ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Eastman Kodak Company's Optics unit has created a specialized lens that enables telecommunications companies to offer customers speedier access to the Internet and more reliable transmission of data through their networks. Kodak's Micro Aspheric Collimator (MAC) A-348 lens features the lowest reflected insertion loss (RIL) available on the market (-0.12 dB). A lower insertion loss means information is processed more efficiently from one span of fiber-optic cable to another, enhancing system performance and the delivery of data. Kodak's MAC A-348 lens contributes to accelerating traffic flow by concentrating the dispersion of information-laden light beams so that more data is pushed through each link along a fiber-optic network. This helps telecommunication companies achieve better system performance and affords reduced power budgets. The MAC A-348 lens, the latest in Kodak's line of specialized optics, will be on display from March 19 through March 21, at the Optical Fiber Communication Conference (OFC) in Anaheim, California. "The new MAC lens offers a performance advantage to telecommunications companies looking to provide customers the fastest, most reliable data transmission and Internet service," said Ed White, president of Kodak Optical Products. "This improved lens represents Kodak's commitment to harness the convergence of imaging and information technology and to expand its optical components business." For more information on OFC 2002, please visit: www.nottheofc.com