Village Outsources to Viasystems

EATONTOWN, N.J. -- Village Networks, Inc., the leader in integrated IP-over-optics networking solutions, and Viasystems, a leading worldwide independent provider of electronic manufacturing services (EMS), today announced an agreement whereby Viasystems will manufacture the electronics for Village Networks' industry-leading iOPN2000. This relationship will enable Village Networks to quickly and effectively ramp up its manufacturing capabilities to meet customer requirements. Viasystems will augment Village Networks' internal manufacturing organization, which will handle the assembly of the optical components, integrate them with the electrical components, and perform final testing of the iOPN2000 before shipping to customers. The iOPN2000 is the first optical packet node to fully integrate the intelligence of packet switching with the power of optics into a single networking device for metro and regional markets. First announced in December 2000, the iOPN2000 has undergone extensive trials with service providers, including Global Crossing, and will be commercially available in Q4 2001. "Having completed extensive testing, we are now preparing for the commercial availability of the iOPN2000 in the fourth quarter. Our agreement with Viasystems will enable us to make the transition very effectively," said Kai Eng, founder, president and CEO of Village Networks. " Their experience with leading telecommunications equipment vendors combined with their global footprint, access to materials, ability to scale manufacturing operations and excellent customer support make them the best partner for us. Working with them, we can continue to do what we do best: develop and deploy industry-leading optical packet solutions."Village Networks Inc.Viasystems Group Inc.