Marconi Optical Components to Provide High Performance Solutions to Build Next Generation Optical Networks
Source: Marconi plc
New Business to Provide Leading-Edge Photonic Component Solutions From State-of-the-Art Facility
Pittsburgh, PA. Marconi (Nasdaq: MONI; London), a global provider of advanced communications solutions, today announced the official launch of Marconi Optical Components with the release of a range of leading-edge photonic components for next generation high performance optical networks.
The newly launched business already has 300 engineers and scientists dedicated to optical technology and the ability to rapidly re-deploy an additional 1,000 Marconi personnel to optical component manufacturing as the business scales. Through a major investment program, it plans to establish a new 200,000 square foot state-of-the-art manufacturing facility by mid-2002 to reinforce its existing facilities.
At this week s Optical Fiber Conference (OFC) in Anaheim, California, the business will demonstrate its product portfolio, which includes wide tuning range and high power tunable lasers; Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) based 10Gbps and 40Gbps modulators; and Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers (EDFA). The new business will also introduce the Terabit Engine(TM), a breakthrough in optical components offering highly integrated optical functionality on a single chip.
"Through activities at its Caswell laboratories, Marconi has an impressive background in photonic research and development," said John S. Lively, Director, Optical Components for RHK, Inc. "The achievements so far should position Marconi Optical Components to compete very well at the high end of the optical components performance curve. Marconi should also benefit from its decades of experience in manufacturing electronic components, something few other new entrants to the optical components industry have."
"Our business combines the pace and energy of a start-up with the credibility and R&D leadership of an established player," said Dr. David Parker, President and Chief Executive Officer, Marconi Optical Components. "By exploiting our leading-edge technology and capability portfolio, we can offer differentiated and competitive products and solutions to meet our customers needs worldwide. We will immediately establish a profile as a merchant supplier targeting a substantial increase in sales to third party manufacturers. Additionally our products will continue to enhance the position of Marconi Optical Networks, a key customer for our new business."
About Marconi plc
Marconi plc is a global communications and IT company with around 55,000 employees world-wide. Marconi has research and development facilities in 19 countries, manufacturing operations in 16 countries, and serves customers in over 100 countries. It supplies advanced communications solutions and the key technologies and services for the Internet. Marconi plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange and Nasdaq under the symbol MONI. Additional information about Marconi can be found at www.marconi.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to products, partners, customers, future growth and other matters. Please refer to the Form 20-F report and Form 6-K reports filed by Marconi plc with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements.
All rights reserved. All brands or product names are trademarks of their respective holders. CONTACT: Jim Blew, Media Relations of Marconi, 724-742-7745, or james.blew@marconi.com.
Contact: Jim Blew, Media Relations of Marconi Tel: 724-742-7745 james.blew@marconi.com
Jim Blew, Media Relations of Marconi
Tel: 724-742-7745
james.blew@marconi.com
E-mail: james.blew@marconi.com
Web site: http://www.marconi.com
