FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 12, 2008

Casteel to Lead FOLS in 2008

Arlington, Va. - The Fiber Optics LAN Section (FOLS) of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) has elected its slate of officers for 2008. FOLS serves as an educational resource, providing information to users about the benefits of fiber in customer-owned networks. Visit FOLS at www.fols.org to access the organization's newly updated, free cost model, or to read case histories, fiber FAQs and standards updates.

Rodney Casteel, Global Fiber Applications Manager, CommScope Enterprise Solutions Group, was elected as Section Chair. "Rodney has been intimately involved with the FOLS for many years, serving as both Communications Chair and Vice Chair, and leading many of the Section's initiatives" said Andrew Oliviero, FOLS Chair in 2007. "He has been a driving force in the ongoing development of our popular cost model and his presence as an industry spokesperson ideally positions him to help move the FOLS forward in several areas in 2008."

"Today, more than ever, users and network designers need a resource like the Fiber Optics LAN Section to offer a vendor-neutral, technology-based perspective on the advantages of deploying fiber in customer-owned networks," said Casteel. "Interest in fiber for enterprise applications is very strong, driven by advances in the fiber-to-the-home market and increasing demands for bandwidth in the enterprise. FOLS is an unusual organization because many of our member companies offer both fiber and copper solutions, and our focus is on finding those applications where fiber is the right choice."

In addition to Casteel the following other leaders in the fiber optic industry have been elected:

• Vice Chair: Andrew Oliviero, OFS;
• Communication Co-Chairs: Alexandra Manning, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave and Marybeth Marx, Ortronics/LeGrand;
• Membership Chair: Alfred Flores, Berk-Tek, a Nexans Company;
• Standards Chair: Herb Congdon, Tyco Electronics.

Now in its 15th year, FOLS was originally founded to provide information on the use of fiber in the backbone and horizontal portions of premises networks. More information on the use of fiber can be found on the FOLS Web site at www.fols.org.

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The Fiber Optics LAN Section 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. FOLS members are leading fiber cable, component and electronics companies including, 3M, Berk-Tek, a Nexans Company, CommScope, Corning, Corning Cable Systems, Draqa Comteq, Fluke Networks, OFS, Ortronics/Legrand, Panduit, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave, Superior Essex, and Tyco Electronics. Visit the FOLS at www.fols.org.

About TIA
Celebrating its 20^th Anniversary, the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents the global information and communications technology (ICT) industries through standards development, advocacy, business opportunities, market intelligence and world-wide environmental regulatory compliance. Thousands of companies and individuals work through TIA to enhance the business environment for telecommunications, broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite, unified communications, emergency communications and the greening of technology. TIA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). For more information go to http://www.tiaonline.org.