Japanese pact

Berkeley, NJ-based Lucent Technologies` Microelectronics Group, formerly AT&T Microelectronics, and Nippon Telegraph & Telephone (NTT) in Japan have signed a multiyear agreement to jointly develop optical modules to be used in NTT`s optical-access networks. The modules are slated to perform optical-to-electrical and electrical-to-optical signal conversions of 1.3-micron bidirectional digital transmissions over optical fiber for voice and data. They are also expected to distribute downstream 1.5-micron video signals carried over the same fiber.

"The company will be working closely with NTT to reduce costs," according to John Pilitsis, vice president of Lucent`s optoelectronics unit. "New component technologies, processing and mass production techniques are part of this project."