| alfred..i agree...things looking much better for OPTC now...pretty strong forward statement: 
 (COMTEX)     B: Optelecom, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Profit; Revenues Incre
 B: Optelecom, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Profit; Revenues Increase 47.4%
 
 GAITHERSBURG, Md., Nov 5, 2001 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Optelecom, Inc.
 (Nasdaq: OPTC) today announced financial results for the company's third quarter
 ending September 30, 2001.
 
 Revenues for the 2001 third quarter advanced 47.4% to $3.81 million, in line
 with the company's earlier announced business outlook, from $2.59 million in the
 comparable 2000 quarter. The company reported a net profit quarter of $199,318
 or $.07 per share compared to a net loss in 2000 of $(3,791,249) or $(1.52) a
 share, on weighted average shares outstanding of 2,829,709 in 2001 and 2,488,908
 in 2000.
 
 "We are pleased with our performance and progress recorded during the third
 quarter, particularly in light of the events of September 11th and the
 subsequent marked economic slowdown the nation is experiencing," stated Clyde
 Heintzelman, Optelecom's Chairman and CEO. "Our revenue growth and our return to
 profitability stand in stark contrast to declines experienced by other companies
 in our sectors."
 
 "Optelecom realized the benefits of a significant reorganization of its business
 implemented earlier this year and expansion of our main sales channels. We
 expect to realize ongoing incremental benefits in the fourth quarter of this
 year and beyond. We will continue to fortify the pipeline of new business
 opportunities and further strengthen and expand relationships with new and
 existing clients. As we fill available capacity, there is significant earnings
 leverage in our model. We believe this focus, along with stringent controls on
 operating expenses and prudent capital spending, will enable us to leverage our
 core investments, leading to continued revenue and earnings growth in 2002."
 
 
 OPTELECOM, INC.
 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
 (Unaudited)
 
 2001           2000
 
 Revenues                                      $3,810,620     $2,585,959
 Cost of goods sold                             2,131,806      2,387,778
 Gross profit                                   1,678,814        198,181
 
 Operating expenses:
 Engineering                                    287,627        491,288
 Selling and marketing                          553,737        521,855
 General and administrative                     592,495        978,341
 Write-down of Intangible Assets                      -      1,925,513
 Total operating expenses                     1,433,859      3,916,997
 
 Operating income (loss)                          244,955    (3,718,816)
 
 Other expenses:
 Interest expense                                45,637         72,433
 Total other expenses                            45,637         72,433
 
 Income (loss) before benefit for income tax      199,318    (3,791,249)
 
 Benefit for income tax                                 -              -
 
 Net income (loss)                               $199,318   $(3,791,249)
 
 Basic earnings (loss) per share                    $0.07        $(1.52)
 
 Diluted earnings (loss) per share                  $0.07        $(1.52)
 
 Weighted Average Shares Outstanding            2,829,709      2,488,908
 
 
 This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve
 risks and uncertainties. The actual results realized by the Company could differ
 materially from the statements made herein. Factors that might cause such
 differences include, but are not limited to, volatility and uncertainties in
 communications and defense, the primary two industries targeted by the Company;
 failure to develop and market fiber optic products; lack of reliable vendors,
 service providers, and outside products; poor military sales cycles; unforeseen
 changes in competing technologies and products; worldwide economic variances;
 poor or delayed research and development results; and disparities between
 forecast and realized sales. Additional factors are discussed in the Company's
 Annual Report on Form 10K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
 Optelecom, Inc., designs, develops, manufactures, and markets high- bandwidth
 fiber optic-based communications systems for traffic monitoring,
 security/surveillance, and business video systems. Optelecom headquarters are
 located at 9300 Gaither Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20877; telephone 301-840-2121 or
 800-29-FIBER. Investor inquiries should be directed to Mr. Rick Alpert at
 301-948-7872.
 
 
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 SOURCE Optelecom, Inc.
 
 
 CONTACT:          Rick Alpert of Optelecom, Inc., +1-301-948-7872
 
 URL:              optelecom.com
 prnewswire.com
 
 Copyright (C) 2001 PR Newswire.  All rights reserved.
 
 -0-
 
 
 KEYWORD:          Maryland
 INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TLS
 SUBJECT CODE:     ERN
 OTC
 
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