Press Release

March 3, 2003- Rochester Telephone to Deploy New Fiber Optic Access Network from Wave7 Optics

Network Will Deliver Integrated Suite of “Optical Broadband” Video, Internet and Telephone Services via Wave7’s “Last Mile Link” to 4000 Homes and Businesses

ALPHARETTA, GA, March 3, 2003: Wave7 Optics today announced that Rochester Telephone will deploy the “Last Mile Link” (LML) system to build a new multi-million dollar “broadband” network with up to 300 times more capacity and “speed” than existing broadband systems offered by cable television and telephone companies, primarily cable modem and DSL (digital subscriber line), respectively. Rochester plans to deploy the LML over the next 24 months, with 1,500 homes and business connected by year-end 2003.

The LML is known as a “fiber to the home/business” (or, FTTx) architecture, which features a fiber optic line “premises connection,” instead of a traditional telephone or cable line. Because of the inherent high-bandwidth capabilities of fiber optic and Wave7’s exclusive architectural cost advantages, Rochester can provide each of their customers access speeds from 256 kbps up to a maximum of 500 Mbps at an installation price comparable to using existing cable or telephone lines. And, unlike the vast majority of competing broadband systems, these figures are symmetrical – meaning a user can send information at a rate equal to the “download” speed. The LML accommodates all existing home and business telephone and computer systems, meaning customers do not have to buy new equipment to get on the new network.

“After evaluating all the companies providing optical access equipment, we chose Wave7 Optics,” said Alan Terell, President of Rochester Telephone. “The bandwidth management flexibility provided by the Wave7 Optics System is very compelling, it will allow us to offer revenue generating applications to our customers today and well into the future.”

“We are very pleased to have been selected by Rochester Telephone,” said Tom Tighe, CEO of Wave7 Optics. “Our architecture is gaining favor because it provides all the services people have come to expect from telephone companies, such as guaranteed “lifeline” voice service, and new services which add to ‘quality of life,’ such as real-time interactive shopping and interactive gaming, video on demand, and super-fast movie downloads.”

The LML is a standards-based advanced optical access system that provides all traditional “carrier-grade” telephone services (including fax), high-speed data (e.g., Internet service) and both analog and digital video (including IP streaming video). Featuring industry-leading privacy and security encryption techniques and industry-leading “quality of service” mechanisms designed for business applications, the LML overcomes the high-fiber counts, limited distance range and high “central office” equipment costs that have stymied the growth of FTTx systems.

"We have studied access technology for over two years and are confident we have chosen the right product and company for the job,” said Ron Riggle, Director of Operations for Rochester Telephone. “Wave7 Optics’ unique RF return solution for enhanced video on demand services, coupled with its single fiber design makes the Last Mile Link System the most cost-effective and practical solution for deployment.”

About Rochester Telephone
Rochester Telephone is located in north central Indiana, 45 miles south of South Bend. RTC incorporated in 1895 and much of the company is still owned by second and third generation members of the founding families. The company provides some of the highest quality service and lowest rates in the country. RTC is the premier corporate citizen in the county providing leadership and support through many of the civic, charitable, and business organizations and economic development efforts. With 34 employees RTC serves 9,000 access lines in its LEC operation that covers 260 square miles. The company started a CLEC operation in a nearby Akron where they serve 650 access line and provide CATV. RTC also has 3,500 Internet access customers.

About Wave7 Optics
Wave7 Optics, Inc. is a market leader in the fiber-to-the-home and business (FTTX) optical access market. The Last Mile Link™ optical access system effectively overcomes traditional cost and implementation barriers to the bandwidth capacity bottleneck in the last mile of communications networks. Wave7 Optics’ innovative approach to optical access is a generation ahead of competitive PON technologies in both cost and capability. The Last Mile Link product suite provides solutions that specifically address residential, business and multi-tenant customers with a unifying architecture providing a complete triple play of voice, video, and data services. Additional information about Wave7 Optics is available on the web at www.wave7optics.com.

For more information please contact emmanuel.vella@w7optics.com.

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