BTG, a global technology commercialization company, announced it has received Notice of Allowance from the US Patent and Trademark Office for its patent application relating to dispersion-managed solitons, a fiber-optic technology that could revolutionize the performance of Ultra-Long-Haul (ULH) optical communications.

A patent will be issued in the near future. Companies developing optical networks utilizing technology protected by this patent should seek a license from BTG, the owners of the intellectual property.

Dispersion-managed solitons allow transmission distances of thousands of kilometers to be achieved before regeneration is necessary. Using this technology, ULH Dense Wavelength-Division Multiplexing (DWDM) system manufacturers can develop solutions that enable service providers to cost-effectively implement nationwide or multi-regional telecommunications networks. According to a June 2001 KMI Research Report, the market for ULH DWDM systems is currently estimated to be worth $500 million and is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of about 150 percent to reach over $9 billion by 2005.

Dispersion-managed solitons were originally developed at Aston University under the leadership of Nick Doran, who is currently Chief Technology Officer of Marconi Solstis. In 1995, BTG entered into a strategic alliance with Aston University to develop the intellectual property portfolio and commercialize the technology. Further patent applications for dispersion-managed solitons are pending.

About BTG:

BTG's business is finding, developing and commercializing technologies in a scientific or technical discipline. For more information, visit www.btgplc.com.