High Power and High Reliability Combine to Enable the Next Generation of High Bandwidth Undersea Systems to Meet the Demands of Increasing Internet Traffic
Ottawa (Nepean), Ontario, San Jose, California and Paris, France - March 14, 2001 - JDS Uniphase Corporation (NASDAQ: JDSU and TSE: JDU) and Alcatel Optronics (Paris: CGO and Nasdaq: ALAO) announced today that they have reached an agreement to extend the supply of 980-nm laser chips and pump stabilizers manufactured by the former SDL to Alcatel Optronics through the year 2003. These 980-nm chips are used in pump modules manufactured by Alcatel Optronics for use in undersea fiber optic networks. The decision to extend the agreement follows the successful joint qualification and production of the new laser diode, the latest generation of high power 980-nm pump chips. This device, when packaged in Alcatel Optronics' Submarine Qualified Pump Module package, provides 200 mw of reliable power in the harsh undersea environment. Alcatel Optronics' 980-nm pumps are designed to operate with extremely low failure rates over a service lifetime of more than 25 years.
According to Gregory P. Dougherty, Chief Operating Officer of JDS Uniphase's Amplification and Transmission Business Group, "Our partnership with Alcatel Optronics has provided cutting-edge solutions to respond to the explosive demand for bandwidth in the undersea network market segment. This rapid growth, along with the technical challenges associated with the market for undersea optical components, requires a high level of close collaboration. We believe the extension of this agreement will allow us to continue to work together to meet our customers' need for more bandwidth with high quality and high performance products manufactured at volume production levels."
"This is a win-win situation as both Alcatel Optronics and JDS Uniphase are leaders in their fields of expertise," said Philippe Bregi, Chief Operating Officer of Alcatel Optronics. "As the world leader in packaged submarine pumps, Alcatel Optronics will continue to benefit from its close collaboration with JDS Uniphase by enlarging its submarine customer base and continuing to satisfy the need for highly reliable, leading-edge technology."
About JDS Uniphase
JDS Uniphase, headquartered in Nepean, Ontario and San Jose, California, is a high technology company that designs, develops, manufactures and distributes a comprehensive range of products for the growing fiberoptic communications market. These products are deployed by system manufacturers worldwide to develop advanced optical networks for the telecommunications and cable television industries. JDS Uniphase Corporation is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol JDSU and the exchangeable shares of JDS Uniphase Canada Ltd. are traded on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol JDU. More information on JDS Uniphase is available at www.jdsuniphase.com.
About Alcatel Optronics
Alcatel Optronics designs, manufactures and sells high performance optical components, modules and integrated sub-systems for use in terrestrial and submarine optical telecommunications networks. Operating state-of-the-art manufacturing plants in North America and Europe, Alcatel Optronics is a leading supplier of DWDM lasers, photodetectors, optical amplifiers, high-speed interface modules and key passive devices such as arrayed waveguide multiplexers and Fiber Bragg Grating filters. It also has experience in integrating active and passive components and modules into sub-systems. The Optronics Division is part of Alcatel's Optics Group which comprises Alcatel's world-leading activities in optical networking, including submarine and terrestrial transmission systems, fiber optics and optical components. For more information, visit Alcatel Optronics on the Internet: www.alcatel.com/optronics.
About Alcatel
Alcatel is the only vendor to master all optical network elements, from optical components, optical fibers, DWDM systems and microwave radio links to core routers and network intelligence, and from terrestrial to submarine solutions. Alcatel is also the only company to provide both terrestrial and marine services for the installation and maintenance of global, seamless optical networks. According to RHK's 2000 study, Alcatel holds the number two position in global optical transport market with 20% market share, distancing itself from other competitors. RHK also reported that Alcatel reaffirms its number one position in submarine networks with 41% worldwide market share. Moreover, Alcatel claims to be the world leader in total terrestrial and submarine DWDM systems, in digital cross-connects, which contain the enabling technology for operators to offer high bandwidth services, in SDH networks and in microwave radio links. Alcatel's optics business comprises terrestrial and submarine transmission systems, fiber optics, optical components and microwave radio links. Alcatel has launched a new class of Alcatel stock that is intended to track the performance of Alcatel Optronics, the Company's optical component business.
Alcatel builds next generation networks, delivering integrated end-to-end voice and data networking solutions to established and new carriers, as well as enterprises and consumers worldwide. With 130,000 employees and sales of EURO 31 billion in 2000, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries. For more information, visit Alcatel on the Internet: http://www.alcatel.com.
The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. These statements may be identified by their use of forward-looking terminology such as "believe" and similar words. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the terms and extension period of the agreement, the high power, high reliability, low failure rates and service lifetimes of JDS Uniphase's 980-nm pump chip, the explosive demand for bandwidth and the rapid growth in the undersea network market, and the agreement enabling JDS Uniphase to continue to meet Alcatel's demand for more bandwidth with high quality and high performance products at volume production levels. It is important to note that either company's actual results could differ materially from those in any such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include risks related to manufacturing processes and capacity, yield fluctuations, JDS Uniphase's inability to achieve the required performance and reliability levels, order cancellations, a decrease in the anticipated market development and deployment of undersea networks, and the risk factors listed from time to time in JDS Uniphase's SEC reports, including but not limited to JDS Uniphase's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 30, 2000.
For further information
JDS Uniphase
Press Contact:
Jeff Wild
+1 408 434 1800
Investor Relations Contact:
Steve Moore
+1 408 434 1800
Alcatel
Press Contact
Laurent de Segonzac
+33 (0) 1 40 76 15 04
Laurent.de-segonzac@alcatel.fr
Guy Mesquida / Alcatel Optronics
+33 (0) 1 64 49 49 03
guy.mesquida@alcatel.fr
Investor Relations
Charlotte Laurent-Ottomane
+1 (703) 715 3927
charlotte.laurent-ottomane@alcatel.fr
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