CommScope Lauds Adoption of New Optical Fiber Cable Standard

August 26, 2009 RICHARDSON, Texas

CommScope Enterprise Solutions, a division of CommScope, Inc. (NYSE:CTV), is praising the publication authorization of a new standard for optical fiber suitable for manufacturing OM4 cables used in data center applications and local area networks.

The performance specifications of the Telecommunications Industry Association’s new TIA-492AAAD standard reflect those of CommScope’s SYSTIMAX® LazrSPEED® 550—the same visionary fiber solution that has been deployed in local area network and data center applications around the world since 2003. In addition, an International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) subcommittee is revising its multimode fiber standard for its fourth edition to add equivalent specifications.

“We are extremely pleased that the specifications of the emerging OM4 standards reflect those of our LazrSPEED 550 fiber solution and that those same standards will help guide future network applications standards that shape the data communications industry,” said Paul Kolesar, principal systems engineer and standards representative, CommScope Enterprise Solutions. “CommScope’s offerings are designed to meet and exceed standards years ahead of standardization, providing customers with solutions that support both current and future applications. Choosing a SYSTIMAX offering with LazrSPEED 550 cabling provides confidence in network connectivity through quality, performance, reliability and longer-term applications support to extend the life of the network and thereby protect customers’ cabling investments.”

For more than five years, CommScope’s LazrSPEED 550, the first OM4 optical fiber solution on the market, has supported the higher speeds and longer distances necessary to enable the latest data center and LAN applications for customers. LazrSPEED 550 has been installed at hospitals, corporate campuses, stadiums, universities, resort-style hotels and casinos, government and office buildings, and by any customer seeking the advantage of high-performance network infrastructure solutions that enable mission-critical, high-bandwidth and emerging applications. These same customers will continue to benefit as their cabling infrastructures seamlessly meet the emerging standards.

LazrSPEED 550 multimode fiber is ideal for new installations as it maximizes the reach and utility of low-cost multimode optical fiber applications from 1 Gbps to 100 Gbps. LazrSPEED 550 expands design possibilities by reallocating the available optical power budget, freeing up power otherwise needed for bandwidth penalties, to maximize support for all the current and emerging multimode Ethernet, Fibre Channel and InfiniBand applications. In recognition of its capabilities, the OM4 standard is now referenced within the draft standards for 40G/100G Ethernet and 16-Gigabit Fibre Channel.

With the setting of the OM4 standard, CommScope continues its history of influential innovation, following in the footsteps of the LazrSPEED 300 solution that provided the blueprint for the OM3 standard published in 2002. For almost a decade LazrSPEED 300 has shaped data center connectivity bolstered by the adoption of OM3 within Ethernet, Fibre Channel and InfiniBand applications.

“With LazrSPEED 550, CommScope continues its legacy of looking out for the needs of its customers by providing a product that not only provides the highest performance, but also safeguards their IT investment,” said Luc Adriaenssens, senior vice president, R&D and technology, CommScope Enterprise Solutions. “When customers implement a solution that becomes compliant with future technology standards, that brings them peace-of-mind that they made the right decision for their data centers, and that’s a very reassuring feeling to have. Just ask a CommScope customer and you’ll find those feelings are pretty common.”

LazrSPEED 550 Quick Facts

  • Laser-optimized cable meets and exceeds OM3 and emerging OM4 cabling and fiber specification standards
  • Provides at least 4,700 MHz•km effective modal bandwidth at 850 nm
  • Provides at least 3,500 MHz•km overfilled modal bandwidth at 850 nm
  • Provides at least 500 MHz•km overfilled modal bandwidth at 1300 nm
  • Supports low-complexity 10-Gbps serial transmission to 550 meters, and exceeds 150 meters for 40 Gbps and 100 Gbps speeds

CommScope Enterprise Solutions, a division of CommScope, Inc., offers a complete portfolio of network infrastructure solutions that enable enterprise customers, regardless of size, industry or IT budget, to take advantage of business and technology opportunities. The division’s SYSTIMAX® and Uniprise® product lines offer voice, data, video and converged solutions ranging from mission-critical, high-bandwidth and emerging applications to applications that demand unrelenting reliability and quality for everyday needs. Backed by CommScope Labs, the product lines are delivered through a global channel network of industry-leading BusinessPartners and distributors, ensuring a consistent and high-level of service and support worldwide.

About CommScope

CommScope, Inc. (NYSE: CTV – www.commscope.com) is a world leader in infrastructure solutions for communication networks. Through its AndrewSolutions™ brand, it is a global leader in radio frequency subsystem solutions for wireless networks. Through its SYSTIMAX® and Uniprise® brands, CommScope is the global leader in structured cabling systems for business enterprise applications. It is also the premier manufacturer of coaxial cable for broadband cable television networks and one of the leading North American providers of environmentally secure cabinets for DSL and FTTN applications. Backed by strong research and development, CommScope combines technical expertise and proprietary technology with global manufacturing capability to provide customers with infrastructure solutions for evolving global communications networks in more than 130 countries around the world.

This press release includes forward-looking statements that are based on information currently available to management, management’s beliefs, as well as on a number of assumptions concerning future events. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results to differ materially from those currently expected. For a more detailed description of the factors that could cause such a difference, please see CommScope’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In providing forward-looking statements, the company does not intend, and is not undertaking any obligation or duty, to update these statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

News Media Contact:
Fiona Nolan, CommScope
+353 1 2042000 or fnolan@commscope.com