabling and LAN-based data networking businesses, including SYSTIMAX Structured Connectivity Solutions, into a separate $8 billion company focused on delivering next-generation communications networks for enterprises. The new company will be the worldwide leader in messaging and call centers, the U.S. leader in voice communications systems, and will have the largest sales and services force in the industry.

Lucent Technologies, headquartered in Murray Hill, N.J., USA, designs and delivers the systems, software, silicon and services for next-generation communications networks for service providers and enterprises. Backed by the research and development of Bell Labs, Lucent focuses on high-growth areas such as optical and wireless networks; Internet infrastructure; communications software; communications semiconductors and optoelectronics; Web-based enterprise solutions that link private and public networks; and professional network design and consulting services. For more information on Lucent Technologies, visit its Web site at http://www.lucent.com.

Anixter Inc. is the world's leading distributor of data communication products and electrical wire and cable. Founded in 1957, the company now employs more than 5,000 people in 180 cities throughout the world. Anixter customers benefit from the company's technical expertise and market specialization and have access to Best-in-Class products through Anixter's partnerships with the world's leading manufacturers.