IPTV Service Roll Out Simplified and Video Quality of Experience Assured with Spirent Tech-X Plus™

Business Wire, Oct 23, 2007

Spirent Tech-X to Validate Both IP Video Content and Transport Network

SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- Spirent Communications plc (LSE:SPT), a global provider of performance analysis and service management solutions, today announced the ability to conduct IP video quality testing on its Tech-X Plus, the market leading hand-held field tester for Triple Play networks and services. With this new feature, Spirent enables field technicians to verify IPTV subscribers' Quality of Experience (QoE) by measuring both the transport network and video content. This provides a more thorough service quality measurement and an accurate indication of the subscribers' viewing experience.

"As service providers roll out IPTV globally, they are under tremendous pressure to get the quality of service and viewing experience right from the first time the service is turned-up," said Jeff Heynen, directing analyst, Broadband and IPTV at Infonetics Research. "Today, many field technicians watch the video stream on the subscriber's TV and make a subjective decision on the quality. This is not only time consuming, but it also does not scale as service providers begin deploying IPTV to million of homes."

Spirent Tech-X Plus is the industry's finest standardized field tester to measure Video Mean Opinion Scores (MOS) to validate quality of service objectively. Furthermore, by testing the transport network along with the video content, field technicians can isolate quickly and easily if service issues are transport or video stream related.

"Service providers that offer traditional voice and IP based data services need a field tester that enables them to simplify the installation of residential IP Video," said Sean Yarborough, director of marketing, Field Test Services at Spirent Communications. "With this latest introduction on Tech-X Plus, Spirent allows service providers to roll out triple play services that maintain and exceed subscribers' QoE expectations."

Unlike existing industry solutions that only support transport-based measurements such as jitter, delay, and loss, Spirent Tech-X Plus goes beyond standard transport-based measurements and extends service visibility by analyzing actual video content such as I, B, and P frames. Measuring only transport-based measurements does not provide a "full picture" of the subscriber's viewing experience.

Spirent Tech-X solution enables service providers to quickly and confidently deploy and maintain xDSL, FTTx, and IP-based services. Its automated expert diagnostics accelerate the field troubleshooting process by analyzing and correlating various test results to identify faults and prioritize those with the greatest impact on service. By using this solution, service providers experience the benefits of reduced repeat rates for network installation and repair, and shorter job completion times for Triple Play network work orders.

About Spirent Communications plc

Spirent Communications (www.spirentcom.com) is a global provider of integrated performance analysis and service assurance systems that enable the development and deployment of next-generation networking technology such as Internet telephony, broadband services, 3G wireless, global navigation satellite systems, and network security equipment. Spirent Communications' solutions are used by more than 1,700 customers in 30 countries, including the world's largest equipment manufacturers, service providers, enterprises and governments. Based in Sunnyvale, CA, Spirent Communications has 1,500 employees worldwide.

Spirent Communications plc Ordinary shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange (ticker:SPT). The Company operates a Level 1 American Depositary Receipt ("ADR") programme with each ADR representing four Spirent Communications plc Ordinary shares. The ADRs trade in the US over-the-counter ("OTC") market under the symbol SPMYY and the CUSIP number is 84856M209. Spirent Communications' sales to the United States government are made through Spirent Federal Systems Inc. www.spirentfederal.com

Spirent, Spirent Communications and the Spirent logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Spirent Communications plc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks mentioned herein are held by their respective companies. All rights reserved.

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