Ransom Joins Teknovus Board

PETALUMA, Calif. -- Teknovus, the leading provider of semiconductors for broadband optical access networks, announced today that Dr. Niel Ransom has been appointed a director of the company. Dr. Ransom has an extensive and distinguished track record in the telecommunications industry, most recently serving as the chief technology officer of Alcatel.

"Niel brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience in telecommunications to Teknovus, from components at one end of the spectrum to regulatory issues at the other," remarked Mr. Michael J. Callahan, chairman of the Teknovus board of directors. "His leadership and insight with respect to carriers and OEMs will be of great value as we take Teknovus through its next phase of growth."

Dr. Ransom stated, "I am very pleased to be a part of the Teknovus team. Its current EPON solutions are proven winners in the mass deployment of fiber optical networks for broadband access by top-tier carriers, and the strategic vision of the Company is compelling. Teknovus is positioned to lead the transition to gigabit-speed fiber access, and I look forward to helping build Teknovus into a major player in the semiconductor industry."

Niel Ransom Career Highlights

Dr. Ransom has been with Alcatel for eight years, most recently as CTO and a member of its governing EXCOM. There he managed an organization encompassing corporate and product strategy, corporate research, R&D investment, M&A strategy, participation in venture funds, patents and intellectual property. Recent M&A activities included the acquisition of TiMetra, Spatial Communications, eDial, PacketVideo, Thirdspace, iMagicTV, Right Vision, Telera, Aravox, WaterCove, and Native Networks. He also held various general management roles, including managing Alcatel access and metro optical business in the U.S.

Dr. Ransom joined Alcatel from BellSouth where he directed an organization responsible for expanding BellSouth's offerings into PCS wireless, IP, video, and advanced intelligent networks. He began his career at Bell Labs where he was a member of and eventually managed an applied research organization that gave birth to a number of highly successful products in data and voice switching including the 5ESS system. Dr. Ransom has served as a member of the Technological Advisors Council of the U.S. Federal Communication Commission. He is co-author of book, Broadband Access Technologies, published by McGraw-Hill. Dr. Ransom holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame, BSEE and MSEE degrees from Old Dominion University, and an Executive MBA from the University of Chicago.

Teknovus Inc.