TRADE NEWS: Agilent Technologies' New Optical Plug-in Modules Lower Testing Costs, Improve Speed of Optical Network Installation

Business Wire, Nov 7, 2001

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 7, 2001

Dual-standard Interface Modules Allow Field Technicians to Test and

Troubleshoot OC-12/STM-4 and OC-48c/STM-16 Optical Equipment

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today introduced two new optical plug-in modules for its expanding family of Agilent Service Advisor tablet testing solutions. The dual-standard interface modules reduce the cost of equipping field technicians to test and troubleshoot optical equipment and circuits operating at OC-12/STM-4 and OC-48c/STM-16 transmission rates, while speeding deployment of advanced network services.

The modules can be used to terminate or monitor optical circuits, and can also operate in pass-through mode to perform in-service testing. Technicians can perform a variety of physical layer tests, including measurement of the power and frequency of the optical signal received, as well as an extensive array of bit error rate (BER) tests.

Other optical module testing capabilities include status and alarm monitoring and testing of SONET/SDH circuits, error monitoring and error injection for troubleshooting network problems and testing of Automatic Protection Switching (APS) functions.

As part of a special introductory promotion, customers purchasing both new optical interface modules will receive a Service Advisor Tablet and a third non-optical Service Advisor testing module of their choice at no additional cost.

Agilent now offers 10 Service Advisor modules that support a full range of DSL, datacom, T-Carrier and SONET/SDH testing capabilities, at rates up to OC-48c/STM-16. The tablet platform provides field personnel with access to a wide variety of service-specific testing solutions on one portable, easy-to-use platform. The Service Advisor increases flexibility and reduces costs by allowing field organizations to share modules across users from one common equipment pool.

Detailed product information and technical specifications for the entire Service Advisor product line is available on the Web at www.agilent.com/comms/toolkit.> U.S. Pricing and Availability

Pricing and availability information for all Agilent Service Advisor products is available by calling 800/452-4844.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is a global technology leader in communications, electronics and life sciences. The company's 43,000 employees serve customers in more than 120 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $9.4 billion in fiscal year 2000, as restated to reflect the sale of its healthcare business. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.