For Immediate Release
August 30, 2000

Proposed TIA Category 6 Requirements Begin First Ballot Cycle

Watertown, CT — Ratification of category 6 took a major step forward during the recent TIA meeting held in Vancouver, BC. The TR-42 Engineering Committee unanimously approved issuing draft 7 of the TIA TR-42.7 Copper Cabling Sub-Committee document entitled, "Transmission Performance Specifications for 4-Pair, 100 W Category 6 Cabling" for a 30-day committee ballot. The purpose of the committee or "green" ballot process is to solicit comments and feedback on the draft from a select group of TIA members. Once the 30-day ballot cycle closes and comments are resolved, draft 8 of the document should be approved for a full 60-day industry ballot in the December timeframe. The Committee is also allowing for an additional 30-day default ballot cycle to clear any remaining technical issues. The current time line plans on final approval of a category 6 Standard for publication in June, 2001.

According to John Siemon, Chair of TR-42.1, "This is a major milestone in the standardization of copper cabling. The ability of TR-42 to make such incredible progress in characterizing electrical performance up to 250 MHz confirms the group's commitment to support high bandwidth applications with twisted-pair cabling." Siemon went on to add, "TR-42 is very aware of the importance of this Standard and is committed to completing it on schedule." Key objectives realized in the finalization of the category 6 performance criteria include the addition of connecting hardware balance recommendations and the recognition of both de-embedded FEXT and NEXT loss in the characterization of test plugs used to qualify category 6 connecting hardware performance.

The Siemon Company is pleased to confirm that the performance of our entire line of category 6 connecting hardware and System 6^SM cabling systems exceeds the requirements of draft 7 of the proposed category 6 Standard.

About Siemon
Established in 1903, Siemon is an industry leader specializing in the manufacture and innovation of high quality, high-performance network cabling solutions. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA Siemon has global offices and partners throughout the world. Siemon offers the most comprehensive suite of copper (unshielded and shielded twisted-pair) and fibre cabling systems available. With over 400 active patents specific to structured cabling, Siemon Labs invests heavily in R&D and development of industry standards, underlining the company's long-term commitment to its customers and the industry.

Siemon’s Australian head office is located in Allambie Heights, Sydney, with offices also located in Brisbane and Melbourne.

For more information about this press release, please contact:
Alana Patton
The Siemon Company
Marketing Communications Executive
Tel : (02) 8977 7500