SALIRA NAMES FORMER NORTEL AND QWEST EXECUTIVE ROSS LAU AS PRESIDENT AND CEO

Thirty-Year Industry Veteran to Build on the Company’s Success in the Asia Pacific Region

SANTA CLARA – OCTOBER 1, 2003 – Salira Optical Network Systems, a leading provider of optical access systems, today announced that Ross Bernard Lau was named president and CEO of the privately-held company based in Santa Clara. In addition to his management responsibilities, Lau will serve on Salira’s board of directors. Lau brings to Salira more than 30 years experience as a senior executive with Nortel Networks and Qwest in the US, Canada, Europe and Asia.

“We are thrilled to have someone with Ross Lau’s track record leading Salira at this point in the company’s evolution,” said Dave House, former president of Nortel Networks and chairman of Salira’s board. “Ross has built successful businesses in Asia on both the equipment side and the service provider side.”

At Nortel, Lau was president and COO of Nortel Networks (Asia) Ltd.'s service provider solutions group. In that position, Lau had complete P&L responsibility for Nortel’s wireless, optical, TDM, data and access businesses throughout Asia. Earlier, Lau was instrumental in launching Nortel’s carrier-class fiber optics business. He held senior R&D, product management and general management positions in various Nortel business units that delivered vital access, transmission and wireless products to market. Prior to joining Salira, Lau was president and CEO of Qwest Asia where he built Qwest’s network in Asia, negotiated strategic partnerships with other carriers and expanded Qwest’s business and service reach into the region.

“We are seeing tremendous opportunities for advanced access services throughout the Asia Pacific region,” said Ross Lau, Salira’s incoming CEO. “I look forward to building on the company’s success to meet the scope of these opportunities.”

Lau indicated that the company will maintain its intense focus on the China market. The company will also develop new products tailored to the Asia Pacific market, and negotiate strategic partnerships with leading equipment vendors in the region.

About Salira Optical Network Systems, Inc.
Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, Salira builds broadband systems that are used to deliver advanced voice, video and data services to business and residential customers. Salira’s systems give carriers the ability to offer traditional TDM services and advanced IP-based broadband services in one integrated, cost-effective system. Salira Shanghai, Ltd., a subsidiary of Salira, performs manufacturing, R&D and customer support functions, and has responsibility for marketing and sales in the Asia Pacific region.