<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p><p>Contact: Camille Cox (805) 497-6400 [email protected]</p><p>OB Integrators Adopting Stratos Optical SMPTE-Compliant Hx1080™ Fiber Optic Connector - Selected by the BBC as the SMPTE connector choice for HD studio in Television Centre London, the HX1080 is seeing daily service around the world -</p><p>CHICAGO, IL (April 24, 2006) --- Stratos Optical Technologies, a leader in fiberoptic system solutions for the broadcast industry, announced the North American debut of their Hx1080™ SMPTE-compliant fiber optic connector at the NAB 2006 Convention in Las Vegas, April 22-27, 2006. First introduced at IBC 2005, the HX1080 will be demonstrated at the Stratos exhibit (#SU3006) as well as in use with the HD camera equipment of various industry-leading equipment manufacturers, including industry giant Sony. </p><p>Since it’s introduction last Fall, the Hx1080 has been gaining wide attention and impressive acceptance by both broadcasters and system integrators as the question looms as to which connector technology will become the industry standard for digital video fiber between mobile production equipment and installed fiber networks. In both outdoor and studio applications, the Stratos expanded beam technology is being embraced by broadcasters and production companies throughout Europe and North America. Recently selected by the BBC as the SMPTE connector of choice for HD studio in Television Centre London, the Stratos expanded beam technology is currently in daily service at the BBC and Danish Radio. Other noteworthy projects include the forthcoming Football World Cup being produced by German OB production company TopVision and Connex GMBH.</p><p>As fiber becomes the standard for live venue productions and increasingly installed transport networks, the Hx1080 is proving an ideal solution for it’s dependable performance and ease of use. Easy to install and field-reparable and requiring limited tools and training, it is an easy upgrade solution to high maintenance, low reliability butt-joint connectors. Page 2 of 2</p><p>Based on proven expanded beam technology pioneered by Stratos in Europe, the Hx1080 was first developed for harsh environment military and aerospace applications. Similar conditions faced by OB broadcasters demand essentially the same product attributes of environmental survivability, high performance, and zero tolerance for down time.</p><p>Expanded Beam Technology</p><p>An impressive characteristic of expanded beam technology is that the fiber optic filament is fully enclosed and sealed behind a hard-coated lens, forming a no-contact connection. The hermaphroditic design allows simple and rapid rigging and repair because every connection is identical. In live event broadcast, this solution delivers breakthrough performance results for applications commonly supported with interconnects that exhibit performance degradation after a few couplings. The Hx1080 is inherently resilient to natural environment factors such as dirt and contamination. The sealed state of the filament allows the lens to be cleaned with a simple wipe of a cloth, then quickly reconnected for uninterrupted transmission.</p><p>Stratos International has established a global network of qualified and approved support outlets for the Hx1080 system, providing immediate customer care and technical support for fast reaction, live broadcast applications.</p><p>The Hx1080 is currently available. For price and delivery quotations contact Broadcast Product Managers Bill Hollis at 708-457-2513 ([email protected]) in North America or Peter Munday at +44-1440-766630 ([email protected]) in Europe. Product information is available on the company website www.stratoslightwave.com.</p><p>About Stratos Optical Technologies</p><p>Stratos Optical Technologies, previously known as Stratos Lightwave, is a global producer of optical, electronic and optoelectronic components and subsystems. The company is a wholly- owned subsidiary of Stratos International (STLW). The company headquarters is located at 7444 W. Wilson Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60706-4549. For more information call 800-323-6858 or visit the company website at www.stratoslightwave.com.</p><p>###</p>