Mountain View, CA -- October 8, 2002. As North America and Europe continue to experience a prolonged slump in the market for optical communications equipment and components, China has emerged as one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal market environment. In 2001, while worldwide optical equipment and component revenues declined by 34%, the Chinese market grew by 70% to $1.9 billion, according to a new report from Strategies Unlimited, a Silicon Valley-based market research firm. The telecom infrastructure projects in China's Tenth Five-Year Plan (2001-2005) will bring about additional robust growth, with China generating an increasing share of the world's fiber optic equipment and component revenues.

Strategies Unlimited's new report Chinese Optical Communications Market Review and Forecast - 2002 (Equipment and Components) characterizes the dynamic Chinese optical communications market and the opportunities available for foreign as well as domestic suppliers. Based on extensive in-country surveys of Chinese carriers, domestic and foreign suppliers and government institutions, the report provides market data and forecasts for three categories of optical communications equipment and 15 ca tegories of components. It also profiles the seven major Chinese telecom services providers as well as 20 equipment suppliers and 32 component suppliers that serve the Chinese market.

China represents one of the world's most dynamic markets for communications equipment. At the end of 2001, China had a total of 169 million wireline telephone subscribers (the largest in the world), 132 million mobile telephone subscribers, and nearly 100 million cable television subscribers. The government's aim to double these figures by 2005 will require a vast amount of new infrastructure. China's recent entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) will further open its markets to outsi de suppliers and create a more competitive environment.

The Chinese telecommunications market has attracted the world's largest and best-known suppliers, many of which have established joint ventures in China, and who supply approximately one-half of the market's needs in 2001. The remaining half has come from domestic companies, who have gained rapidly in expertise and who are now taking aim at North American and European markets. The report provides details on company activities and market shares. It also provides a review of the recent reorgan ization of China's major telecom carriers and discusses the implications of China's entry into the WTO.

China Optical Communications Market Review and Forecast � 2002 is available for immediate delivery at a price of $4,450. For more information on this report, contact Strategies Unlimited at +1 650 941-3438, fax +1 650 941-5120, e-mail info@strategies-u.com.

Founded in 1979, Strategies Unlimited specializes in market research and strategic consulting directed at photovoltaic components and systems, optical networking, optoelectronic, and RF/wireless semiconductor industries. The company, based in Mountain View, California, is a research unit of PennWell Corporation, a global media and information company serving the energy and advanced technology markets since 1910.

PennWell Corporation, established in 1910, is a highly diversified media and information company providing authoritative publications, conferences and exhibitions, databases, information products and Internet-based services to strategic markets worldwide. The company publishes over 45 periodicals including Laser Focus World, Lightwave, and Solid State Technology. These strategic markets include petroleum, electric power, electronics, communications, information-technology, water, fire servic es, manufacturing and healthcare. Its headquarters are in Nashua, NH, and Tulsa, OK, with remote offices and partners located around the globe.