FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New White Paper from TIA's Fiber Optics LAN Section Addresses Misconceptions About Fiber in Local Area Networks

May 20, 2002 -- Arlington, Va. - The Fiber Optics LAN Section (FOLS) of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) today released a white paper that addresses common concerns about the migration from a copper-based solution to one based on optical fiber in local area networks (LANs). The paper was developed to help network managers, MIS users, engineers and installers evaluate the benefits and the value of fiber for use in LANs. "The Truth About Fiber in Local Area Networks" is now ready to download by visiting the FOLS Web site.

In the white paper, FOLS members address five misconceptions about fiber in the LAN that traditionally have left network managers wary of taking fiber all the way to the desktop when they upgrade their networks:

• Fiber strength: Well-designed optical fiber cable has a maximum allowed pulling force that is ten times greater than unshielded twisted pair copper cables. Plus, its small size and light weight make it easier to handle in confined duct spaces. Fiber is able to survive the typical office environment and the extremes of the outside plant environment.
  
  
• Network performance: Unlike copper, fiber is immune to magnetic interference and crosstalk, offers greater electrical safety, reduced network downtime, and information security - an especially attractive feature for financial institutions, factory owners and the government.
  
  
• Ease of installation: New generations of connectors are making fiber installations easier and faster. Pre-polished, field installable connectors eliminate the need for epoxy and polishing procedures, reduce the connection time per connector, and thus reduce the labor costs of an installation. Testing is easier, too. Technicians can verify horizontal fiber links by simply measuring the attenuation of the optical fiber link with a low-cost Optical Loss test set.
  
  
• LAN electronics costs: With increased familiarity to installers, new technology fiber optic apparatus have decreased overall installation costs. Greater simplicity of fiber-based hubs, concentrators, network interface cards (NICs) and media converters make for lower costs and eliminates the need to pull new cable to support higher data rates for most applications. Fiber also reduces maintenance costs and longer supported distances also mean fewer closets and building space fees.
  
  
• Migrating from copper to fiber: Media converters allow seamless links between different media types and allow the use of still-functional electronics. MIS managers with all-copper networks can thus bring fiber into their network on an as-needed basis. In addition, new connector types allow higher port densities than traditional fiber connectors -- so there is no need to expand the rack space to complete a transition.

"Network managers need to have accurate information when they plan their network upgrades," said John Struhar, FOLS chair and Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff at OFS. "In this white paper, our members have addressed many of the myths that still persist about the use of optical fiber in LANs so that users can make an educated decision about their cabling infrastructure."

Struhar explained that many network managers see the benefit of installing fiber in the backbones and risers. "Fiber offers greater bandwidth capacity, increases their network's longevity, and reduces downtime and maintenance costs." The mission of the FOLS is to help users understand how fiber can benefit their organizations in the horizontal portion of their networks, as well. According to Struhar, "In today's Internet-driven society, where massive amounts of data need to be moved quickly and reliably, and networks are being pushed to higher and higher data rates, fiber is rapidly becoming the best cabling choice, all the way to the desktop." He added that fiber-based architectures are also extremely cost effective, in many cases at parity with, or even lower than UTP copper networks.

Additional information on the FOLS, along with technical, application and standards information can be found on the section's Web site.

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The Fiber Optic LAN Section (FOLS) of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) is a consortium of leading fiber optic cable, component and electronics manufacturers. The FOLS focuses on educating end users and influencers about the technical advantages and affordability that optical transmission brings to local area networks and fiber-to-the-desk applications. Member companies of the FOLS include 3M/Volition, AMP NETCONNECT, Allied Telesyn, Aura Networks, Berk-Tek, Belden Wire & Cable, CommScope Inc., Corning, Corning Cable Systems, Leviton Voice & Data, GarrettCom, Inc., Lucent Technologies, Micro Linear, Panduit, Ortronics, The Siemon Company, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave, Sun Conversion Technologies, and Transition Networks.

TIA is the leading trade association servicing the communications and information technology industry, with proven strengths in market development, trade shows, domestic and international advocacy, standards development and enabling e-business. Through its worldwide activities, the association facilitates business development opportunities and a competitive market environment. The association provides a market-focused forum for its more than 1,100 member companies that manufacture or supply the products and services used in global communications. TIA represents the communications sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA). Visit TIA online at http://www.tiaonline.org.

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Note: The opinions expressed in this release are those of the Fiber Optics LAN Section of the Telecommunications Industry Association and are not necessarily those of the entire TIA membership.