Ad hoc: ADVA OPTICAL NETWORKING AND HITACHI SIGN OEM AGREEMENT FOR JAPAN

Martinsried/Munich, Germany; Ramsey/New Jersey, USA. May 21, 2002. ADVA Optical Networking (German Neuer Markt: ADV), a leading global provider of optical networking solutions, today announced the formation of an Original Equipment Manufacturer ("OEM") distribution partnership with Hitachi, Ltd., to deliver metro optical networking solutions to carriers and service providers in Japan.

Under the terms of the agreement, Hitachi will market, sell, and support ADVA's Fiber Service Platform ("FSP") -II/2000 product as the AMN601A, in addition to potential future product generations. The AMN601A is a key addition to Hitachi's product offering to carriers and service providers, and enables the deployment of cost-effective, high-capacity Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing solutions for fiber relief and managed services applications. The AMN601A is being integrated into Hitachi's network management system for seamless end-user management and control.

Hitachi is one of the leading vendors of communications equipment in the Japanese market, and will focus specifically on optical networking opportunities in the metro core network infrastructure of Japanese carriers and service providers. Hitachi's initial sales and marketing efforts to-date have resulted in the winning of a multimillion dollar contract for AMN601A with one of its incumbent carrier customers.