Acquisition

Spirent PLC
17 October 2000


                                                       773 - 17 October 2000




                      ACQUISITION ENHANCES SPIRENT'S
                 OPTICAL NETWORK MONITORING CAPABILITIES

Spirent  plc, the international network technology company, announces that  it
has  entered into a conditional agreement to acquire the entire share  capital
and  outstanding options of Net-HOPPER Systems Inc ('Net-HOPPER') of Norcross,
Georgia   for   $85   million  and  a  further  potential  performance-related
consideration  of  up  to $10 million, both payable in  Spirent  plc  Ordinary
shares.   The acquisition is expected to be earnings-enhancing before goodwill
amortisation in the first full year.

Net-HOPPER  is a leader in Network Test Access Systems (NTAS) and  provides  a
physical layer solution for copper, digital and fibre optic broadband networks
that is compatible with all protocols and transmission speeds.  Its electronic
and  recently-introduced CRYSTALhopper TM all-optical matrix switches  provide
non-intrusive   access  to  network  traffic;  and  its   award-winning   open
architecture  PATHmaster TM software allows these circuits  to  be  tested  by
remote  performance  analysis  equipment controlled  from  a  central  Network
Management  Centre.  This avoids the time and cost associated with  visits  by
engineers to remote sites to diagnose network problems.  Net-HOPPER's  systems
are  being  deployed  by  a  number  of service  providers,  internet  service
providers and enterprise network operators.

Spirent  has  built a world leading position in Network Equipment  performance
analysis   systems,  focused  on  supporting  customers  in  the   development
laboratories  of  the  hardware manufacturers and service  providers  for  all
technologies and network types.  This equipment is now also being used in  the
live network to monitor performance and provide measurement of network quality
of  service.   This  network monitoring market has been identified  as  having
strong   technological  and  commercial  synergies  with  Spirent's   existing
activities and is a focus for strategic development.

Net-HOPPER employs 35 people and will continue to be operated post-acquisition
by  existing management.  Revenues for the year to December 2000 are  expected
to  be  around  $7  million  with rapid growth  anticipated  from  its  newly-
introduced products.

Commenting  on the acquisition, Nicholas Brookes, Chief Executive  of  Spirent
plc, said:

'Net-HOPPER  is a small but important move for us into the network  monitoring
field.   Its innovative network test access systems are already being used  by
customers  in conjunction with our AX/4000 performance analyser.   We  believe
that  the  ability to provide an integrated access and analysis solution  will
accelerate  the  success  of  both  businesses,  and  would  complement  other
development initiatives in the network monitoring market.'

The  total  number  of new shares to be issued to meet the  final  acquisition
price  will be determined by the average price of a Spirent plc share  over  a
period of 30 business days ending three business days prior to the closing  of
the  deal. Approximately 50 per cent of the shares issued at closing  must  be
retained by the vendors for at least 18 months.  The deal is expected to close
in November.


 

Enquiries:
Nicholas Brookes, Chief Executive    Spirent plc          [phone]
Eric Hutchinson, Finance Director

Jon Coles/Rupert Young               Brunswick (London)   [phone]
Sara Strong/Nina Pawlak              Brunswick (New York) [phone]

Background note:

Spirent plc is an international network technology company providing state-of-
the-art solutions with a focus on high growth, high margin activities. It is a
world  leader  in  advanced  telecommunications testing  systems  and  network
products. www.spirent.com

Spirent is quoted on the London Stock Exchange, ticker SPT, and is a FTSE  100
company.  It is classified in the Information Technology Hardware sector.  The
Company  operates  a  Level 1 American Depository Receipt  programme  (ticker:
SPNUY;  CUSIP number: 84856M100).  For information, contact Brian Heston,  The
Bank  of New York, American Depositary Receipts, 101 Barclay St, 22 West,  New
York,  NY  10286   Phone:  (212)  815  3938,  Fax:   (212)  571  3050,  email:
[e-mail]  web site: www.adrbny.com