(EMAILWIRE.COM, September 16, 2002 ) Gigabit Optics, a leading provider of integrated photonics components, announced on September 16 at the National Fiber Optical Engineer Conference (NFOEC) (booth # 3118) the release of its first product, MicroMux -- the smallest and least expensive Course Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) multiplexer/demultiplexer in the world.

MicroMux, which incorporates Gigabit Optics' revolutionary packaging technology for OEMs in the telecom and cable TV industries, is one-sixth the size of the closest announced competitor and 1/200 the size of currently available products. Additionally, Gigabit Optics' unique technology is the lowest cost available on the market today, achieving this low price point by greatly reducing assembly time, increasing manufacturing yields and reducing the number of components. Gigabit Optics anticipates that, relative to previous generation products, its pricing will be 30%-50% less expensive, depending upon volume.

MicroMux is designed to address the most significant remaining opportunity in optical networking today -- upgrading Metro Area Networks (MANs), to effectively and continually accommodate large increases in packet based data traffic. With continued increase in demand for data of 70-100% per year, Metro carriers are increasingly relying on CWDM as essential, cost-effective, transport architecture. Unlike Dense WDM, (DWDM), which is used primarily in long haul networks, systems based on CWDM technology employ uncooled distributed-feedback (DFB) lasers and wideband optical filters. These technologies provide several advantages to CWDM systems, including lower power dissipation, smaller size and less cost.

"Growing demand for data translates into increased demand for bandwidth," said Pat Edsell, CEO of Gigabit Optics. "CWDM is proving to be the most cost-effective solution for addressing this demand in Metro networks as is evidenced by the significant interest among telecommunications and cable systems vendors. Our mission is to reduce the size and cost of CWDM -- and with MicroMux we've accomplished that goal."

MicroMux's patent-pending technology was conceived by Jenkin Richard and Eric Chamness, co-founders of Gigabit Optics, who are veterans of the photonics industry. Complimenting the founders' technical expertise, CEO Pat Edsell, former CEO of Spectra Physics, brings 18 years of management experience in high-tech to the firm.

MicroMux prototypes are currently undergoing Telecordia testing and evaluation by major optical networking OEMs. Gigabit Optics expects to ship MicroMux in Q4 2002. MicroMux is the first in a series of products based on Gigabit Optics' unique technology platform scheduled for release over the next six to nine months.

About Gigabit Optics

Gigabit Optics Corporation, an integrated photonics company, has developed a micro-optical platform that enables a variety of optical networking products with substantially smaller form factor and lower cost. The company's micro-optical subassemblies are targeted to transceiver and optical networking system OEMs, optical networking subsystems manufacturers and cable TV system manufacturers. Founded in June 2000, the company has secured funding from Enterprise Partners, Ridgewood Capital and Walden Partners. Gigabit Optics is headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA. Additional information can be found at www.gigabitoptics.com.

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Produced for Gigabit Optics Corporation

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