Bookham to launch 4.25Gbit/s DWDM SFP transceiver capability at ECOC 2006

Bookham to launch 4.25Gbit/s DWDM SFP transceiver capability at ECOC 2006

SONET/SDH, Ethernet and Fiber Channel protocols supported in live demonstration

San Jose, CA – September 18 2006, Bookham, Inc. (Nasdaq: BKHM), a leading provider of optical components, modules and subsystems, today announced that it will be demonstrating for the first time the capability of its DWDM SFP transceiver to transmit at 2.5 Gbit/s and 4.25Gbit/s. The transceiver will provide equipment vendors with the ability to support SONET/SDH, Ethernet and Fiber Channel with one product.

The live demonstration, believed to be the first of its kind in Europe, will take place at ECOC 2006, between 25th-27th September, at the Palais des Festivals & des Congrès in Cannes, France. The transceiver is designed to perform in amplified low OSNR links. It enables an uncompensated link length of up to 180km for STM-16/OC-48/OTN-1 and provides 80km reach at 4G fiber channel rates. The product adheres to the worldwide DWDM SFP MSA standard and is RoHS compliant.

“We believe that we are one of only a few suppliers able to achieve 2.5 Gbit/s and 4.25Gbit/s with a single DWDM SFP transceiver,” said Paul Morris, Director of European Sales at Bookham. “With the advent of converged, next-generation networks, equipment vendors need to provide a solution that meets a range of voice and data needs. This DWDM SFP transceiver is a single part solution for transmitting SONET/SDH, Ethernet and Fiber Channel over DWDM. It is scalable and flexible, simplifying logistics and inventory costs, while enabling network operators to increase capacity in the metro.”

Bookham will be showing its full range of components, modules and subsystems for the telecom and datacom markets at its stand (number 189) in three product portfolios:
• Tunable and high performance optics – including the company’s DS-DBR wideband tunable laser and the fully qualified integrable tunable laser assembly (iTLA), which is underpinning the next generation of tunable technology: a wideband tunable transmitter assembly (TTA) and a small form factor (SFF) wideband tunable transponder.
• Lasers, receivers and transceivers – including the company’s complete portfolio of XFP transceivers for 10Gbit/s Ethernet (10GbE) transport applications, which offer equipment vendors the choice of 10km, 40km, and 80km reaches to meet different network requirements.
• Amplifiers, pumps and passives – including the company’s market leading thin film filter chips, components and modules; ultra-high power 980nm pumps; and Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers (EDFAs).

“Next generation networks, and the applications they enable, are increasing the demand for bandwidth in the metro and beyond,” said Mr Morris. “With this in mind, Bookham has developed a complete portfolio of optical components, modules and subsystems that are flexible, scalable and reconfigurable, facilitating growth as demand dictates, without additional investment by the network operator.”

Bookham will be commenting on the evolution of metro and core networks from a component perspective at the ECOC Market Focus at 14.45 on Tuesday, 26th September.

Ends

For a high resolution image of the DWDM SFP transceiver, please contact howard {at} gbcspr(.)com.

To arrange an interview with Bookham or a tour of the Bookham stand, please contact helen {at} gbcspr(.)com.

Notes to editors
1. Bookham will be showing its full portfolio of optical components at stand number 189.
2. The European Conference and Exhibition on Optical Communication (ECOC) is taking place at the Palais des Festivals & des Congrès in Cannes between the 24th and 28th September. ECOC is the second largest event of its kind in the world. For more information please visit www.ecoc2006.org.