News Release

                                        Media contacts:

                                        Gwen Avery, Meriton Networks

                                        613-270-9279; gwen.avery@meriton.com

                                        Mike Newsom, for Meriton Networks

                                        508-541-9036; mnewsom31@mediaone.net

 

MERITON NETWORKSÔ DEBUTS WITH OADX PLANS FOR THE METRO CORE 
Company formerly known as edgeflow changes name to reflect excellence and merit for optical networks

 

Ottawa, Canada, NOVEMBER 20, 2001 — Meriton Networks Inc. (www.meriton.com) today announced it has completed its name change from edgeflow Inc. Additionally, the company revealed that its OADX, an advanced Optical Add/Drop Switch, is targeted for metro core networks.  The new name reflects the company’s focus on bringing excellence, value and merit to optical networks.

            “Understandably, the edgeflow name led many individuals to think that we were developing an optical edge system, and today, that simply is not the case. Tier one carriers are interested in our OADX as a sensible solution for their metro core networks,” said Wes Biggs, president and CEO of Meriton Networks. “It makes good, economical sense for us to adopt the new name now, as we come out of stealth mode.”

To date, carriers have needed to deploy Optical Add/Drop Multiplexers (OADMs) as well as Optical Cross- Connects (OXCs) to provide the same functionality as the Meriton Networks OADX. Aside from the obvious drawbacks of added cost, complexity and footprint, OADM plus OXC solutions are not transparent -- meaning that they are not bit-rate and protocol independent – an important feature which allows carriers to meet the growing demand for ATM, SONET/SDH, IP, GbE, SANs and other data services without dedicating separate networks to each. Carriers are interested in deploying Meriton’s transparent OADX because it costs less and requires less floor space. The Meriton Networks solution provides performance monitoring and network management that makes point-and-click provisioning of wavelengths a reality. Meriton Network’s patent-protected approach positions the company to secure a leadership position in this emerging market. 

Additionally, Meriton Networks announced today technology alliances with leading optical component vendors, Vitesse Semiconductor (NASDAQ: VTSS) and ExceLight Communications (see separate news releases). According to Mr. Biggs, “These alliances signal to the world that Meriton Networks is working with the industry’s most innovative suppliers to create a best-of-breed solution that offers unprecedented cost and space savings.”

 

About Meriton Networks Inc.

Founded in 2000, Meriton Networks Inc. (formerly known as edgeflow) is a privately-held wavelength networking company. Meriton Networks is building an advanced metro optical networking element called an Optical Add/Drop Switch (OADX). By integrating optical switching and transmission within a single unit, the OADX delivers immediate reductions in cost and network complexity for carriers and service providers. Meriton Networks offers a unique wavelength transparent solution (bit-rate and protocol independent) with superior performance monitoring and network management.

 

# # #

Meriton Networks is a trademark of Meriton Neworks Inc.  Other trademarks that may be used in this document are property of their respective owners.