GAITHERSBURG, Md. -- Optelecom Inc.(Nasdaq: OPTC) today unveiled its SpectraStream 64 advanced single fiber, 12-to 64-channel digital video transmission system. The system utilizes bothoptical and Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM) techniques to achieve the highchannel count capability, incorporating Coarse Wavelength DivisionMultiplexing (CWDM) technology with the Company's successful "building block"line of 10-bit, four- and eight-channel TDM fiber optic digital video cardsystems. The advanced design exceeds the Electronic Industries Association's(EIA) short-haul video performance standards (RS250C). CWDM techniques, originally developed to provide a cost-effective solutionfor "Metro" telecom distribution applications, combine up to eight discreteoptical wavelengths onto a single fiber. Each eight-channel digital videocard, operating at a bandwidth of 1.44 Gigabits per second, uses one of theeight available wavelengths; in the full 64-channel implementation, theaggregate system bandwidth is 11.5 Gigabits per second. The Company anticipates the system will be utilized in a varied andgrowing number of markets such as: Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS),Distance Learning, Broadcast TV, Telemedicine, Corporate and MilitarySecurity/Surveillance, CATV Supertrunks, Highway Video/Data Collection, RemoteArraignment Systems, Tunnel Monitoring, and Airport Security Systems. In related news, the Company also announced it has signed a strategicdistribution agreement with Gianus Technology, Inc. of Milan, Italy.Optelecom will offer Gianus Technology's Phantom* line of data protectionsoftware to users of its web browser-based system network management softwareand other customers seeking an effective, low cost solution to protecting dataon PCs and laptops from unauthorized access.Optelecom Inc.