Optium Expands Alternatives for Tunability

Announces Commercial Availability of High Performance Small Form Factor Tunable Transponder


HORSHAM, Pa., Feb. 4, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Optium Corporation (Nasdaq:OPTM), a leading supplier of high-performance optical subsystems, today announced commercial availability of Optium's 10Gb/s small form factor (SFF) 300 pin tunable transponder. Optium has drawn on its expertise in the design and manufacturing of tunable optical transmission products to offer customers a compact 2.2" x 3" module that provides nearly a 60% reduction in surface area as compared to a large form factor 300 pin transponder while maintaining the same high standards of performance.

Optium's SFF tunable transponder is based on a standard 300 pin MSA and features full C- and L-band tunability. Available in both +/- 800 ps/nm and 1600 ps/nm, this product can operate at up to 11.35Gb/s, has a minimum extinction ratio of 12dB and low power dissipation. The SFF transponder is designed to accommodate multiple optical sources for all optical components, including a tunable laser, lithium niobate modulator and a receiver. The receiver can be configured as a PIN or APD and can also include an integrated VOA (variable optical attenuator).

Optium's SFF tunable transponder provides enhanced network flexibility by enabling the upgrade of single channel applications often used in metro networks. In addition, it allows customers that currently use large form factor tunable devices to achieve higher port density on their line cards without sacrificing performance.

"In short, Optium's SFF tunable transponder offers high performance in a small package," stated Tony Musto, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Optium Corporation. "This combination of performance and value creates a compelling alternative as customers look for innovative solutions to improve network agility through tunability. As a result, we are already seeing strong acceptance of this new product with existing and new customers."

The SFF transponder is the latest addition to Optium's broad portfolio of 10Gb/s and 40Gb/s transponders. Optium's SFF tunable transponder began shipping to multiple customers during the second fiscal quarter ended February 2, 2008.

About Optium Corporation

Optium is a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance optical subsystems supporting core to the edge applications for use in telecommunications and cable TV network systems. Optium's broad suite of optical transport solutions feature fixed and wavelength agile 10Gb/s and 40Gb/s transceivers and subsystems, 10Gb/s pluggable transceivers, cable TV trunking and distribution subsystems and Optium's next generation WSS ROADM product line. Quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol "OPTM," Optium is headquartered in Horsham, Pennsylvania and has offices in Sydney, Australia and Nes Ziona, Israel. For more information, visit http://www.optium.com.

Certain statements made in this press release that are not based on historical information are forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This press release contains express or implied forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, the anticipated expansion and performance of the 40Gb/s product portfolio of Optium Corporation (the "Company") as well as expected demand for such products. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. In particular, the risks and uncertainties include, among other things: risks associated with changes in the demand for the Company's products and/or aggressive competition, which may force the Company to reduce prices; risks associated with the development and acceptance of new products and product features; risks associated with the Company's products being dependent upon the ability to anticipate and quickly respond to evolving technologies and customer requirements; and other risks. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Optium Corporation undertakes no obligation to update or revise its forward looking statements contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise. For additional disclosure regarding these and other risks faced by Optium Corporation, see the disclosure contained in Optium Corporation's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the risk factors included in Optium Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed December 13, 2007. All filings are available through the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or from Optium Corporation's web site at www.optium.com.

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