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Several Partner Companies Showcase Firecomms OptoLock in Home Networking Exhibits

Firecomms Ltd., a leading developer of high speed Plastic Optical Fiber (POF) transceivers and Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSELs), today (15/9/09) announces that several partner companies will showcase its OptoLock Plastic Optical Fiber transceiver on their exhibits at technology shows in Europe and North America in September.

At Europe's largest optical communication conference and exhibition, ECOC (European Conference and Exhibition on Optical Communication), OptoLock will be featured on several exhibits, including:

• Molex Interconnect GmbH, Hall Y, Stand #462 - Full range of SMI-based POF connectors and media converters
• SENKO Advanced Components, Hall Z, Stand #664 - Complete POF home network, including switching, cabling, and wall sockets
• Katron Technologies Inc, Hall X, Stand #286 - Innovative multiport switches
• Jiangxi Daihing POF Ltd, Hall X, Stand #212 - Broad range of converters, switches, and POF cables
• Optokon Ltd, Hall X, Stand #340, Novel OptoLock-based test equipment

ECOC will be held in Vienna, Austria on September 21 through 24. Additional information about ECOC is available at www.ecocexhibition.com.

As a key component in a fully optical network, Firecomms OptoLock will drive the POF home network installed at the Home Networking Zone at the FTTH Expo.  In the exhibit sponsored by Mitsubishi International Corporation, media converters and set top boxes containing OptoLock will be used to transport IPTV content over plastic optical fiber in a home setting.

The 2009 FTTH Conference & Expo will be held in Houston, Texas on September 27 through October 1.  Additional information about this conference is available at www.ftthconference.com.

'The increase in the number of companies showcasing POF products with OptoLock is evidence that the demand for a robust, but simple to install home network solution is growing,' says Hugh Hennessy, Firecomms vice-president sales and marketing.  'With OptoLock, Firecomms makes possible FTTx, a fully optical network where 'x' is the set top box in the home.'

OptoLock, a widely deployed plugless interface for Plastic Optical Fiber, enables a simple to use Fiber Optic link in consumer applications.  Ideal for 100 Mb Ethernet applications with stringent quality of service requirements such as IPTV gateways, Set-Top Boxes, Residential Gateways and ONTs (Optical Networking Terminals), OptoLock significantly quickens and simplifies the connection of devices in communications and infotainment networks.  The innovative design of OptoLock enables the fiber to be cut and terminated to the exact required length on site, allowing even the most novice consumer to quickly and easily terminate bare optical fiber.

Firecomms leads the development of devices to drive POF, a low-cost optical alternative to copper cabling.  Due to its ease of use, large core tolerances, and low costs, POF is enjoying significant growth in a wide range of applications.  Created for consumer, industrial, and automotive applications in which plastic fiber can be used more easily and at lower cost than copper or glass fiber, POF is now used in millions of small area networks, such as those in use in many car models, and is rapidly gaining ground in home network and point-to-point interconnection.  According to market research by Information Gatekeepers, the POF market is estimated to be worth over $1 billion per year by the end of 2009.