Smartoptics Group AS

Regulatory Filings • Feb 14, 2022

Expanded Smartoptics-LightRiver collaboration a key enabler for open optical networking

Expanded Smartoptics-LightRiver collaboration a key enabler for open optical networking

Oslo, Norway - February 14, 2022 - Smartoptics, a leading provider of optical

networking solutions, announced today that its open line systems portfolio is

now supported in netFLEX® (https://netflex.lightriver.com/), LightRiver's

optical domain orchestration and control solution. This enables Smartoptics

products to be managed with components from other vendors in a single network

management system. Smartoptics network infrastructure and netFLEX will also be

packaged together and resold by both companies. This expanded collaboration will

create synergies and serve as a key enabler for open optical networking.

LightRiver designs, engineers, lab validates, commissions, and automates

networks using components from best-of-breed technology suppliers. Smartoptics

is one of these suppliers whose products' ease of use and multivendor

compatibility have made the company a popular choice in high-profile networks

sold by LightRiver in the US. These include Tier 1 network operators, large

-scale content delivery networks (CDNs), and Fortune 500 market leaders in

gaming and social networking.

"In our extensive lab validations, we've found that Smartoptics open line

systems provide a market-leading plug-and-play experience - in terms of both the

physical connection to the network and integration into our end-to-end

visibility and management within netFLEX (https://netflex.lightriver.com/),"

says Mike Jonas, President of Global Customer Operations for LightRiver.

"They're also readily interoperable with components from different

manufacturers. This combination allows us to jointly deliver open optical

networking solutions that can be managed at scale across many unique use cases

to include 5G/Edge, DCI, and the latest of IP-over-DWDM with 400G ZR/ZR+."

Smartoptics and LightRiver both have a strong focus and leading position in open

optical networking. The complementary nature of the companies' offerings caters

well to large-scale networks, such as those of service providers.

"We are in a growth phase with new products like our DCP-404

Muxponder (https://www.smartoptics.com/products/transponders-muxponders/)and DCP

-R (https://www.smartoptics.com/products/open-line-systems/) family of

ROADMs appealing to higher tier service provider metro networks. Pairing our

zero-touch open line systems with LightRiver's Alien Aware

Networking (https://netflex.lightriver.com/alien-aware-networking/)T and end-to

-end management in netFLEX creates a joint offering well aligned with high-tier

service provider needs. This provides the visibility, control and automation

they demand, serving as an enabler for using our products in open, disaggregated

networks. Given our shared open networking values, LightRiver is a natural

partner for us and we look forward to making the most of our expanded

collaboration," says Kent Lidström, CTO Smartoptics.

For further information please contact:

Kent Lidström

CTO

Smartoptics

Telephone: +47 214 174 00

Email: kent.lidstrom@smartoptics.com

About Smartoptics

Smartoptics provides innovative optical networking solutions and devices for the

new era of open networking. Our customer base includes thousands of enterprises,

governments, cloud providers, Internet exchanges as well as cable and telecom

operators. We have an open networking approach in everything we do which allows

our customers to break unwanted vendor lock-in, remain flexible and minimize

costs. Our solutions are used in metro and regional network applications that

increasingly rely on data center services and specifications. Smartoptics is a

Scandinavian company?founded in 2006. We partner with leading technology and

network solution providers such as Brocade, Cisco and Dell EMC and have a global

reach through more than 100 business partners.

For additional information about Smartoptics, please visit

https://www.smartoptics.com

About LightRiver

LightRiver is the premier provider of next generation, multi-vendor, Factory

Built Networks® and netFLEX® vendor neutral, Optical Domain Control Software

solutions. LightRiver is an expert in Packet Optical, DWDM/ROADM, MPLS and

Carrier Ethernet systems and designs, engineers, commissions, automates and

supports next generation, software controlled, transport networks for mission

-critical clients that require the highest capacity, reliability, resiliency and

manageability that today's optical communications technology can deliver.

LightRiver delivers unique value with turnkey hardware and software solutions,

carrier-grade quality and unparalleled customer care in multi-technology

networking.

For additional information about LightRiver, please visit www.lightriver.com