ROCKVILLE, Md. -- Spirent Communications(TM) (NYSE:SPM)(LSE:SPT), a worldwide provider of integrated performance analysis and service assurance systems for next-generation network technologies, today announced that Mark Fishburn, Spirent's Vice President of Technical Strategy, has been elected Chairman of the Board for the Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF). Mark Fishburn's appointment is further evidence of Spirent's commitment to help drive research and development for the most promising emerging technologies and standards.

"The Metro Ethernet Forum plays an important role in today's economy by bringing improved and lower cost business services to the Enterprise, while providing more profitable operations for the service providers," said Fishburn. "I look forward to serving the Forum in this new role and to building on the success achieved thus far to bring metro Ethernet services closer to deployment and revenue generation."

The MEF is focused on the definition of new standards and testing procedures for carrier-class Ethernet. Since joining the MEF, Fishburn served as co-chair of the MEF marketing and testing committees in close cooperation with Mark Whalley of Agilent. Fishburn's experience also includes chairing the 10 Gigabit Ethernet Alliance, where he lead its marketing efforts, and helping create large-scale demonstrations that showcase the 10 Gigabit Ethernet standard. At Spirent, Fishburn is responsible for market development where he drives business and technology strategies and shepherds the development of cross-product and next-generation solutions.

"We're excited about Mark's new role with the MEF, as it demonstrates further evidence of our commitment to accelerate the deployment of more profitable, next generation networks," said My Chung, president of Spirent Communications. "A passionate industry advocate, Mark Fishburn has been on the cutting edge of developing standards and business models for Metro networks, and he will continue to contribute at this level in his new role with the MEF."

To help accelerate the deployment of metro networks, Spirent recently demonstrated SmartMetro, the world's first suite of lab tests for E-LINE and E-LAN services, currently a draft MEF standard.

"Spirent's leadership and experience in service assurance will be invaluable in the integration with existing Carrier OSS and in enabling the anticipated reduction of operational expenses associated with Metro Ethernet networks," said Fishburn.

Spirent Communications

Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF)