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Date: 5th December 2005
Title: The World Economic Forum Announces New Class Of Technology Pioneers For 2006: Transmode Selected

The World Economic Forum today announced 36 Technology Pioneers for 2006. Transmode has been selected as one of these Technology Pioneers.

Technology Pioneers are companies that have been identified as developing and applying highly transformational and innovative technologies in the areas of energy, biotechnology and health, and information technology. This year's class of companies has been selected not only because of the cutting-edge work undertaken by the organizations, but also because their work has potential long-term impact on business and society.

In line with the Forum's commitment to improving the state of the world, the Technology Pioneers programme was established in 2000 to provide a new perspective on technological change. The programme is run by the World Economic Forum with Apax Partners and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu as Strategic Partners. Through its Technology Pioneers programme, the Forum identifies and integrates those companies around the world that are involved in the design and development of new technologies. Each innovation, whether it has large or small consequences, is another step in society's attempt to harness, adapt and utilize technology to change and improve our world. The World Economic Forum is invested in monitoring and highlighting these innovations and exploring possible societal repercussions.

"The creative innovations produced by our Technology Pioneers hold the promise of significantly affecting the way business and society operate", said Peter Torreele, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum. "As a global knowledge hub, we see the Technology Pioneer community as key contributors to this dialogue and to the mission of the World Economic Forum."

One of this year's Technology Pioneers is Transmode Systems AB. Transmode is a Pioneer in Optical Networking. Innovations such as intelligent WDM (iWDM), which dramatically lowers operational cost, and unamplified DWDM, which reduces network CAPEX and complexity, have contributed to success at a global level, with a customer base of more than 100 network operators, service providers, enterprises and public institutions across Europe, the Americas and Asia.

Transmode is the only company with the full spectrum of Optical Networking solutions based on WDM, designed to cater for the needs of Network Operators and Enterprises alike without compromising on functionality or cost-efficiency. Transmode's product portfolio addresses Optical Networking requirements from regional networks, through metro core and access networks, all the way down to the customer premises.

"We are delighted to have received this recognition from the World Economic Forum," said Magnus Öberg, Chief Technology Officer at Transmode. "At Transmode we strive to innovate new products that advance optical networking by developing disruptive technologies that address real customer demands. We have made significant advances since we were founded in 2000 and this award recognises these achievements."

Each year, members, constituents and collaborators of the World Economic Forum nominate Technology Pioneers. The criteria for selection include:

1. Innovation. The company's technology must be truly innovative. A new version or repackaging of an already well-accepted technological solution does not qualify as an innovation. The innovation should be recent - not more than two years old. The company should invest significantly in R&D.

2. Potential Impact. This company's technology must have the potential to have a substantial long-term impact on business and society in the future.

3. Growth and Sustainability. The company should have all the signs of a long-term market leader and should have well-formulated plans for future development and growth.

4. Proof of Concept. The company must have a product on the market or have proven practical applications of the technology. Companies in "stealth" mode and companies with untested ideas or models will not qualify.

5. Leadership. The company must have visionary leadership that plays a critical role in driving the company towards reaching its goals.

6. Status. The company must not currently be a Member of the World Economic Forum. This criterion applies to the parent company - thus wholly-owned subsidiaries of large firms are not eligible.

Nominees are evaluated by an external review committee comprised of technology experts with respect to the criteria above.

Transmode's optical networking portfolio continues to enjoy market success with 120% growth from 2003 to 2004 and a number of significant customer wins in 2005. New customers in 2005 include Telenor, 3 Denmark, BaneTele, Gamma Telecom, Citylink Broadband, Transport for London and PacketExchange, in addition to a number of unannounced customers in Europe and North America.

The uniqueness of the Technology Pioneer network ensures that companies involved in the development of new technologies are engaged in an integrated and interdisciplinary way. The Technology Pioneers community will provide the Foundation and its members with in-depth knowledge of some of the key technology issues facing society.

The World Economic Forum (www.weforum.org), based in Geneva, Switzerland, is an independent organization committed to improving the state of the world. Funded by the contributions of 1,000 of the world's foremost corporations, the Forum acts in the spirit of entrepreneurship in the global public interest to further economic growth and social progress. The Forum serves its members and society by creating partnerships between and among business, political, intellectual and other leaders of society to define, discuss and advance key issues on the global agenda. Incorporated in 1971 as a foundation, the World Economic Forum is impartial and not-for-profit, and is tied to no political, partisan or national interests. In 1995 the Forum was awarded NGO consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

Note to Editors:
For more information on the World Economic Forum's Technology Pioneers and the 36 nominees go to www.weforum.org/techpioneers

High-resolution, print-quality photographs of the nominees can be downloaded from www.pbase.com/forumweb/techpioneers

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