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Acterna Unveils Comprehensive Application System-2000 at SuperComm 2004, Booth # 23538

Posted on: Tuesday, 22 June 2004, 06:00 CDT

GERMANTOWN, Md., June 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Acterna today introduced the Comprehensive Application System (CAS-2000), a high density single-shelf test system designed to address the industry's need for a low-cost solution for edge-based testing of smaller metro applications. The CAS-2000 enables network operators to test evolving metro edge applications remotely and more cost- effectively.

With this launch, Acterna is extending the capabilities of the company's popular T3AS Test and Performance Monitoring System product line with a compact, low-cost, high-density entry level solution that manages digital services such as Digital Signal 1 (DS1) entirely through the next generation of edge elements. The CAS-2000 delivers an entry level DS1 test configuration at a significantly lower price and still enables full expansion into any DS3/1/0 application.

DS1 is a standard for digital transmission in telecommunication networks and forms the primary access critical to telecommunications network operators today. In North America, the DS1 is made up of 24 channels which are used to carry communications traffic between business end users which often lease multiple DS1s to handle their voice and data business needs. In today's networks, although one primary operator may be the owner, networks are often used by multiple service providers that lease sections of the network.

When a problem or customer complaint occurs, an operator must immediately identify the problem and isolate its location on the network in order to effectively resolve the issue. With Acterna's CAS-2000, network operators can immediately access, monitor and test the circuit to give the operator the information they need to ensure reliable service. The system helps operators manage their networks, maintain high network quality and increase customer satisfaction while reducing operating expenses associated with troubleshooting.

"Acterna is committed to providing its customers with the most effective solutions that drive efficiency and lower network operating costs -- the CAS- 2000 is a powerful tool that delivers service providers a low-cost choice for the growing DS1 remote test market," said Bruce Hembree, general manager of Acterna's WorkFlow Solutions division. "We have found in the market today that most systems lack the versatility and expandability of the CAS-2000. For example, a larger footprint is often required in most systems to accommodate the equivalent test capacity found in the CAS-2000."

Low cost and high density make the CAS-2000 the ideal remote test solution for the emerging edge-based DS1 remote test market, providing remote test coverage at multi-service provisioning platforms ("MSPP") and small DCS/ADMs for test access. With Acterna's CAS-2000, service providers are also equipped with critical testing capabilities and the added advantage of interoperability with a network's existing OSS infrastructure. In addition, the CAS-2000 deployment supports service providers by significantly decreasing operating expenses by reducing or eliminating unnecessary dispatches on DS1 faults.

Other features of the CAS-2000 include:

* Supports DS1 testing from a 3/1 Wideband Digital Cross-connect Systems

(WDCS) and two single Facilities Access Digroup (FAD) or Dual FAD

interfaces which provides full support for monitor and split access for

up to two DS3s per stand-alone configuration. Additional access and test

capability can be provided using additional subassemblies;

* Optimal DS1 testing capability in a compact solution supporting up to 16

single FAD or 14 Dual FAD DS1 tests per system;

* IP communication link for central office wide area networks or X.25

communication link for legacy data communication systems;

* Remote software download capabilities, eliminating the need for on-site

visits;

* Scalable architecture when used as an administration shelf allowing for

up to 8 additional T3AS subassembly shelves enabling support for up to

48 DS3s, 1120 DS1s or 448 DS1 test from multiple DCSs/TAUs;

* Operates under a variety of OSSs and supports a wide range of DCS and

test access devices.

Note to editors: For digital images of Acterna's featured products at SuperComm 2004, please log on to ftp://globalcommgraphics@ftp.en-ssi.acterna.com/SuperCommphotos/

About Acterna

Acterna is the world's largest provider of communications test solutions for telecommunications and cable network operators. A trusted communications test partner for more than eight decades, Acterna offers an unmatched portfolio of award-winning instruments, systems, software and services that help its customers reduce network costs while improving performance and reliability. Headquartered in Germantown, Maryland, USA -- with European and Asia-Pacific operations based in Eningen, Germany and Hong Kong -- Acterna serves nearly every major communications service provider and equipment manufacturer around the world through a skilled sales and support organization in 31 countries.

Acterna

CONTACT: Bernie Tylor of Acterna, +1-240-404-1913, orbernie.tylor@acterna.com

Web site: http://www.acterna.com/

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