Press information

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

PRYSMIAN LAUNCHES CASALIGHTTM - BEND INSENSITIVE OPTICAL FIBRE

Milan, February 7, 2007 - Prysmian Cables & Systems announces CasaLightTM, its new 'Bend Insensitive'
optical fibre in accordance with ITU-T Recommendation G.657.

With the current rapid growth in Broadband services and the corresponding need to upgrade 'last mile' telecoms infrastructures there is a growing trend to take the optical fibre in these networks closer and closer to the end user. This transition towards the ultimate goal of FTTH (Fibre to the home) means that the optical fibres are likely to encounter greater levels of handling and will be subjected to more extreme degrees of bending than previously experienced.

The recently issued ITU-T Recommendation G.657 entitled "Characteristics of a Bending Loss Insensitive
Single Mode optical Fibre and Cable for the Access Network" defines the new and tougher performance requirements now demanded by these applications. CasaLightTM meets all of these requirements and in
particular:

• maintains its performance at bend radius as low as 10mm thus exceeding the limits of G.657A
  
• maintains compatibility with standard equipment, connectors and fibre in accordance with ITU-T
  Recommendation G.652
  
• demonstrates improved mechanical reliability, increasing lifetime in environments where variations in
  temperature and moisture level together with tight bends are likely
  
• demonstrates best-in-class performance towards 'high power' effects which can result in coating burns
  and glass fusion in certain amplified systems under severe bend conditions.
  
• utilizes an environmentally friendly, fluorine-free manufacturing process as in all Prysmian fibres
  Prysmian continues to maintain its position as a world leader in optical fibre technology. The addition of
  CasaLightTM to its portfolio will further strengthen that position.

For further information:
Communication Department - Press Office
Lorenzo Caruso, tel +39 02 6449 51534, mob +39 349 766 8006, email: lorenzo.caruso@prysmian.com

Marketing Department
Richard Thomas, tel +39 02 6449 7939, email: richard.thomas@prysmian.com