Franklin & Marshall College Updates Fiber Infrastructure and Provides Future Capacity with ADC's TrueNet Structured Cabling Solutions

Business Wire, April 13, 2005

MINNEAPOLIS -- ADC (NASDAQ:ADCT; www.adc.com) today announced that Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa. has upgraded its fiber network infrastructure with ADC's TrueNet(R) Structured Cabling System. The network upgrade, installed by telecommunications integrator D&E Communications, provides future capacity for one of the finest residential liberal arts colleges in the United States.

"What I like about ADC's TrueNet fiber solutions is the fiber management and visibility they offer," said Tom Mahoney, network manager for Franklin & Marshall. "The ADC FL2000 system's swing-out panels make it easy to see what's happening, and the way the fibers are managed on the side is excellent. This is a four-phase project, but already our fiber plant is cleaner and better utilized."

Part of Franklin & Marshall's strategic plan for the future was to strengthen the campus community and to grow the college's physical resources. One of the obstacles to achieving these goals was an outdated fiber infrastructure that was quickly getting in the way of future growth.

"In the middle of last year, we knew an update of the fiber plant was imperative," said Mahoney. "We realized we had several kinds of boxes, as well as varied strand counts that were insufficient. It was time to establish standards and to put in place the right equipment to help us meet our growth goals."

When an out-of-band network was created to ensure redundancy, this only added to the pressure on the fiber plant. Franklin & Marshall engaged D&E Communications to conduct a comprehensive site analysis and install the fiber infrastructure equipment necessary to standardize the fiber plant on campus.

"We are excited to be working with D&E Communications on overhauling Franklin & Marshall's fiber infrastructure," said Jaxon Lang, director of product management, structured cabling solutions for ADC. "Our TrueNet fiber solutions are high-performance, flexible solutions that position us to support our users today and future-proof our network for tomorrow's emerging applications."

Among changes made to Franklin & Marshall's network:

--Upgraded the fiber infrastructure in nine campus buildings

--Proactively planned for future fiber capacity

--Remediated all issues with uncoordinated equipment

--Established infrastructure standards for future fiber installations

In a two-week timeline, D&E installed the new ADC infrastructure solutions without noticeable disruptions to service by the students, faculty and staff.

"It's a great thing when we can undertake major infrastructure projects like this without our students missing a beat," said Mahoney. "They can continue about the business of learning and we can continue to build for the future."

About TrueNet

ADC's TrueNet Structured Cabling System is an integrated portfolio of industry-leading enterprise network solutions combining proven cable, connectivity, and cable management solutions for fiber, 10 Gigabit Ethernet over UTP copper, and Category 6/5e from the data center to the desktop.

About Franklin & Marshall College

Franklin & Marshall is a residential college dedicated to excellence in undergraduate liberal education. Founded in 1787 with a contribution of two hundred English Pounds from Benjamin Franklin, the College has evolved into a highly respected institution that is committed to providing top-notch undergraduate liberal education to a diverse student community. Its aims are to inspire in young people of high promise and diverse backgrounds a genuine and enduring love for learning, to teach them to read, write, and think critically, to instill in them the capacity for both independent and collaborative action, and to educate them to explore and understand the natural, social, and cultural worlds in which they live. In so doing, Franklin & Marshall seeks to foster in its students qualities of intellect, creativity, and character, that they may live fulfilling lives and contribute meaningfully to their occupations, their communities, and their world. Franklin & Marshall can be found on the web at www.fandm.edu.

About D&E Communications

D&E Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:DECC) is an integrated communications provider offering high-speed data, Internet access, local and long distance telephone, voice and data networking, network management and security, and video services. Based in Lancaster County, D&E has been serving communities in central Pennsylvania for more than 100 years. For more information, visit www.decommunications.com.

About ADC

ADC provides the connections for wireline, wireless, cable, broadcast, and enterprise networks around the world. ADC's innovative network infrastructure equipment and professional services enable high-speed Internet, data, video, and voice services to residential, business and mobile subscribers. ADC (NASDAQ:ADCT) has sales into more than 150 countries. Learn more about ADC at www.adc.com.