Corning PurePath Optical Networking Device Incorporated Into Marconi's Next Generation WDM Product

Business Wire, June 6, 2000

Business Editors

SUPERCOMM 2000

CORNING, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 6, 2000

Corning Incorporated (NYSE: GLW) announced today that Marconi Communications, a key supplier to 80% of the world's telecommunications organizations, will incorporate Corning's PurePath(TM) Dynamic Spectral Equalizer into the design of Marconi's next generation Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) product, part of its SMARTPHOTONIX product line.

Marconi's SMARTPHOTONIX is an integrated family of products that supports optical transmission in long-haul and metropolitan networks. It includes the PMA-32, a 32-40 channel WDM system targeted at regional and interoffice segments of communications networks. "Corning supplies one of the key components for the PMA-32's proprietary optical add/drop multiplexer. It provides the flexibility and reach required by today's service providers," said Dave Lewis, Executive Vice President and General Manager Optical Networks, Marconi Communications.

Corning's PurePath Dynamic Spectral Equalizer can be used to individually access wavelength channels to equalize channel power, to drop and continue, or to block channels completely. Based on liquid crystal technology, the 1x1 device can individually attenuate 40 channels at 100 GHz spacing, and is extendable to 80 channels at 50 GHz. In March, the Technical Committee of the Optical Fiber Communications conference recognized the PurePath Dynamic Spectral Equalizer as one of the ten best new products of the meeting.

Corning has shipped samples to Marconi for integration into their new system. "Marconi's product has unique optical requirements. Meeting these requirements confirms the value that Corning is offering the optical networking market," said John Bayne, product line manager for Corning Optical Networking Devices.

In September 1999, Corning, a world leader in optical technology, demonstrated and launched its family of PurePath(TM) optical networking devices designed to extend the reach of long-haul and metro DWDM networks by improving signal quality. The products permit more network functions to be performed in the optical layer, while minimizing the spectral impairments, which typically limit the reach of optical networks.

Additional information on rest of Corning's extensive line of photonic products is available on Corning's Photonic Technologies Division website at www.corningphotonics.com.

Established in 1851, Corning Incorporated (www.corning.com) creates leading-edge technologies for the fastest-growing markets of the world's economy. Corning manufactures optical fiber, cable and photonic products for the telecommunications industry; and high-performance displays and components for television and other communications-related industries. The company also uses advanced materials to manufacture products for scientific, semiconductor and environmental markets. Corning's revenues in 1999 were $4.3 billion.