To: Jan Crawley who wrote (91769 ) 1/21/2000 3:11:00 PM From: Glenn D. Rudolph Respond to of 164684
1/21 9:32A (DJ) Story 2469 (MRVC) ( BW)(CA-MRV-COMMUNICATIONS-2)(MRVC) MRV Communications and Korea Microwave Technologies Form Optical Access Asia as Joint Venture Business Editors & High-Tech Writers CHATSWORTH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 21, 2000--MRV Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:MRVC), one of the world's leading suppliers of fiber optic components for the telecom, datacom and wireless industries, today announced that it has formed a joint venture with Korea Microwave Technologies. The new entity, Optical Access Asia, will design, manufacture and market optical components in Korea and other Pacific Rim countries. MRV Communications is the majority shareholder in the new venture; the investment details are undisclosed. The company is responding to the Pacific Rim's strong demand for fiber. Optical Access Asia resides in the emerging markets for fiber optic communication and will utilize local talent to develop products that are tailored to the local needs of data communication, telecommunication and wireless companies in Korea and the surrounding Pacific Rim. "We are pleased and proud to enter into this joint venture with MRV Communications," said Unha Lee, president of Optical Access Asia. "We are very excited about this opportunity to expand in Asia. This will enable us to address our customers' needs much more efficiently and with greater flexibility." "We chose Korea Microwave because of our long-standing successful relationship and because of their technical expertise and knowledge of our products," said Noam Lotan, president and chief executive officer. "This joint venture provides added momentum to MRV's end goal to revolutionize and dominate the fiber optic component market globally." About MRV Communications Inc. MRV Communications is a world-class leader in optical network components and systems. The company has leveraged its early leadership in fiber optic transmission into a well-focused range of solutions, integrating switching, routing, access servers and optical transmission systems. As the Internet evolves into a single global communication network, MRV has launched the development of new technologies to drive the next generation infrastructures. Such developments encompass optical access systems, subscribers' management systems and Linux-based solutions. MRV has initiated and funded cutting-edge start-up companies including New Access Communications, Charlotte's Networks, Hyperchannel and Zuma Networks. --30--SJK/la* KR/la CONTACT: MRV Communications Inc., Chatsworth Diana Hayden, 818/886-6782 KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA INTERNATIONAL ASIA PACIFIC INDUSTRY KEYWORD: INTERNET NETWORKING TELECOMMUNICATIONS Today's News On The Net - Business Wire's full file on the Internet with Hyperlinks to your home page. URL: businesswire.com (END) DOW JONES NEWS 01-21-00