PALO ALTO, Calif., OTTAWA, and ALLENTOWN, Pa. -- Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A), Nortel Networks (NYSE/TSX:NT) and Agere Systems (NYSE:AGR.A, AGR.B) today announced that Alcatel Optronics, JDS Uniphase, Mitsubishi Electric, NEC Corporation, Oki Electric and Sumitomo/Excelight have joined the DWDM Pluggable Transceiver multi-source agreement (MSA) and will supply devices that conform to the specification defined by the MSA. Transceivers developed using this new specification are designed to help improve network planning, commissioning and maintenance of optical networks and reduce system downtime and inventory costs. The DWDM Pluggable Transceiver MSA announced by Agilent, Nortel Networks, and Agere Systems in June 2002 establishes a standard that specifies uniformity for 2.5 Gb/s (OC-48) dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) pluggable transceiver package outlines, pin function definitions, software interface and electrical characteristics. Transceivers based on this MSA will provide transmit and receive interfaces for metro DWDM multi-service routers, multi-service provisioning, optical transmission platforms and digital cross-connects. MSA-compliant DWDM transceivers will allow network service providers to plug in a DWDM transceiver exactly when and where it's needed, and at any wavelength, reducing inventory costs. The ability to install the transceivers into live systems eliminates system downtime during upgrades and service calls. The multi-rate feature (from 155 Mb/s to 2.7 Gb/s) allows operators to offer flexible service as well. "The addition of six new members is a powerful reinforcement of the MSA and establishes it as the preeminent 2.5 Gb/s DWDM interface standard," said Pat Walsh, vice president, Product Line Management, Optical Components, Nortel Networks. DWDM Pluggable Transceiver MSA