OTTAWA -- Tropic Networks Inc., today announced that Mr. Romano Valussi, President of Alcatel's (NYSE:ALA) (Paris:CGEP.PA) optical networks activities, has been appointed to the Company's Board of Directors.

    "Tropic Networks is an emerging company offering an industry-defining solution that brings both manageability and reconfigurability to core metro-optical networks," said Romano Valussi. "I'm pleased to be joining the Board of Directors and look forward to working with the Tropic team to build on the ongoing success of this unique solution."

    Mr. Valussi joined Alcatel in 1990 as Director of Alcatel's Low-capacity SDH/Sonet Laboratories. Over the next 10 years, Mr. Valussi held progressively more challenging roles within Alcatel's optics activity.

    In July 2002, Mr. Valussi was appointed Senior Vice President, Product Strategy and Development and at the end of April 2003, he became President of Alcatel's optical networks activities.

    "Romano is a very valuable addition to Tropic's Board of Directors,"saidBob Annunziata, Chairman of the Board, Tropic Networks. "He brings with him a solid understanding of the global optical market and the experience he and his team have gained in making Alcatel the worldwide leader in optical networking equipment. We are very pleased to have him join our team."

Tropic Networks Inc.