MRV COMMUNICATIONS INC
S-3, 1998-09-22
SEMICONDUCTORS & RELATED DEVICES
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<PAGE>   1
   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON SEPTEMBER 22, 1998
                                                   REGISTRATION NO. 333- _______
================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                              --------------------

                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          DELAWARE                        3577/3674                      06-1340090
<S>                               <C>                                <C>
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF   (PRIMARY STANDARD INDUSTRIAL          (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)     CLASSIFICATION CODE NUMBER)       IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
</TABLE>

                             8943 FULLBRIGHT AVENUE
                          CHATSWORTH, CALIFORNIA 91311
                                 (818) 773-9044
                              (818) 773-0906 (FAX)
    (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                  OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)

                              --------------------

                                   NOAM LOTAN
                      PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                             8943 FULLBRIGHT AVENUE
                          CHATSWORTH, CALIFORNIA 91311
                                 (818) 773-9044
                              (818) 773-0906 (FAX)
 (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                             OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

                              --------------------

                                   Copies to:

                         Mark A. Klein, Esq.
                         Susan B. Kalman, Esq.
                         Freshman, Marantz, Orlanski,
                         Cooper & Klein
                         9100 Wilshire Boulevard, 8-East
                         Beverly Hills, CA 90212-3480
                         Telephone: (310) 273-1870
                         Facsimile: (310) 274-8357

        Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to public: From time
to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
        If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [ ]
        If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered
on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act
of 1933, check the following box. [X]
        If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
        If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
        If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule
434, please check the following box. [ ] 

                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================
                                                                                     PROPOSED
                                                                    PROPOSED         MAXIMUM
        TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF                    AMOUNT TO BE     MAXIMUM PRICE      AGGREGATE        AMOUNT OF
      SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED                 REGISTERED        PER UNIT       OFFERING PRICE   REGISTRATION FEE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                               <C>              <C>              <C>             <C>
5% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2003        $100,000,000      $ 1,000.00      $ 100,000,000      $29,500 (1)
Common Stock, par value $0.0034 per share              (2)               -                -                -
====================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

                                               (Footnotes to table on next page)

                          -----------------------------

           The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date
or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant
shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration
statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement
shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said
Section 8(a), may determine.

<PAGE>   2


Footnotes to table on outside front cover page of registration statement:

(1)     Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the amount of the
        registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(i).

(2)     Such indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock as may be issuable
        upon conversion of the 5% Convertible Subordinated Notes registered
        hereunder, including such shares as may be issuable pursuant to
        anti-dilution adjustments. Pursuant to Rule 457(i), no registration fee
        is required for these shares.



<PAGE>   3
Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A
registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor may
offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes
effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities
in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior
to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State.


                SUBJECT TO COMPLETION--DATED SEPTEMBER 22, 1998
PROSPECTUS
                                  $100,000,000
                            MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
                   5% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2003

           This Prospectus relates to the resale from time to time by the
holders (the "Selling Securityholders") of up to $100,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of 5% Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2003 (the "Notes") of
MRV Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("MRV" or the "Company"), and
the resale of shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0034 per share (the "Common
Stock"), of the Company issuable upon the conversion thereof (the "Conversion
Shares"). The Notes were originally issued by the Company in a private placement
completed on June 26, 1998 to the Initial Purchasers (as defined). The Notes
were resold by the Initial Purchasers in transactions exempt from registration
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), in the
United States to persons reasonably believed to be "qualified institutional
buyers" as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

           The Notes are convertible into shares of Common Stock at any time on
or after September 21, 1998 and prior to the close of business on the maturity
date, unless previously redeemed or repurchased, at a conversion rate of 36.9720
shares of Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes (equivalent to a
conversion price of $27.0475 per share), subject to adjustment in certain
events. See "Description of the Notes--Conversion Rights." The Company's Common
Stock is included for quotation in The Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market
(the "Nasdaq National Market") under the symbol "MRVC." On _______, 1998, the
last reported sales price of the Common Stock in the Nasdaq National Market was
$_________ per share.

           Interest on the Notes is payable on June 15 and December 15 of each
year, commencing on December 15, 1998. The Notes may be redeemed at the option
of the Company on and after June 15, 2001 in whole or in part, at the redemption
prices set forth herein, plus accrued interest to the redemption date. See
"Description of the Notes -- Optional Redemption." Upon a Change of Control (as
defined), holders of Notes will have the right, subject to certain conditions,
to require the Company to purchase all or part of their Notes at 100% of the
principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest to the repurchase date. The
Notes are not entitled to the benefits of any sinking fund.

           The Notes constitute unsecured obligations of the Company
subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future Senior Debt (as
defined) of the Company and effectively subordinated in right of payment to all
indebtedness and other liabilities of the Company's subsidiaries. As of June 30,
1998, the Company and its subsidiaries had approximately $2.9 million of
long-term debt and capital lease obligations to which the Notes were
subordinated in right of payment. The Indenture (as defined) will not restrict
the Company from incurring additional Senior Debt or the Company and its
subsidiaries from incurring indebtedness and other liabilities. See "Description
of the Notes -- Subordination."

           The Selling Securityholders may offer Notes or Conversion Shares from
time to time to purchasers directly or through underwriters, dealers or agents.
Such Notes or Conversion Shares may be sold at market prices prevailing at the
time of sale or at negotiated prices. Each Selling Securityholder will be
responsible for payment of any and all commissions to brokers, which will be
negotiated on an individual basis.

           PRIOR TO THIS OFFERING, THERE HAS BEEN NO PUBLIC MARKET FOR THE
NOTES. THE COMPANY DOES NOT INTEND TO APPLY FOR LISTING OF THE NOTES ON ANY
SECURITIES EXCHANGE OR FOR QUOTATION OF THE NOTES THROUGH ANY AUTOMATED
QUOTATION SYSTEM. PRIOR TO THIS OFFERING, THE NOTES WERE DESIGNATED FOR TRADING
ON THE PRIVATE OFFERING, RESALE AND TRADING THROUGH AUTOMATED LINKAGES
("PORTAL") MARKET. THE NOTES ARE NOT EXPECTED TO REMAIN ELIGIBLE FOR TRADING ON
THE PORTAL MARKET. THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT ANY TRADING MARKET WILL
DEVELOP FOR THE NOTES.

           The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of any
Notes or Conversion Shares by the Selling Securityholders. Expenses of preparing
and filing the registration statement to which this Prospectus relates and all
post-effective amendments will be borne by the Company. See "Plan of
Distribution" for a description of the indemnification arrangements between the
Company and the Selling Securityholders.

           SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 10 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN
FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE NOTES AND THE
COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY.

  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
   AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
                               CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                The date of this Prospectus is ___________ , 1998



<PAGE>   4

                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION

           The Company is subject to the reporting requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in
accordance therewith, files reports and other information with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy statements and
other information filed by the Company can be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities maintained by the Commission at the offices of the
Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's regional offices at Northwestern Atrium
Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511 and 7
World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such materials can also
be obtained by written request to the Public Reference Section of the Commission
at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at
prescribed rates. The Common Stock is quoted on The Nasdaq National Market.
Reports and other information concerning the Company may be inspected at the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. at 1735 K Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20006.

           The Company has filed a Registration Statement under the Securities
Act with the Commission with respect to the Securities offered by this
Prospectus. This Prospectus, which constitutes part of the Registration
Statement, omits certain of the information contained in the Registration
Statement and the exhibits thereto on file with the Commission pursuant to the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and the rules and
regulations of the Commission. Statements contained in this Prospectus such as
the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily
complete and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such contract or
other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, each such
statement being qualified in all respects by such reference. A copy of the
Registration Statement, including the exhibits thereto, may be inspected without
charge at the Commission's principal office at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary
Plaza, Washington, D.C. 20549, and copies of all or any part thereof may be
obtained from the Commission upon the payment of certain fees prescribed by the
Commission. The Commission also maintains a World Wide Web site that contains
reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding
registrants, such as the Company, that file electronically with the Commission.
The address of the site is http://www.sec.gov.

                 INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

           The following documents are incorporated herein by reference:

           (1) The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1997, filed with the Commission on April 15, 1998;

           (2) The Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters
ended March 31, 1998 and June 30, 1998 filed with the Commission on May 15, 1998
and August 14, 1998, respectively.

           (3) The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the
Commission on February 13, 1998 as amended by the Company's Current Report on
Form 8-K/A filed with the Commission on April 17, 1998.

           (4) The description of the Common Stock contained in the Company's
Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on June 8, 1992, as
amended by its Form 8-A/A filed with the Commission on February 24, 1994,
including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such
description.

           All reports and documents filed by the Company subsequent to the date
of this Prospectus pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act and prior to the termination of the offering of the Securities
covered by this Prospectus shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference and
to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.

           Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated by
reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be
modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that such
statement is modified or replaced by a statement contained in this Prospectus or
in any other subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. Any such statement so modified
or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or replaced, to
constitute a part of this Prospectus.

           The Company undertakes to provide without charge to each person to
whom a copy of this Prospectus has been delivered, upon the written or oral
request of any such person to the Company, a copy of any or all of the documents
referred to above that have been or may be incorporated into this Prospectus by
reference, (other than exhibits to such documents, unless such exhibits are
specifically incorporated by reference to such documents). Requests for such
copies should be directed to the Chief Financial Officer at MRV Communications,
Inc., 8943 Fullbright Avenue, Chatsworth, California 91311, or by fax at (818)
773-0906 or by telephone at (818) 773-9044.



                                        2
<PAGE>   5

           This Prospectus contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange
Act. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the
forward-looking statements as a result of the factors discussed in "Risk
Factors" and elsewhere in this Prospectus.

                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

           This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this
Prospectus. This summary is not complete and may not contain all of the
information that you should consider before investing in the Notes or the
Conversion Shares We have adjusted the information in this Prospectus to reflect
a 3-for-2 stock split effected on March 20, 1996 and a 2-for-1 stock split
effected on July 29, 1996. Unless stated otherwise, we have presented
information regarding outstanding shares of Common Stock assuming that warrants
and options to purchase up to 5,756,685 shares of Common Stock outstanding or
reserved for future grants at July 31, 1998 under the Company's Stock Option
Plans will not be exercised. Certain technical terms used relating to the
computer networking industry are defined in the Glossary included at page 70 of
this Prospectus.

                                   THE COMPANY

           MRV is a leading manufacturer and marketer of optical high-speed
networks that integrate switching, routing, remote access and fiber optic
transmission systems. The Company designs, manufactures and sells two groups of
products:

           -          computer networking products, primarily Ethernet local
                      area network routing switches, wide area network and
                      remote access devices and

           -          fiber optic subsystems for the transmission of voice,
                      video and data across enterprise, telecommunications and
                      cable TV networks.

The Company's advanced networking solutions greatly enhance the functionality of
local area networks, commonly called "LANs," and wide area networks, commonly
called "WANs", by reducing network congestion. At the same time, these
networking solutions allow end users to preserve their legacy investments in
pre-existing networks and provide cost-effective migration paths to next
generation technologies such as Gigabit Ethernet. The Company's fiber optic
subsystems incorporate proprietary technology, which delivers high performance
under demanding environmental conditions.

           The Company offers a family of network, switching and related
products that enhance LAN performance and facilitate the migration to next
generation technologies such as Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet and Asynchronous
Transfer Mode . MRV's MegaSwitch and GigaFrame families of switching products
range from complete switching systems to stackable switches which upgrade
performance of existing LANs by relieving network congestion without requiring
replacement of existing technologies. In addition, the Company offers
EdgeBlaster, a new remote access router that connects enterprise LANs to remote
offices and telecommuters securely through the Internet using virtual private
network technology.

           Industry analysts estimate that the market for LAN switches will grow
rapidly, from $3.7 billion in 1996 to $10.9 billion by 1999, a compound annual
growth rate of 43.3%. Industry analysts also estimate that the market for
Wavelength Division Muliplexing ("WDM") equipment will grow from $1.0 billion in
1997 to $4.0 billion in 2000, a compounded annual growth rate of 58.7%. Industry
sources published in August 1997 estimated the fiber optics market at $8.6
billion in 1997 and projected its growth to $13.2 billion in 2001, a compound
annual growth rate of 11.3%. MRV has focused on developing technologies in the
most rapidly growing segments of these markets: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet and
Gigabit Ethernet switches, and the access networks and infrastructure segments
of the fiber optic market. The rapid growth of these segments is mainly due to
increased usage and higher bandwidth needs driven by:

           -          the increased number of users connected to networks,

           -          the proliferation of the Internet and intranets,

           -          the higher bandwidth applications and multimedia content,

           -          the lower costs as a result of advances in technology and

           -          the expansion and upgrade of access networks to provide
                      advanced communication services such as high-speed
                      Internet access.



                                        3
<PAGE>   6

           MRV believes that its historical growth in revenues and net income
over the last few years is a result of its strategy, which includes

           -          targeting high potential growth markets in the
                      communications arena,

           -          bringing state of the art technology early to market,

           -          capitalizing on its manufacturing expertise and
                      proprietary technologies,

           -          expanding its worldwide distribution system and

           -          selectively acquiring complementary businesses.

           The Company's ability to bring state of the art technology early to
market has been a critical component of its success. MRV was among the first
companies to introduce Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet switches which
increase the transmission speed of traditional Ethernet LANs from 10 Mbps to 100
Mbps and 100 Mbps to 1,000 Mbps. In June 1996, MRV introduced MegaSwitch II,
which the Company believes was the first dual speed auto-negotiating Ethernet
switch with uplinks to Asynchronous Transfer Mode and Gigabit Ethernet. In July
1996, MRV started volume shipments of a new bidirectional optical transmission
and reception module for Fiber-to-the-Curb ("FTTC") applications. In November
1996, MRV's proposal to the IEEE Gigabit Ethernet Alliance ("GEA") for a new
Gigabit technology was accepted. The Company believes this acceptance validates
its technical ability and contributed to the Company's reputation for
innovation. In June 1997, MRV began shipping a series of DirectIP switching
products that provides intranets with cost effective switched networking
solutions. In late 1997, MRV introduced the GigaFrame switch, a Gigabit Ethernet
switch that provides transmission over fiber optic cable to a distance of 100
kilometers.

           MRV is rapidly expanding its marketing efforts in order to leverage
its research and development and production capabilities. The Company's
worldwide sales and marketing strategy is focused on five channels of
distribution:

           -          the Company's direct sales force;

           -          original equipment manufacturer sales and partnerships
                      with major manufacturers such as Fujitsu and Newbridge
                      Networks;

           -          value added resellers ("VARs") and systems integrators
                      used to target vertical niches;

           -          manufacturers' representatives;

           -          and domestic and international distributors.

           Recently, MRV has made a series of acquisitions that has expanded its
worldwide distribution capabilities, enhanced its research and development
efforts and broadened its product lines. These acquisitions include:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Date                                Acquisition                                                         Effect
      ----                                -----------                                                         ------
<S>                <C>                                                        <C>
May                The Company acquired the assets of Galcom                  Through the Galcom, Ace and Fibronics acquisitions
1995               Networking, Ltd. ("Galcom") and Ace 400                    MRV added established lines of complementary
                   Communications, Ltd. ("Ace") for a total of                products, a research and development and manufacturing
June               approximately $7 million.                                  facility and European and U.S. sales offices and
1995                                                                          personnel.
                   MRV acquired the assets of Elbit Ltd.'s
                   ("Elbit") Fibronics business (the "Fibronics
September          Business") for approximately $22.8 million
1996               (the "Fibronics Acquisition")
                                                                
</TABLE>



                                        4
<PAGE>   7


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

      Date                                Acquisition                                                         Effect
      ----                                -----------                                                         ------
<S>                <C>                                                        <C>
January            The Company acquired Xyplex, Inc.                          The Xyplex Acquisition is enabling MRV to expand its
1998               ("Xyplex") from Whittaker Corporation                      product lines to include products having WAN and
                   ("Whittaker") for $35,000,000 plus warrants to             remote access capabilities. This product line 
                   purchase up to 500,000 shares of MRV's                     expansion is permitting the Company to offer discrete
                   Common Stock (the "Xyplex Acquisition").                   LAN and WAN switching products and complete LAN/WAN 
                                                                              end-to-end solutions.  The Xyplex Acquisition also 
                                                                              added a significant customer base, substantially 
                                                                              increased MRV's direct sales force and extended MRV's 
                                                                              distributor channels and customer support and service 
                                                                              organizations.
</TABLE>

           In August 1998, MRV announced that it expects operating results in
the third quarter of 1998 to be adversely affected by weaker than anticipated
demand for its networking products and delays in its transitions to next
generation, higher margin, networking products. The Company expects that

           -          revenue will be down 10% to 15% from second quarter
                      revenue of $65.7 million,

           -          the gross margin percentage will be down to or slightly
                      below 43% from the second quarter percentage of 44.1%

           -          and operating expenses, consisting of selling, general and
                      administrative expenses and research and development
                      expenses, to be approximately 8% to 10% higher than
                      second quarter total operating expenses of $17.4 million.

The Company currently plans to introduce its next generation networking products
before the end of 1998.

           The Company's principal executive offices are located at 8943
Fullbright Avenue, Chatsworth, California 91311, and its telephone and fax
numbers are (818) 773-9044 and (818) 773-0906.

           As used in this Prospectus, "MRV" or the "Company" refers to MRV
Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation, its predecessor California
corporation and its wholly-owned consolidated subsidiaries, except where the
context otherwise indicates.

                         -------------------------------


BranchRunner, ControlPoint, DirectIP, EdgeBlaster, Enterprise Hub, FocalPoint,
GigaFrame, GigaHub, LANBus, MAXserver MegaStack, MegaSwitch, MegaVision, MRV
Communications, NBase, Network 9000, RouteRunner, WANscape and West Hills LAN
System and Xyplex are trademarks or trade names of the Company. Trademarks of
other companies are also used in this Prospectus and are the property of their
respective owners.



                                        5
<PAGE>   8

                                  THE OFFERING


Securities Offered                  $100,000,000 principal amount of 5%
                                    Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2003 (the
                                    "Notes") and shares of the Company's Common
                                    Stock, par value $0.0034 per share, issuable
                                    upon conversion of the Notes (the
                                    "Conversion Shares").

Conversion Rate                     36.9720 shares per $1,000 principal
                                    amount of Notes (equivalent to a conversion
                                    price of $27.0475 per share of Common
                                    Stock), subject to adjustment.


Interest  Payments                  Interest on the Notes will be
                                    payable on June 15 and December 15 of each
                                    year, commencing on December 15, 1998.


Conversion Rights                   The Notes will be convertible into
                                    shares of Common Stock of the Company at any
                                    time on or after the 90th day following the
                                    last original issue date of the Notes and
                                    prior to the close of business on the
                                    maturity date, unless previously redeemed or
                                    repurchased, at the conversion price set
                                    forth above. Holders of Notes called for
                                    redemption or repurchase will be entitled to
                                    convert the Notes to and including, but not
                                    after, the close of business on the date
                                    fixed for redemption or repurchase, as the
                                    case may be.

Redemption at the Option of the     The Notes may be redeemed at the option of  
Company                             the Company, in whole or in part, on and    
                                    after June 15, 2001 at the redemption prices
                                    set forth herein plus accrued interest to   
                                    the redemption date.                        
                                    
                                    
                                    

Repurchase at Option of Holders     Upon a Change of Control (as defined),
                                    holders of Notes will have the right,
                                    subject to certain conditions, to require
                                    the Company to purchase all or part of their
                                    Notes at 100% of the principal amount
                                    thereof, plus accrued interest to the
                                    repurchase date. The repurchase price is
                                    payable in cash.

Subordination                       The Notes will be subordinated to present
                                    and future Senior Debt (as defined) of the
                                    Company. The Notes are also effectively
                                    subordinated in right of payment to all
                                    indebtedness and other liabilities of the
                                    Company's subsidiaries. As of June 30, 1998,
                                    the Company and its subsidiaries had
                                    approximately $2.9 million of long-term debt
                                    and capital lease obligations to which the
                                    Notes were subordinated in right of payment.
                                    The Indenture does not restrict the
                                    incurrence of Senior Debt by the Company or
                                    other indebtedness or liabilities by the
                                    Company or any of its subsidiaries.



                                        6
<PAGE>   9

Events of Default                   Events of default include: (a) failure to
                                    pay principal of or premium, if any, on any
                                    Note when due, whether or not such payment
                                    is prohibited by the subordination
                                    provisions of the Indenture; (b) failure to
                                    pay any interest on any Note when due,
                                    continuing for 30 days, whether or not such
                                    payment is prohibited by the subordination
                                    provisions of the Indenture; (c) failure to
                                    provide notice in the event of a Change of
                                    Control; (d) failure to perform any other
                                    covenant of the Company in the Indenture,
                                    continuing for 60 days after written notice
                                    as provided in the Indenture; (e)
                                    indebtedness for money borrowed by the
                                    Company in an outstanding principal amount
                                    in excess of $5,000,000 is not paid at final
                                    maturity or the payment of which is
                                    accelerated and which default or
                                    acceleration is not cured or rescinded
                                    within 30 days after written notice as
                                    provided in the Indenture; and (f) certain
                                    events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
                                    reorganization.

Use of Proceeds                     The Company will not receive any proceeds
                                    from the sale of the Notes or Conversion
                                    Shares by the Selling Securityholders.

Trading                             Prior to this offering, there has been no
                                    public market for the Notes. The Company
                                    does not intend to apply for listing of the
                                    Notes on any securities exchange or for
                                    quotation of the Notes through any automated
                                    quotation system. Prior to this offering,
                                    the Notes were designated for trading on the
                                    private offering, resale and trading through
                                    automated linkages ("Portal") market. The
                                    Notes are not expected to remain eligible
                                    for trading on the Portal market. There can
                                    be no assurance that any trading market will
                                    develop for the Notes. The Company's Common
                                    Stock is included for quotation in the
                                    Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
                                    "MRVC."

Form and Denomination               The Notes offered by this Prospectus were
                                    issued only in registered form. The Notes
                                    were initially issued in minimum
                                    denominations of $1,000 and integral
                                    multiples thereof. The Notes initially sold
                                    by the Initial Purchasers were represented
                                    by a Restricted Global Note (as defined)
                                    deposited with a custodian for and
                                    registered in the name of a nominee of DTC.
                                    Except as described herein, Notes in
                                    certificated form will not be issued in
                                    exchange for a Restricted Global Note or
                                    interests therein. See "Description of the
                                    Notes-- Form and Denomination" and
                                    "--Transfer, Exchange and Withdrawal."



                                        7
<PAGE>   10

                       SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
                 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND RATIO DATA)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31                              
                                              --------------------------------------------------------------------------      
                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                  PRO
                                                                                                                 FORMA
                                               1993         1994         1995          1996          1997        1997(1)      
                                               ----         ----         ----          ----          ----        -------      
<S>                                         <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Revenues, net                               $   7,426    $  17,526    $  39,202     $  88,815     $ 165,471     $ 241,134     
Cost of goods sold                              3,936       10,328       22,608        51,478        94,709       131,713     
Operating income before unusual
  charges(3)                                    1,128        2,439        5,751        15,111        30,304         5,026     
Unusual items(3)                                   --           --       (7,676)      (29,126)         (843)      (31,343)    
Income (loss) before income taxes               1,326        2,601       (1,271)      (14,058)       32,059       (25,631)    
Net income (loss)(3)                        $     839    $   1,618    $  (1,273)    $  (9,654)    $  22,585     $ (27,727)    
Net income (loss) per share-- Basic(3)      $    0.07    $    0.13    $   (0.07)    $   (0.49)    $    0.95     $   (1.17)    
Net income (loss) per share --
  Diluted(3)                                $    0.07    $    0.13    $   (0.07)    $   (0.49)    $    0.88     $   (1.17)    
Shares used in per share
  calculation-- Basic                          11,771       12,335       18,377        19,739        23,670        23,670     
Shares used in per share
  calculation-- Diluted                        12,050       12,560       18,377        19,739        25,734        23,670     
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital                             $   3,514    $  11,303    $  22,019     $  56,973     $ 111,559     $  75,882     
Total assets                                    7,328       16,667       33,307        96,943       236,236       234,188     
Total liabilities                               1,537        3,761        8,049        43,790        45,610        69,737     
Long-term debt and obligations under                                                                                          
  capital leases                                   --           --          271        18,892         2,853         8,653     
Stockholders' equity                            5,791       12,906       25,258        41,771       189,969       163,794     
OTHER DATA:
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(3)(4)           --           --           --            --         34.4X            --     
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            
                                                 SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                    JUNE 30
                                             ----------------------
                                            
                                            
                                             1997(2)        1998(2)
                                             -------        -------
<S>                                         <C>           <C>      
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Revenues, net                               $  75,092     $ 126,568
Cost of goods sold                             43,061        70,754
Operating income before unusual
  charges(3)                                   14,235        21,708
Unusual items(3)                                 (427)      (53,765)
Income (loss) before income taxes              13,857       (30,923)
Net income (loss)(3)                        $   9,552     $ (31,286)
Net income (loss) per share -- Basic(3)     $    0.42     $   (1.18)
Net income (loss) per share --
  Diluted(3)                                 $   0.38     $   (1.18)
Shares used in per share
  calculation-- Basic                          22,501        26,440
Shares used in per share
  calculation-- Diluted                        24,892        26,440
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital                             $  66,090     $ 203,225
Total assets                                  107,239       329,279
Total liabilities                              28,148       160,445
Long-term debt and obligations under            
  capital leases                                1,589       102,886
Stockholders' equity                           78,169       166,201
Other data:
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(3)(4)        28.1X            --
</TABLE>


(1)     In January 1998, The Company acquired Xyplex for $35,000,000 plus
        warrants to purchase up to 500,000 shares of MRV'S Common Stock. The
        Xyplex Acquisition was accounted for as a purchase. The pro forma
        selected statement of operations and balance sheet data for the year
        ended December 31, 1997 were derived from the pro forma financial
        statements of the Company and Xyplex included elsewhere herein. The
        unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet assumes that the Xyplex
        Acquisition took place on December 31, 1997 and consolidates MRV'S
        December 31, 1997 consolidated balance sheet with Xyplex's October 31,
        1997 balance sheet. The unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of
        income assumes that the Xyplex Acquisition took place as of January 1,
        1997 and consolidates MRV'S consolidated statement of operations for the
        year ended December 31, 1997 with Xyplex's statement of operations for
        the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997. See "Unaudited Pro Forma
        Consolidated Financial Statements" included herein.

(2)     The selected statement of operations data for the six months ended June
        30, 1997 and 1998 are derived from the Company's unaudited financial
        statements included elsewhere herein, which in the opinion of
        management, reflect all normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a
        fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations
        for each of the periods presented. The Company has included the results
        of operations of Xyplex with its consolidated results beginning on
        January 31, 1998, the day following completion of the Xyplex
        Acquisition.

(3)     The unusual charges consist of purchased technology in progress,
        restructuring charges and interest expense incurred in connection with
        acquisitions. Purchased technology in progress for the year ended
        December 31, 1995 was $6,211,000. The purchased technology was for




                                       8
<PAGE>   11
        research and development ("R&D") projects in progress at the time of
        acquisition of assets from Ace and Galcom. Restructuring costs during
        the year ended December 31, 1995 were $1,456,000 and were associated
        with a plan adopted by the Company in 1995 calling for the merger of the
        newly acquired subsidiaries and the Company's LAN product division. The
        plan also called for the closure of some facilities, termination of
        redundant employees and cancellation of representation agreement.
        Purchased technology in progress for the year ended December 31, 1996
        was $17,795,000 and was in conjunction with the Fibronics Acquisition.
        Restructuring costs during the year ended December 31, 1996 were
        $6,974,000 and were associated with a plan adopted by the Company on
        September 30, 1996 calling for the reduction of workforce, closing of
        certain facilities, elimination of particular product lines due to this
        acquisition and other items. Interest expenses related to the
        acquisition for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997 were
        $4,357,000 and $843,000, respectively, and were connected with the
        private placement of $30 million principal amount of Debentures, the
        proceeds from which the Company used to finance the cash portion of the
        Fibronics Acquisition. Unusual charges were not material to net income
        for the year ended December 31, 1997. Purchased technology in progress
        for the six months ended June 30, 1998 was $30,571,000 in conjunction
        with the Xyplex Acquisition. Restructuring costs during the six months
        ended June 30, 1998 were $23,194,000 and were associated with a plan
        adopted by the Company in March 1998 calling for the reduction of
        workforce, closing of certain facilities, elimination of particular
        product lines, settlement of distribution agreements and other costs
        resulting from this acquisition. Unusual charges were not material to
        net income for the six months ended June 30, 1997.

(4)     The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is computed by dividing earnings
        by fixed charges. For this purpose, "earnings" include pretax income
        from continuing operations plus fixed charges. "Fixed charges" include
        interest, whether expensed or capitalized, amortization of debt expense
        and the portion of rental expense that is representative of the interest
        factor in these rentals. The Company had no fixed charges in 1993 and
        1994. Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges in 1995, 1996,
        proforma 1997 and for the six months ended June 30, 1998 by
        $1,271,000, $14,058,000, $23,699,000 and $30,923,000, respectively.



                                        9
<PAGE>   12

                                  RISK FACTORS

           This Prospectus contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Such forward-looking
statements may be deemed to include the Company's plans to develop and offer new
and enhanced networking and optical transmission products and its efforts to
expand its customer base. Such forward-looking statements may also be deemed to
include the Company's expectations concerning factors affecting the markets for
its products, the growth in those markets in general, the timing of new product
introductions by the Company and anticipated benefits from such product
introductions or technological developments. Such forward-looking statements
also may include the Company's expectations of benefits from the acquisition of
Xyplex or its OEM or other arrangements with certain of its customers. Actual
results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements for,
among other things, the reasons detailed in the other sections of this "Risk
Factors" section. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this
Prospectus and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking
statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those
projected in the forward-looking statements.

           RISKS OF TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE; DEVELOPMENT DELAYS. The Company is
engaged in the design and development of devices for the computer networking,
telecommunications and fiber optic communication industries. As with any new
technologies, there is a substantial risk that the marketplace may not accept
the Company's new products. Market acceptance of the Company's products will
depend, in large part, upon the ability of the Company to demonstrate
performance and cost advantages and cost-effectiveness of its products over
competing products and the success of the sales efforts of the Company and its
customers. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to continue
to market its technology successfully or that any of the Company's current or
future products will be accepted in the marketplace. Moreover, the computer
networking, telecommunications and fiber optic communication industries are
characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards and
frequent new product introductions, any of which could render the Company's
existing products obsolete. The Company's success will depend upon its ability
to enhance existing products and to introduce new products to meet changing
customer requirements and emerging industry standards. The Company will be
required to devote continued efforts and financial resources to develop and
enhance its existing products and conduct research to develop new products. The
development of new, technologically advanced products is a complex and uncertain
process requiring high levels of innovation, as well as the accurate
anticipation of technological and market trends. There can be no assurance that
the Company will be able to identify, develop, manufacture, market or support
new or enhanced products successfully or on a timely basis, that new Company
products will gain market acceptance or that the Company will be able to respond
effectively to product announcements by competitors, technological changes or
emerging industry standards. Furthermore, from time to time, the Company may
announce new products or product enhancements, capabilities or technologies that
have the potential to replace or shorten the life cycle of the Company's
existing product offerings and that may cause customers to defer purchasing
existing Company products or cause customers to return products to the Company.

           COMPLEXITY OF PRODUCT AND PRODUCT DEFECTS. Complex products, such as
those offered by the Company, may contain undetected software or hardware errors
when first introduced or when new versions are released. While the Company has
not experienced such errors in the past, the occurrence of such errors in the
future could, and the inability to correct such errors, could result in the
delay or loss of market acceptance of the Company's products, material warranty
expense, diversion of engineering and other resources from the Company's product
development efforts and the loss of credibility with the Company's customers,
system integrators and end users, any of which could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, operating results and financial condition.

           POTENTIAL FLUCTUATIONS IN OPERATING RESULTS. The Company's revenue
and operating results could fluctuate substantially from quarter to quarter and
from year to year. This could result from any one or a combination of factors
such as the cancellation or postponement of orders, the timing and amount of
significant orders from the Company's largest customers, the Company's success
in developing, introducing and shipping product enhancements and new products,
the product mix sold by the Company, adverse effects to the Company's financial
statements resulting from, or necessitated by, possible future acquisitions, new
product introductions by the Company's competitors, pricing actions by the
Company or its competitors, the timing of delivery and availability of
components from suppliers, changes in material costs and general economic
conditions. Moreover, the volume and timing of orders received during a quarter
are difficult to forecast. From time to time, the Company's customers encounter
uncertain and changing demand for their products. Customers generally order
based on their forecasts. If demand falls below such forecasts or if customers
do not control inventories effectively, they may cancel or reschedule shipments
previously ordered from the Company. The Company's expense levels during any
particular period are based, in part, on expectations of future sales. If sales
in a particular quarter do not meet expectations, operating results could be
materially adversely affected. Moreover, in certain instances, sales cycles are
becoming longer and more uncertain as MRV bids on larger projects. As a result,
MRV is finding it more difficult to predict the timing of the awards of
contracts and the actual placement of orders stemming from awards. There can be
no assurance that these factors or others, such as those discussed in
"International



                                       10
<PAGE>   13

Operations" or those discussed in the next paragraph would not cause future
fluctuations in operating results. Further, there can be no assurance that the
Company will be able to sustain its historical rate of growth or continue
profitable operations.

           As a result of some of the factors discussed above, specifically,
weaker than anticipated demand for its networking products, especially in
Europe, and delays in its transitions to next generation, higher margin,
networking products, in August 1998, MRV announced that it expects operating
results in the third quarter of 1998 to be adversely affected. In this regard,
the Company expects that revenue will be down 10 to 15 percent from second
quarter revenue of $65.7 million, gross margin percentage will be down to or
slightly below 43 percent from the second quarter percentage of 44.1 percent and
operating expenses, consisting of selling, general and administrative expenses
and research and development expenses, to be approximately 8 to 10 percent
higher than second quarter total operating expenses of $17.4 million. Following
that announcement, the market price of the Company's Common Stock dropped
substantially. See "Price Range of Common Stock."

           COMPETITION AND INDUSTRY CONSOLIDATION. The markets for fiber optic
components and network switching products are intensely competitive and subject
to frequent product introductions with improved price/performance
characteristics, rapid technological change and the continual emergence of new
industry standards. The Company competes and will compete with numerous types of
companies including companies which have been established for many years and
have considerably greater financial, marketing, technical, human and other
resources, as well as greater name recognition and a larger installed customer
base, than the Company. This may give such competitors certain advantages,
including the ability to negotiate lower prices on raw materials and components
than those available to the Company. In addition, many of the Company's large
competitors offer customers broader product lines which provide more
comprehensive solutions than the Company currently offers. The Company expects
that other companies will also enter markets in which the Company competes.
Increased competition could result in significant price competition, reduced
profit margins or loss of market share. There can be no assurance that the
Company will be able to compete successfully with existing or future competitors
or that competitive pressures faced by the Company will not materially and
adversely affect the business, operating results and financial condition of the
Company.

           There has been a trend toward industry consolidation for several
years. The Company expects this trend toward industry consolidation to continue
as companies attempt to strengthen or hold their market positions in an evolving
industry. The Company believes that industry consolidation may provide stronger
competitors that are better able to compete. This could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, operating results and financial condition.

           MANAGEMENT OF GROWTH. The Company has grown rapidly in recent years,
with revenues increasing from $7,426,000 for the year ended December 31, 1993,
to $39,202,000, $88,815,000 and $165,471,000 for the years ended December 31,
1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively. The Company's recent growth, both internally
and through the acquisitions it has made since January 1, 1995, has placed a
significant strain on the Company's financial and management personnel and
information systems and controls, and the Company must implement new and enhance
existing financial and management information systems and controls and must add
and train personnel to operate such systems effectively. While the strain placed
on the Company's personnel and systems has not had a material adverse effect on
the Company to date, there can be no assurance that a delay or failure to
implement new and enhance existing systems and controls will not have such an
effect in the future. The Company's recent growth through the acquisitions of
the Fibronics Business and Xyplex discussed in "Risks Associated with Recent
Acquisitions and Potential Future Acquisitions" below and its intention to
continue to pursue its growth strategy through efforts to increase sales of
existing and new products can be expected to place even greater pressure on the
Company's existing personnel and compound the need for increased personnel,
expanded information systems, and additional financial and administrative
control procedures. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
successfully manage expanding operations.

           RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH RECENT ACQUISITIONS AND POTENTIAL FUTURE
ACQUISITIONS. On September 26, 1996, the Company completed the Fibronics
Acquisition from Elbit of certain of the assets and selected liabilities of
Fibronics related to Fibronics' computer networking and telecommunications
businesses in Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands
and Israel. The assets acquired included Fibronics' technology in progress and
existing technology, its marketing channels, its GigaHub family of computer
networking products and other rights. The purchase price for the Fibronics
Business was approximately $22,800,000, which was paid using a combination of
cash and Common Stock of the Company. During the years ended December 31, 1994
and 1995, and the period from January 1, 1996 through September 25, 1996 (the
day the Fibronics Business was acquired by the Company), the Fibronics Business
reported net revenues of $33,355,000, $35,003,000 and $19,481,000, respectively,
and net income (losses) of $(11,557,000), $79,000 and $(6,143,000),
respectively. In connection with the Fibronics Acquisition, the Company incurred
charges of $17,795,000, $6,974,000 and $5,200,000 for purchased technology,
restructuring and interest expense related to financing, respectively. These
charges caused the Company to incur a net loss of $9,654,000 for the year ended
December 31, 1996.



                                       11
<PAGE>   14

           On January 30, 1998, MRV completed the Xyplex Acquisition from
Whittaker. Xyplex is a leading provider of access solutions between enterprise
networks and WAN and/or Internet service providers ("ISPs"). The purchase price
paid to Whittaker consisted of $35,000,000 in cash and three-year warrants to
purchase up to 500,000 shares of common stock of the Company at an exercise
price of $35 per share. During the year ended December 31, 1995, the period from
January 1, 1996 through April 9, 1996 (the day Xyplex was acquired by
Whittaker), the period from April 10, 1996 through October 31, 1996 and the
fiscal year ended October 31, 1997, Xyplex reported net revenues of
$107,617,000, $28,100,000, $52,021,000, and $75,663,000, respectively, and net
losses of $37,360,000, $2,269,000, $13,353,000 and $80,309,000, respectively. In
connection with the Xyplex Acquisition, the Company incurred charges of
$30,571,000 and $23,194,000 for purchased technology and restructuring. Assuming
the Xyplex Acquisition had occurred on January 1, 1997, pro forma combined
results of the Company and Xyplex for the year ended December 31, 1997 reflect
net revenues of $241,134,000 and a net loss of $27,727,000. While the Xyplex
Acquisition will add 11 months of Xyplex' revenues to those of the Company, the
charges resulting from the Xyplex Acquisition resulted in MRV incurring a net
loss of $31,286,000 or $1.18 per share during the six months ended June 30, 1998
and are expected to have a material adverse effect on the net operating results
the Company expects to report during remaining cumulative periods reported for
the year ending December 31, 1998. The Company's ability to operate Xyplex
profitably will depend upon its ability to integrate this business successfully,
including (i) the completion of Xyplex' research and development projects in
process, especially the EdgeBlaster program, (ii) the integration of the
products, technologies and personnel of Xyplex into the Company, (iii)
management's ability to reduce Xyplex' operating costs, (iv) the continued
market acceptance of Xyplex' products and technology and (v) the ability of the
Company to uphold promises to deliver products with product features and
improvements promised by former management prior to the acquisition.

           An important element of management's strategy is to review
acquisition prospects that would complement the Company's existing products,
augment its market coverage and distribution ability or enhance its
technological capabilities. Accordingly, the Company may acquire additional
businesses, products or technologies in the future. Future acquisitions by the
Company could result in charges similar to those incurred in connection with the
Fibronics Acquisition and the Xyplex Acquisition, potentially dilutive issuances
of equity securities, the incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities and
amortization expenses related to goodwill and other intangible assets, any of
which could materially adversely affect the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations and/or the price of the Company's Common
Stock. Acquisitions entail numerous risks, including the assimilation of the
acquired operations, technologies and products, diversion of management's
attention to other business concerns, risks of entering markets in which the
Company has no or limited prior experience, the potential loss of key employees
of acquired organizations and difficulties in honoring commitments made to
customers by management of the acquired entity prior to the acquisition. Prior
to the Fibronics Acquisition, management had only limited experience in
assimilating acquired organizations. There can be no assurance as to the ability
of the Company to successfully integrate the products, technologies or personnel
of any business that might be acquired in the future, and the failure of the
Company to do so could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations.

           INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS. International sales have become an
increasingly important segment of the Company's operations, with the
acquisitions of Galcom and Ace in 1995, the Fibronics Business in 1996 and
Xyplex in 1998. Approximately 45%, 53% and 60% of the Company's net revenues for
the years ended December 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively, were from sales to
customers in foreign countries. The Company has offices in, and conducts a
significant portion of its operations in and from, Israel. MRV is, therefore,
directly influenced by the political and economic conditions affecting Israel.
Any major hostilities involving Israel, the interruption or curtailment of trade
between Israel and its trading partners or a substantial downturn in the
economic or financial condition of Israel could have a material adverse effect
on the Company's operations. Sales to foreign customers are subject to
government controls and other risks associated with international sales,
including difficulties in obtaining export licenses, fluctuations in currency
exchange rates, political instability, trade restrictions and changes in duty
rates. Although the Company has not experienced any material difficulties in
this regard to date, there can be no assurance that it will not experience any
such material difficulties in the future. The Company's sales are currently
denominated in U.S. dollars and to date its business has not been significantly
affected by currency fluctuations or inflation. However, the Company conducts
business in several different countries and thus fluctuations in currency
exchange rates could cause the Company's products to become relatively more
expensive in particular countries, leading to a reduction in sales in that
country. In addition, inflation in such countries could increase the Company's
expenses. To date, the Company has not hedged against currency exchange risks.
In the future, the Company may engage in foreign currency denominated sales or
pay material amounts of expenses in foreign currencies and, in such event, may
experience gains and losses due to currency fluctuations. The Company's
operating results could be adversely affected by such fluctuations or as a
result of inflation in particular countries where material expenses are
incurred. Moreover, the Company's operating results could also be adversely
affected by seasonality of international sales, which are typically lower in
Asia in the first calendar quarter and in Europe in the third calendar quarter.
These international factors could have a material adverse effect on future sales
of the Company's products to international end-users and, consequently, the
Company's business, operating results and financial condition.



                                       12
<PAGE>   15

           MANUFACTURING AND DEPENDENCE ON SUPPLIERS AND THIRD PARTY
MANUFACTURERS. The Company uses internally developed Application Specific
Integrated Circuits ("ASICs"), which provide the functionality of multiple
integrated circuits in one chip, in the manufacture of its LAN switching
products. To develop ASICs successfully, the Company must transfer a code of
instructions to a single mask from which low cost duplicates can be made. Each
iteration of a mask involves a substantial upfront cost, which costs can
adversely affect the Company's result of operations and financial condition if
errors or "bugs" occur following multiple duplication of the masks. While the
Company has not experienced material expenses to date as a result of errors
discovered in ASIC masks, because of the complexity of the duplication process
and the difficulty in detecting errors, the Company could suffer a material
adverse effect to its operating results and financial condition if errors in
developing ASICs were to occur in the future. Moreover, the Company currently
relies on a single, unaffiliated foundry, Chip Express, to fabricate its ASICs.
The Company does not have a long-term supply contract with Chip Express, any
other ASIC vendor or any other of its limited source vendors, purchasing all of
such components on a purchase order basis under standard terms of sale. While
the Company believes it would be able to obtain alternative sources of supply
for the ASICs or other key components, a change in ASIC or other suppliers of
key components could require a significant lead time and, therefore, could
result in a delay in product shipments. While the Company has not experienced
delays in the receipt of ASICs or other key components, any future difficulty in
obtaining any of these key components could result in delays or reductions in
product shipments which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, operating results and financial condition.

           The Company outsources the board-level assembly, test and quality
control of material, components, subassemblies and systems relating to its
networking products to third party contract manufacturers. Though there are a
large number of contract manufacturers which the Company can use for its
outsourcing, it has elected to use a limited number of vendors for a significant
portion of board assembly requirements in order to foster consistency in quality
of the products. These independent third party manufacturers also provide these
services to other companies. Risks associated with the use of independent
manufacturers include unavailability of or delays in obtaining adequate supplies
of products and reduced control of manufacturing quality and production costs.
If the Company's contract manufacturers fail to deliver products in the future
on a timely basis, or at all, it could be difficult for the Company to obtain
adequate supplies of products from other sources in the near term. There can be
no assurance that the Company's third party manufacturers will provide adequate
supplies of quality products on a timely basis, or at all. While the Company
could outsource with other vendors, a change in vendors may require significant
lead time and may result in shipment delays and expenses. The inability to
obtain such products on a timely basis, the loss of a vendor or a change in the
terms and conditions of the outsourcing would have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business, operating results and financial condition.

           The Company relies almost exclusively on its own production
capability for critical semiconductor lasers and light emitting diodes ("LEDs")
used in its products. Because the Company manufactures these and other key
components of its products at its own facility and such components are not
readily available from other sources, any interruption of the Company's
manufacturing process could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
operations. Furthermore, the Company has a limited number of employees dedicated
to the operation and maintenance of its wafer fabrication equipment, the loss of
any of whom could result in the Company's inability to effectively operate and
service such equipment. Wafer fabrication is sensitive to many factors,
including variations and impurities in the raw materials, the fabrication
process, performance of the manufacturing equipment, defects in the masks used
to print circuits on the wafer and the level of contaminants in the
manufacturing environment. There can be no assurance that the Company will be
able to maintain acceptable production yields and avoid product shipment delays.
In the event adequate production yields are not achieved, resulting in product
shipment delays, the Company's business, operating results and financial
condition could be materially adversely affected.

           SHARE PRICES HAVE BEEN AND MAY CONTINUE TO BE HIGHLY VOLATILE.
Historically, the market price of the Company's Common Stock has been extremely
volatile. The market price of the Common Stock is likely to continue to be
highly volatile and could be significantly affected by factors such as actual or
anticipated fluctuations in the Company's operating results, announcement of
technological innovations or new product introductions by the Company or its
competitors, changes of estimates of the Company's future operating results by
securities analysts, developments with respect to patents, copyrights or
proprietary rights, general market conditions and other factors. In addition,
the stock market has from time to time experienced significant price and volume
fluctuations that have particularly affected the market prices for the common
stocks of technology companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely
affect the market price of the Company's Common Stock. In addition, it is
possible that in a future fiscal quarter, the Company's results of operations
will fail to meet the expectations of securities analysts or investors and, in
such event, the market price of the Company's Common Stock would be materially
adversely affected. For example, following the Company's August 1998
announcement that weaker than anticipated demand for its networking products,
especially in Europe, and delays in its transitions to next generation, higher
margin, networking products would adversely affect operating results that MRV
expects to report in the third quarter of 1998, the market price of the
Company's Common Stock dropped substantially. See " - Potential Fluctuations in
Operating Results" and "Price Range of Common Stock."



                                       13
<PAGE>   16

           PRESENT LACK OF PATENT PROTECTION; DEPENDENCE ON PROPRIETARY
TECHNOLOGY. The Company holds no patents and only recently has filed two patent
applications and a provisional patent application in the United States with
respect to certain aspects of its technology. With the Xyplex Acquisition, MRV
acquired five additional provisional patent applications filed by Xyplex on
certain aspects of its technology. The Company currently relies on copyrights,
trade secrets and unpatented proprietary know-how, which may be duplicated by
others. The Company employs various methods, including confidentiality
agreements with employees and suppliers, to protect its proprietary know-how.
Such methods may not afford complete protection, however, and there can be no
assurance that others will not independently develop such know-how or obtain
access to it or independently develop technologies that are substantially
equivalent or superior to the Company's technology. In the event that protective
measures are not successful, the Company's business, operating results and
financial condition could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, the
laws of some foreign countries do not protect the Company's proprietary rights
to the same extent as do the laws of the United States. There can be no
assurance that any patents will be issued as a result of the pending
applications, including the provisional patent application, or any future patent
applications, or, if issued, will provide the Company with meaningful protection
from competition. In addition, there can be no assurance that any patents issued
to the Company will not be challenged, invalidated or circumvented. The
electronics industry has been characterized by extensive litigation regarding
patents and other intellectual property rights, and companies in the electronics
industry have employed intellectual property litigation to gain a competitive
advantage. Since United States patent applications are presently maintained in
secrecy until patents issue and since the publication of inventions in technical
or patent literature tends to lag behind such patent application filings by
several months, the Company cannot be certain that it was the first inventor of
inventions covered by pending United States patent applications or that the
Company is not infringing on the patents of others. Litigation may be necessary
to enforce any patents that may be issued to the Company or other intellectual
property rights of the Company, to protect the Company's trade secrets, to
determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others or to
defend against claims of infringement. Such litigation could result in
substantial costs and diversion of resources and could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations
regardless of the final outcome of such litigation. In the event that any of the
Company's products are found to infringe on the intellectual property rights of
third parties, the Company would be required to seek a license with respect to
such patented technology, or incur substantial costs to redesign the infringing
products. There can be no assurance that any such license would be available on
terms acceptable to the Company or at all, that any of the Company's products
could be redesigned on an economical basis or at all, or that any such
redesigned products would be competitive with the products of the Company's
competitors.

           By letter to the Company dated March 19, 1997, a party has made a
claim against the Company alleging that the Company's DirectIP switching
products make use of unspecified information and know-how covered by a pending
patent application of such party. This allegation is under review by the Company
and the Company believes that the allegation is without merit. However, a
complete assessment cannot be made with respect to the merits of the allegation
until further details of the information and know-how are provided by such third
party. Currently, sales of DirectIP products are not material to the Company,
however, if the DirectIP switching products comprise a material part of the
Company's revenues in the future and a conclusion in respect of the claim
unfavorable to the Company is reached, the claim, if pursued by such party,
could materially and adversely affect the business, operating results and
financial condition of the Company. In addition, on December 27, 1996, Datapoint
Corporation ("Datapoint") brought an action against NBase Communications, Inc.,
a subsidiary of the Company ("NBase"), and others alleging infringement of two
of Datapoint's patents. The other defendants include Dayna Communications, Inc.,
Sun Microsystems, Inc., Adaptec, Inc., International Business Machines
Corporation, Lantronix and SVEC America Computer Corporation. Intel and Cisco
Systems, Inc. have also had actions brought against them by Datapoint with
respect to the same two patents. The Company is cooperating with several of
these companies in pursuit of common defenses and believes it has meritorious
defenses to this action. If a conclusion unfavorable to the Company is reached,
however, Datapoint's claim could materially and adversely affect the business,
operating results and financial condition of the Company. For further
information concerning this litigation, see "Business -- Legal Proceedings."

           RISKS FROM YEAR 2000 ISSUES. Many existing computer programs,
including some programs used by the Company, use only two digits to identify a
year in the date field. These programs were designed without considering the
impact of the upcoming change in the century. If not corrected, these computer
applications and systems could fail or create erroneous results by, at, or after
the year 2000. Based on the Company's investigation to date, management does not
anticipate that the Company will incur material operating expenses or be
required to incur material costs to be year 2000 compliant. To the extent the
Company's systems are not fully year 2000 compliant, there can be no assurance
that potential systems interruptions or the cost necessary to update software
would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition, results or operations and business prospects.

            DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL. The Company is substantially dependent
upon a number of key employees, including Dr. Shlomo Margalit, its Chairman of
the Board of Directors and Chief Technical Officer, Dr. Zeev Rav-Noy, its Chief
Operating Officer, and Noam Lotan, its President and Chief Executive Officer.
The loss of the services of any one or more of these officers



                                       14
<PAGE>   17

could have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company has entered
into employment agreements with each officer and owns and is the beneficiary of
key man life insurance policies in the amounts of $1,000,000 each on the lives
of Drs. Margalit and Rav-Noy and Mr. Lotan. There can be no assurance that the
proceeds from these policies will be sufficient to compensate the Company in the
event of the death of any of these individuals, and the policies do not cover
the Company in the event that any of them becomes disabled or is otherwise
unable to render services to the Company.

           ATTRACTION AND RETENTION OF QUALIFIED PERSONNEL. The Company's
ability to develop, manufacture and market its products and its ability to
compete with its current and future competitors depends, and will depend, in
large part, on its ability to attract and retain qualified personnel.
Competition for qualified personnel in the networking and fiber optics
industries is intense, and the Company will be required to compete for such
personnel with companies having substantially greater financial and other
resources than the Company. If the Company should be unable to attract and
retain qualified personnel, the business of the Company could be materially
adversely affected. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
attract and retain qualified personnel.

           POSSIBLE ISSUANCE OF PREFERRED STOCK; ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS. The
Company is authorized to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par
value $.01 per share (the "Preferred Stock"). The Preferred Stock may be issued
in one or more series, the terms of which may be determined at the time of
issuance by the Board of Directors without further action by stockholders. The
terms of any such series of preferred stock may include voting rights (including
the right to vote as a series on particular matters), preferences as to
dividend, liquidation, conversion and redemption rights and sinking fund
provisions. No preferred stock is currently outstanding. The issuance of any
such preferred stock could materially adversely affect the rights of the holders
of Common Stock, and therefore, reduce the value of the Common Stock. In
particular, specific rights granted to future holders of preferred stock could
be used to restrict the Company's ability to merge with, or sell its assets to,
a third party, thereby preserving control of the Company by the present owners.

           SUBORDINATION. The Notes will be unsecured and subordinated in right
of payment to all existing and future Senior Debt of the Company. As a result,
in the event of the Company's liquidation or insolvency, a payment or covenant
default with respect to Senior Debt, or upon acceleration of the Notes due to an
event of default, the assets of the Company will be available to pay obligations
on the Notes only after all Senior Debt has been paid in full, and there may not
be sufficient assets remaining to repay in full all of the Notes then
outstanding. The Notes are also effectively subordinated in right of payment to
all indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables, of the
Company's subsidiaries. The incurrence of additional indebtedness and other
liabilities by the Company or its subsidiaries could adversely affect the
Company's ability to pay its obligations on the Notes. The Indenture does not
limit the Company's ability to incur Senior Debt or the Company's or any
subsidiary's ability to incur other indebtedness and liabilities. Senior Debt
includes substantially all indebtedness of the Company other than all
indebtedness that is made subordinate to or pari passu with the Notes by the
instrument creating the indebtedness. As of June 30, 1998, the Company and its
subsidiaries had approximately $2.9 million of long-term debt and capital lease
obligations to which the Notes were subordinated in right of payment. See
"Description of Notes -- Subordination".

           REPURCHASE OF NOTES AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS UPON A CHANGE OF
CONTROL; AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS. In the event of a Change of Control (as defined
herein), each holder of Notes has the right to require the Company to repurchase
the Notes in whole or in part at a redemption price of 100% of the principal
amount thereof, plus accrued interest to the repurchase date. If a Change of
Control were to occur, there can be no assurance that the Company would have the
financial resources or be able to arrange financing on acceptable terms to pay
the repurchase price for all the Notes as to which the purchase right is
exercised. Further, any repurchase in connection with a Change of Control could,
depending on the circumstances and absent a waiver from the holders of Senior
Debt, be blocked by the subordination provisions of the Notes. See "Description
of Notes -- Subordination." Failure by the Company to repurchase the Notes when
required may result in an Event of Default with respect to the Notes (and with
respect to Senior Debt) whether or not such repurchase is permitted by the
subordination provisions. See "Description of Notes."

           ABSENCE OF PRIOR PUBLIC MARKET. Prior to this offering, there has
been no public trading market for the Notes and there can be no assurance as to
the liquidity of any markets that may develop for the Notes, the ability of the
holders to sell their Notes or the price at which holders of the Notes may be
able to sell their Notes. Future trading prices of the Notes will depend on many
factors, including, among other things, prevailing interest rates, the Company's
operating results, the price of the Common Stock and the market for similar
securities. The Initial Purchasers have informed the Company that they intend to
make a market in the Notes offered by this Prospectus; however, the Initial
Purchasers are not obligated to do so, and any such market making activity may
be terminated at any time without notice to the holders of the Notes. The Notes
have been designated for trading in the Portal market; however, the Company does
not intend to apply for listing of the Notes on any securities exchange or for
quotation through Nasdaq and it is not expected that the Notes will remain
eligible for trading on the Portal Market following this offering.



                                       15
<PAGE>   18

           DIVIDEND POLICY. The Company has never declared or paid a cash
dividend and the Company does not intend to declare or pay any cash dividends on
the Common Stock in the future. The declaration and payment of dividends by the
Company will be at the discretion of the board of directors of the Company.
There can be no assurance that any dividends will be paid in the future.

                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

           The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Notes
or the Conversion Shares by the Selling Securityholders.

                                 DIVIDEND POLICY

           The Company has not declared or paid cash dividends on the Common
Stock since its inception. The Company currently intends to retain all of its
earnings, if any, for use in the operation and expansion of its business and
does not intend to declare or pay any cash dividends to its stockholders in the
foreseeable future. The declaration or payment of dividends is at the discretion
of the board of directors.



                                       16
<PAGE>   19

                           PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK

           The Company's Common Stock is included for quotation in the Nasdaq
National Market under the symbol "MRVC." The following table sets forth the high
and low closing sale prices of the Common Stock for the periods indicated as
reported by the Nasdaq National Market.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           High         Low
                                                           ----         ---
<S>                                                      <C>         <C>     
1996:
  First Quarter........................................  $  17.67    $   8.42
  Second Quarter.......................................     37.13       15.63
  Third Quarter........................................     27.94       15.00
  Fourth Quarter.......................................     24.88       17.00
1997:
  First Quarter........................................     29.88       18.25
  Second Quarter.......................................     30.75       18.25
  Third Quarter........................................     38.75       25.75
  Fourth Quarter.......................................     37.75       21.13
1998:
  First Quarter........................................     29.00       21.13
  Second Quarter ......................................     28.38       19.38
  Third Quarter (through September 21, 1998) ..........     23.32        5.63
</TABLE>

           At July 31, 1998, the Company had 277 stockholders of record, as
indicated on the records of the Company's transfer agent, who held, management
believes, for approximately 18,200 beneficial holders.

           On September 21, 1998, the last reported sales price of the Common
Stock was $7.13 per share as reported by the Nasdaq National Market.



                                       17
<PAGE>   20

                                 CAPITALIZATION

           The following table sets forth the capitalization of the Company at
June 30, 1998. The financial data in the following table should be read in
conjunction with the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes
thereto included elsewhere in this Prospectus.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     AT JUNE 30,
                                                                                                        1998
                                                                                                     (DOLLARS IN
                                                                                                      THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                                  <C>       
Current maturities of capital lease obligations................................................       $      141
                                                                                                      ==========
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion..............................................       $      882
Convertible subordinated notes due 2003........................................................          100,000
Other long-term liabilities....................................................................            1,579
                                                                                                      ----------
          Total financing lease obligations and long-term liabilities..........................          102,461
Minority interests.............................................................................            2,633
Stockholders' equity:
     Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 1,000,000 shares,
      no shares outstanding or as adjusted.....................................................               --
     Common stock, $0.0034 par value: authorized 40,000,000
      shares(1); issued and outstanding, 26,519,721 shares actual
      and as adjusted..........................................................................               90
  Additional paid-in capital...................................................................          183,324
  Retained earnings (deficit)..................................................................          (16,651)
  Cumulative translation adjustment............................................................             (562)
                                                                                                      ----------
     Total stockholders' equity................................................................          166,201
                                                                                                      ----------
          Total capitalization.................................................................       $  271,295
                                                                                                      ==========
</TABLE>

- ----------

(1)         The Company plans to seek approval to increase its authorized Common
            Stock to 80,000,000 shares at its 1998 Annual Meeting of
            Shareholders.



                                       18
<PAGE>   21

                                   THE COMPANY

           MRV is a leading manufacturer and marketer of optical high speed
networks that integrate switching, routing, remote access and fiber optic
transmission systems. The Company designs, manufactures and sells two groups of
products: (i) computer networking products, primarily Ethernet LAN routing
switches, WAN and remote access devices and (ii) fiber optic components for the
transmission of voice, video and data across enterprise, telecommunications and
cable TV networks. The Company's advanced networking solutions greatly enhance
the functionality of LANs and WANs by reducing network congestion while allowing
end users to preserve their legacy investments in pre-existing networks and
providing cost-effective migration paths to next generation technologies such as
Gigabit Ethernet. The Company's fiber optic components incorporate proprietary
technology which delivers high performance under demanding environmental
conditions.

           The Company was organized in July 1988 as MRV Technologies, Inc., a
California corporation and reincorporated in Delaware in April 1992, at which
time it changed its name to MRV Communications, Inc.

           On May 1, 1995, the Company acquired certain assets and the
distribution business of Galcom, a network equipment company located in Israel.
The purchase price paid by the Company was approximately $900,000 in cash and
the assumption of approximately $1,800,000 in liabilities and debt. In
connection with the acquisition of assets from Galcom, the Company issued to
Galcom and certain of its employees five-year warrants to purchase an aggregate
of 300,000 shares at prices ranging from $4.25 to $7.38 per share.

           On June 29, 1995, the Company acquired certain assets and the
distribution business of Ace, a network equipment company also located in
Israel. The purchase price paid by the Company was approximately $4,477,000
comprised of $100,000 in cash, the assumption of approximately $467,000 in
liabilities and debt and the issuance of approximately 855,000 shares of Common
Stock valued at approximately $3,910,000 and extended a right to Ace to sell to
the Company up to $400,000 of Ace's inventory. In connection with the
acquisition of assets from Ace, the Company issued to a trustee and an employee
of Ace five-year warrants to purchase an aggregate of 330,000 shares of Common
Stock at prices ranging from $4.57 to $4.67 per share.

           The Galcom and Ace acquisitions provided the Company with experienced
personnel and technology for the Token Ring LAN, IBM Connectivity and
Multi-Platform Network Management, IBM NetView and HP OpenView markets.
Following the acquisitions, the Company consolidated these operations in Israel
with its networking operations in the United States.

           On September 26, 1996, the Company completed the Fibronics
Acquisition from Elbit, acquiring certain of the assets and selected liabilities
related to Fibronics' computer networking and telecommunications businesses in
Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Israel. The
assets acquired included Fibronics' technology in progress and existing
technology, its marketing channels, its GigaHub family of computer networking
products and other rights. The purchase price for the Fibronics Business was
approximately $22,800,000. The purchase price was paid using a combination of
cash and shares of Common Stock, all of which Elbit subsequently resold.

           The Fibronics Business is enabling MRV to enhance the development of
Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet functions through the Fibronics GigaHub
family of products, to offer a broader range of networking products and to
benefit from combined distribution channels and sales in both the United States
and Europe and greater product development capability.

           On January 30, 1998, MRV completed the Xyplex Acquisition by
acquiring all of the outstanding capital stock of Whittaker Xyplex, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, from Whittaker. Whittaker Xyplex, Inc., (whose name the
Company has since changed to NBase Xyplex, Inc.) is a holding corporation owning
all of the outstanding capital stock of Xyplex. Xyplex is a leading provider of
access solutions between enterprise networks and wide area network and/or ISPs.
The purchase price paid to Whittaker consisted of $35,000,000 in cash and
three-year warrants to purchase up to 500,000 shares of Common Stock of the
Company at an exercise price of $35.00 per share.

           The Xyplex Acquisition is enabling MRV to expand its product lines
with products having WAN and remote access capabilities, permitting the Company
to offer both discrete networking products and complete LAN/WAN end-to-end
solutions not only to MRV's own existing base of customers, but also to the
customer base added by Xyplex. The acquisition of Xyplex has also increased
MRV's sales force, distribution channels and customer support and service
capabilities.



                                       19
<PAGE>   22

                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

           The following selected statement of operations data for the three
years in the period ended December 31, 1997 and the balance sheet data as of
December 31, 1996 and 1997 are derived from the financial statements and notes
thereto included elsewhere herein audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent
public accountants, as set forth in their report also incorporated by reference
herein. The selected statement of operations data for the two years in the
period ended December 31, 1994 and the balance sheet data as of December 31,
1993, 1994 and 1995 were derived from audited financial statements of the
Company not included herein. The pro forma selected statement of operations and
balance sheet data for the year ended December 31, 1997 were derived from the
pro forma financial statements of the Company and Xyplex included elsewhere
herein. The selected statement of operations data for the six months ended June
30, 1997 and 1998 are derived from the Company's unaudited financial statements
included elsewhere herein, which in the opinion of management, reflect all
normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the
financial position and results of operations for each of the periods presented.
The results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 1998 are not
necessarily indicative of results to be expected for a full year. The following
data should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the Consolidated Financial
Statements of the Company, including the notes thereto, included elsewhere
herein.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                        PRO        
                                                                                                                       FORMA
                                                    1993         1994         1995          1996          1997         1997(1)  
                                                  ---------    ---------    ---------     ---------     ---------     --------- 
                                                               (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS AND RATIO DATA)
<S>                                               <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>       
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Revenues, net                                     $   7,426    $  17,526    $  39,202     $  88,815     $ 165,471     $ 241,134 
Cost of goods sold                                    3,936       10,328       22,608        51,478        94,709       131,713 
Research and development expenses                     1,103        2,144        4,044         8,201        13,093        26,558 
Selling, general and administrative expenses          1,259        2,615        6,799        14,025        27,365        61,077 
Parent company allocations                               --           --           --            --            --         3,346 
Amortization of goodwill and other intangible
  assets                                                 --           --           --            --            --        13,414 
                                                  ---------    ---------    ---------     ---------     ---------     --------- 
Operating income before unusual charges               1,128        2,439        5,751        15,111        30,304         5,026 
Unusual charges(3)                                       --           --        7,676        24,769            --        30,500 
                                                  ---------    ---------    ---------     ---------     ---------     --------- 
Operating income (loss)                           $   1,128    $   2,439    $  (1,925)    $  (9,658)    $  30,304     $ (25,474)
Other income (expense)                            $     198    $     162    $     654     $     153     $   2,744     $     832 
Interest expense related to convertible
  debentures and acquisition(3)                          --           --           --        (4,357)         (843)         (843)
                                                  ---------    ---------    ---------     ---------     ---------     --------- 
Income (loss) before provision for income 
  taxes and minority interests                        1,326        2,601       (1,271)      (13,862)       32,205       (25,485) 
Provision (credit) for income taxes                     487          983            2        (4,404)        9,474         2,096
Minority interests                                       --           --           --           196           146           146 
                                                  ---------    ---------    ---------     ---------     ---------     --------- 
Net income (loss)(3)                              $     839    $   1,618    $  (1,273)    $  (9,654)    $  22,585     $ (27,727)
                                                  =========    =========    =========     =========     =========     ========= 
Net income (loss) per share-- Basic(3)            $    0.07    $    0.13    $   (0.07)    $   (0.49)    $    0.95     $   (1.17)
                                                  =========    =========    =========     =========     =========     ========= 
Net income (loss) per share-- Diluted(3)          $    0.07    $    0.13    $   (0.07)    $   (0.49)    $    0.88     $   (1.17)
                                                  =========    =========    =========     =========     =========     ========= 
Shares used in per share calculation-- Basic         11,771       12,335       18,377        19,739        23,670        23,670 
Shares used in per share calculation-- Diluted       12,050       12,560       18,377        19,739        25,734        23,670 
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital                                   $   3,514    $  11,303    $  22,019     $  56,973     $ 111,559     $  75,882 
Total assets                                          7,328       16,667       33,307        96,943       236,236       234,188 
Total liabilities                                     1,537        3,761        8,049        43,790        45,610        69,737 
Long-term debt and obligations under capital
  leases                                                 --           --          271        18,892         2,853         8,653 
Stockholders' equity                                  5,791       12,906       25,258        41,771       189,969       163,794 
OTHER DATA:
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(3)(4)                 --           --           --            --         34.4x            -- 
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  
                                                  
                                                 SIX MONTHS ENDED  JUNE 30,
                                                 --------------------------
                                                    1997          1998(2)
                                                  ---------     ---------
                                                  
<S>                                               <C>         <C>      
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Revenues, net                                     $  75,092     $ 126,568
Cost of goods sold                                   43,061        70,754
Research and development expenses                     5,789        10,525
Selling, general and administrative expenses         12,007        23,581
Parent company allocations                               --            --
Amortization of goodwill and other intangible
  assets                                                 --            --
                                                  ---------     ---------
Operating income before unusual charges              14,235        21,708
Unusual charges(3)                                       --        53,765
                                                  ---------     ---------
Operating income (loss)                           $  14,235     $ (32,057)
Other income (expense)                            $     119     $   1,374
Interest expense related to convertible
  debentures and acquisition(3)                        (427)           --
                                                  ---------     ---------
Income (loss) before provision for income 
  taxes and minority interests                       13,927       (30,683)
Provision (credit) for income taxes                   4,305           363
Minority interests                                       70           240
                                                  ---------     ---------
Net income (loss)(3)                              $   9,552     $ (31,286)
                                                  =========     =========
Net income (loss) per share-- Basic(3)            $    0.42     $   (1.18)
                                                  =========     =========
Net income (loss) per share-- Diluted(3)          $    0.38     $   (1.18)
                                                  =========     =========
Shares used in per share calculation-- Basic         22,501        26,440
Shares used in per share calculation-- Diluted       24,892        26,440
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital                                   $  66,090     $ 203,225
Total assets                                        107,239       329,279
Total liabilities                                    28,148       160,445
Long-term debt and obligations under capital
  leases                                              1,589       102,886
Stockholders' equity                                 78,169       166,201
OTHER DATA:
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(3)(4)              28.1X            --
</TABLE>



                                       20
<PAGE>   23
- ----------------
(1)     In January 1998, The Company acquired Xyplex for $35,000,000 plus
        warrants to purchase up to 500,000 shares of MRV'S Common Stock. The
        Xyplex Acquisition was accounted for as a purchase. The pro forma
        selected statement of operations and balance sheet data for the year
        ended December 31, 1997 were derived from the pro forma financial
        statements of the Company and Xyplex included elsewhere herein. The
        unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet assumes that the Xyplex
        Acquisition took place on December 31, 1997 and consolidates MRV'S
        December 31, 1997 consolidated balance sheet with Xyplex's October 31,
        1997 balance sheet. The unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of
        income assumes that the Xyplex Acquisition took place as of January 1,
        1997 and consolidates MRV'S consolidated statement of operations for the
        year ended December 31, 1997 with Xyplex's statement of operations for
        the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997. See "Unaudited Pro Forma
        Consolidated Financial Statements" included herein.

(2)     The selected statement of operations data for the six months ended June
        30, 1997 and 1998 are derived from the Company's unaudited financial
        statements included elsewhere herein, which in the opinion of
        management, reflect all normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a
        fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations
        for each of the periods presented. The Company has included the results
        of operations of Xyplex with its consolidated results beginning on
        January 31, 1998, the day following completion of the Xyplex
        Acquisition.

(3)     The unusual charges consist of purchased technology in progress,
        restructuring charges and interest expense incurred in connection with
        acquisitions. Purchased technology in progress for the year ended
        December 31, 1995 was $6,211,000. The purchased technology was for
        research and development ("R&D") projects in progress at the time of
        acquisition of assets from Acc and Galcom. Restructuring costs during
        the year ended December 31, 1995 were $1,456,000 and were associated
        with a plan adopted by the Company in 1995 calling for the merger of the
        newly acquired subsidiaries and the Company's LAN product division. The
        plan also called for the closure of some facilities, termination of
        redundant employees and cancellation of representation agreement.
        Purchased technology in progress for the year ended December 31, 1996
        was $17,795,000 and was in conjunction with the Fibronics Acquisition.
        Restructuring costs during the year ended December 31, 1996 were
        $6,974,000 and were associated with a plan adopted by the Company on
        September 30, 1996 calling for the reduction of workforce, closing of
        certain facilities, elimination of particular product lines due to this
        acquisition and other items. Interest expenses related to the
        acquisition for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997 were
        $4,357,000 and $843,000, respectively, and were connected with the
        private placement of $30 million principal amount of Debentures, the
        proceeds from which the Company used to finance the cash portion of the
        Fibronics Acquisition. Unusual charges were not material to net income
        for the year ended December 31, 1997. Purchased technology in progress
        for the six months ended June 30, 1998 was $30,571,000 in conjunction
        with the Xyplex Acquisition. Restructuring costs during the six months
        ended June 30, 1998 were $23,194,000 and were associated with a plan
        adopted by the Company in March 1998 calling for the reduction of
        workforce, closing of certain facilities, elimination of particular
        product lines, settlement of distribution agreements and other costs
        resulting from this acquisition. Unusual charges were not material to
        net income for the six months ended June 30, 1997.

(4)     The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is computed by dividing earnings
        by fixed charges. For this purpose, "earnings" include pretax income
        from continuing operations plus fixed charges. "Fixed charges" include
        interest, whether expensed or capitalized, amortization of debt expense
        and the portion of rental expense that is representative of the interest
        factor in these rentals. The Company had no fixed charges in 1993 and
        1994. Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges in 1995, 1996,
        proforma 1997 and for the six months ended June 30, 1998 by
        $1,271,000, $14,058,000, $23,699,000 and $30,923,000, respectively.



                                       21
<PAGE>   24

                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                  FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

           The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the
Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto of the Company appearing
elsewhere in this Prospectus.

GENERAL

           Since its inception in 1988, the Company has manufactured and
marketed semiconductor optical transmission products for the fiber optics
communications industry. In 1993, the Company expanded its product line to
include products incorporating Ethernet switching technology that improved
network throughput and enhanced efficiency of LANs and introduced its first
switch marketed under the NBase trademark in the fourth quarter of 1993. During
1994, the Company expanded commercial shipments of its LAN switching products.
In 1995, the Company augmented its networking products with the acquisitions of
certain assets of Galcom and Ace, which resulted in charges of $6,211,000 and
$1,465,000 for purchased technology in progress and restructuring, respectively.
Net revenues from sales of networking products and semiconductor optical
transmission products were 60% and 40%, respectively, during the year ended
December 31, 1995, approximately 69% and 31%, respectively, during the year
ended December 31, 1996 and approximately 76% and 24%, respectively, during the
year ended December 31, 1997.

           In September 1996, the Company completed the Fibronics Acquisition,
acquiring assets related to Fibronics' computer networking and
telecommunications businesses in Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom,
the Netherlands and Israel. The assets acquired include Fibronics' technology in
progress and existing technology, its marketing channels, its GigaHub family of
computer networking products and other rights. This acquisition also resulted in
charges in the amount $17,795,000 and $6,974,000 for purchased technology in
progress and restructuring, respectively. Through the restructuring of September
30, 1996, the Company expected to improve Fibronics' operations in, among
others, the following key areas: (i) the elimination of unprofitable products
and operations that appeared detrimental to overall profit margins; (ii) the
reduction of payroll by eliminating redundant staff; (iii) the merger and
relocation of research and development resources to place qualified individuals
on the most appropriate projects; (iv) and the reduction of overhead costs by
the closure of redundant facilities. The costs incurred to complete the research
and development in process at the time of the Fibronics Acquisition have not had
a material effect on MRV's research and development expenses as a percentage of
net sales. These projects were completed as of 1997.

           In September 1996, the Company completed a private placement of an
aggregate of $30,000,000 principal amount of 5% convertible subordinated
debentures due August 6, 1999 (the "Debentures"). Proceeds from this private
placement were used to purchase the Fibronics Business. The Debentures were
convertible into Common Stock of the Company at any time at the option of the
holders at a discount from the market price of the Common Stock at the time of
conversion that decreased over the life of the Debentures until it reached a
floor. At a meeting of the Emerging Issues Task Force held on March 13, 1997,
the staff of the Commission announced its position on the accounting treatment
for the issuance of convertible preferred stock and debt securities with a
beneficial conversion feature such as that contained in the Debentures. As
announced, the Commission requires that a beneficial conversion feature attached
to instruments such as the Debentures that are convertible into equity be
recognized and measured by allocating a portion of the proceeds equal to the
intrinsic value of that feature to additional paid-in capital and charging it to
interest expense. As a result of the Commission's position, the Company added an
unusual, non-cash charge to its results of operations for the years ended
December 31, 1996 and 1997 related to the issuance of the Debentures in the
amounts of $4,357,000 and $843,000, respectively. The Company will not need to
report future charges relating to the issuance of the Debentures as the
outstanding principal and accrued interest were paid in full at April 4, 1997
through conversion into Common Stock. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources"
below.

           On January 30, 1998, MRV completed the Xyplex Acquisition from
Whittaker. Xyplex is a leading provider of access solutions between enterprise
networks and WANs and/or ISPs. The purchase price paid to Whittaker consisted of
$35,000,000 in cash and three-year warrants to purchase up to 500,000 shares of
Common Stock of the Company at an exercise price of $35 per share. During the
year ended December 31, 1995, the period from January 1, 1996 through April 9,
1996 (the day Xyplex was acquired by Whittaker), the period from April 10, 1996
through October 31, 1996 and the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997, Xyplex
reported net revenues of $107,617,000, $28,100,000, $52,021,000, and
$75,663,000, respectively, and net losses of $37,360,000, $2,269,000,
$13,353,000 and $80,309,000, respectively. In connection with the Xyplex
Acquisition, the Company incurred charges of $30,571,000 and $23,194,000 for
purchased technology and restructuring. Assuming the Xyplex Acquisition had
occurred on January 1, 1997, pro forma combined results of the Company and
Xyplex for the year ended December 31, 1997 reflect net revenues of $241,134,000
and a net loss of $27,727,000. While the Xyplex Acquisition will add 11 months
of Xyplex' revenues to those of the Company, the charges resulting from the
Xyplex Acquisition resulted in MRV incurring a net loss of $31,286,000 or $1.18
per share during the six months ended June 30, 1998 and are expected to have a
material adverse effect on the net operating results the Company expects to
report during remaining cumulative periods reported



                                       22
<PAGE>   25

for the year ending December 31, 1998. The Company's ability to operate Xyplex
profitably will depend upon its ability to integrate this business successfully,
including (i) the completion of Xyplex' research and development projects in
process, especially the EdgeBlaster program, (ii) the integration of the
products, technologies and personnel of Xyplex into the Company, (iii)
management's ability to reduce Xyplex' operating costs and (iv) the continued
market acceptance of Xyplex' products and technology.

           The Company's international sales are not concentrated in any
specific country. The estimated operating profit from international sales for
the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 were $18,113,000, $8,009,000,
$2,646,000, respectively. The amounts for the years ended December 31, 1996 and
1995 are before unusual charges. Including unusual charges, operating losses
from international sales for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 were
$2,789,000 and $16,054,000, respectively. At December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997,
16%, 14% and 17%, respectively, of the Company's assets were located in the
Middle East and at December 31, 1996 and 1997, 17% and 14%, respectively, of the
Company's assets were located in the European Community. Except for such assets,
there were no significant assets located in geographic regions outside of the
U.S. at December 31, 1995, 1996 or 1997. In years prior to 1995, substantially
all the assets were located in the U.S.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

           The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, statements
of operations data of the Company expressed as a percentage of revenues (except
for revenue growth rates).


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                   SIX MONTHS
                                                                                                                      ENDED
                                                                           Year Ended December 31                    JUNE 30
                                                                      --------------------------------          -----------------
                                                                      1995          1996          1997          1997         1998
                                                                      ----          ----          ----          ----         ----
<S>                                                                  <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>          <C>   
Revenues, net                                                        100.0%        100.0%        100.0%        100.0%       100.0%
Cost of goods sold                                                    57.7          58.0          57.2          57.3         55.9
                                                                     -----         -----         -----         -----        -----
Gross profit                                                          42.3          42.0          42.8          43.7         44.1
Operating expenses:
Research and development expenses                                     10.3           9.2           7.9           7.7          8.3
Selling, general and administrative expenses                          17.3          15.8          16.5          16.0         18.6
                                                                     -----         -----         -----         -----        -----
Operating income before unusual charges                               14.7          17.0          18.3          19.0         17.2
Purchased technology in progress                                      15.8          20.0            --            --         24.2
Restructuring costs                                                    3.7           7.9            --            --         18.3
                                                                     -----         -----         -----         -----        -----
Operating income                                                      (4.9)        (10.9)         18.3          19.0        (25.3)
Other income (expense), net                                            1.7            --           1.6           0.2          1.1
Interest expense related to convertible debentures and acquisition      --          (4.9)         (0.5)          0.6           --
                                                                     -----         -----         -----         -----        -----
Income (loss) before taxes                                            (3.2)%       (15.8)%        19.4%         12.7%       (24.7)%
                                                                     =====         =====         =====         =====        =====
Pro forma financial data (excluding unusual charges):
Operating income                                                      14.7%         17.0%         18.3%         19.0%        17.2%
Income (loss) before taxes                                            16.3          17.0          19.9          12.7         12.8
</TABLE>

SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 AND 1997

           Revenues. Revenues for the six months ended June 30, 1998 were
$126,568,000 as compared to revenues for the six months ended June 30, 1997 of
$75,092,000. The changes represented increases of $51,476,000 or 68.6% for the
six months ended June 30, 1998 over the six months ended June 30, 1997. Revenues
increased as a result of a larger sales force, greater marketing efforts and
greater market acceptance of the Company's products, both domestically and
internationally. International sales accounted for approximately 62% of revenues
for the six months ended June 30, 1998, as compared to 57% of revenues for the
six months ended June 30, 1997. International sales, as a percentage of total
revenues, increased mainly because of increased sales, marketing and support
resources in place in Europe. Sales of networking products represented
approximately 82% of total sales for the six months ended June 30, 1998 compared
to approximately 75% of total sales during the six months ended June 30, 1997.

            Gross Profit. Gross profit for the six months ended June 30, 1998
was $55,814,000, compared to a gross profit of $32,031,000 for the six months
ended June 30, 1997. The changes represented increases of $23,783,000 for the
six months ended



                                       23
<PAGE>   26

June 30, 1998, or 74.2% for the six months ended June 30, 1998 over the six
months ended June 30, 1997. Gross profit as a percentage of revenues increased
from 42.7% during the six months ended June 30, 1997, to 44.1% during the six
months ended June 30, 1998, as a result of increased sales of higher margin
products.

           Research and Development. Research and development ("R&D") expenses
were $10,525,000, and represented 8.3% of revenues, for the six months ended
June 30, 1998. R&D expenses were $5,789,000, and represented 7.7% of revenues,
for the six months ended June 30, 1997. The increase of 81.8% in R&D spending
during the six months ended June 30, 1998 over the comparable period in 1997 was
attributable to the continued development of, as well as for new projects
involving, the Company's networking and fiber optic products. The Company
intends to continue to invest in the research and development of new products.
Management believes that the ability of the Company to develop and commercialize
new products is an important competitive factor.

           Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and
administrative ("SG&A") expenses increased to $23,581,000 for the six months
ended June 30, 1998 from $12,007,000 for the six months ended June 30, 1997. As
a percentage of revenues, SG&A increased from 16.0% for the six months ended
June 30, 1997 to 18.6% for the six months ended June 30, 1998. The increases in
SG&A expense, both in dollar amounts and as a percentage of sales, were due
primarily to substantially increased marketing efforts as well as increased
personnel and overhead costs in expanded locations.

           Purchased Technology in Progress and Restructuring Costs. Purchased
technology in progress for the six months ended June 30, 1998 of $30,571,000 was
related to R&D projects of Xyplex in progress at the time of the Xyplex
Acquisition on January 30, 1998. Restructuring costs during the six months ended
June 30, 1998 were $23,194,000. The restructuring costs in the first six months
of 1998 were associated with a plan adopted by the Company in March 1998 calling
for the reduction of the workforce, closing of certain facilities, elimination
of particular product lines, settlement of distribution agreements and other
costs. The Company did not incur these charges in the six months ended June 30,
1997. The Company did, however, incur charges of $427,000 during the six months
ended June 30, 1997 as additional interest expense related to the issuance in
1996 of convertible subordinated debentures (the "Debentures"), proceeds from
which were used to finance the Company's acquisition of the Fibronics business
in 1996. The Company did not report charges relating to the issuance of the
Debentures for periods after June 30, 1997 as the outstanding principal and
accrued interest were paid in full at April 4, 1997 through conversion into
Common Stock.

           Net Income (Loss). The Company reported net loss of $31,286,000
during the six months ended June 30, 1998, compared to net income of $9,552,000
during the six months ended June 30, 1997. Net income for the six months ended
June 30, 1998 would have been $16,213,000, excluding $53,765,000 of charges,
associated with the Xyplex Acquisition, as compared to net income of $9,979,000,
excluding unusual charges of $427,000 relating to interest expenses attributable
to financing the acquisition of the Fibronics business. Excluding these unusual
items, net income increased by $6,234,000 or 63% for the six months ended June
30, 1998 over the six months ended June 30, 1997.

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1996

           Revenues. Revenues for the year ended December 31, 1997 were
$165,471,000, compared to $88,815,000 for the year ended December 31, 1996, an
increase of 86.3%. Revenues from sales of networking products and optical
transmission products were 76% and 24%, respectively, of total revenues during
the year ended December 31, 1997 as compared to 69% and 31%, respectively, of
total revenues during the year ended December 31, 1996. Revenues increased as a
result of greater marketing efforts and greater market acceptance of the
Company's products, both domestically and internationally. International sales
accounted for approximately 60% of revenues for the year ended December 31,
1997, as compared to 53% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 1996.
International sales, as a percentage of total revenues, increased mainly as a
result of increased sales, marketing and support resources in place in Europe
and increased sales to the Pacific Rim region. While the Company has achieved
significant revenue growth in previous periods, there can be no assurance that
the Company will sustain such growth.

           Gross Profit. Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 1997 was
$70,762,000 compared to $37,337,000 for the year ended December 31, 1996. The
changes represented an increase of $33,425,000 or 89.5% for the year ended
December 31, 1997. Gross profit as a percentage of revenues increased from 42.0%
during the year ended December 31, 1996 to 42.8% for the year ended December 31,
1997 as a result of increased sales of higher margin products such as the
MegaSwitch family of products as well as lower cost production techniques.

           Research and Development. For the years ended December 31, 1997 and
1996, R&D expenses were $13,093,000 and $8,201,000, respectively. In the case of
absolute dollars, the 59.7% increase in R&D spending during the year ended
December 31, 1997 over the year ended December 31, 1996 was attributable to the
continued development of the Company's networking



                                       24
<PAGE>   27

and fiber optic products including Ethernet/Fast Ethernet/Gigabit Ethernet
switches, GigaHub modules, GigaFrame switch and fiber optic components.
Additional costs were also associated with the hiring of new research and
development personnel and consultants. R&D expenses as a percentage of revenues
declined from 9.2% of revenues during year ended December 31, 1996, to 7.9% of
revenues for year ended December 31, 1997. This decrease was primarily caused
because the Company's revenues during the periods increased at a faster rate
than R&D expenses. The Company intends to continue to invest in the research and
development of new products. Management believes that the ability of the Company
to develop and commercialize new products is a key competitive factor.

           Selling, General and Administrative. For the years ended December 31,
1997 and 1996, SG&A expenses increased to $27,365,000 from $14,025,000. As a
percentage of revenues, SG&A increased from 15.8% for the year ended December
31, 1996 to 16.5% for the year ended December 31, 1997. The increases in SG&A
expense, both in dollar amounts and as a percentage of sales were due primarily
to substantially increased marketing efforts as well as the addition of
personnel and overhead costs in additional and expanded locations.

           Purchased Technology in Progress and Restructuring Costs. Purchased
technology in progress for the year ended December 31, 1996 was $17,795,000. The
purchased technology in 1996 was for R&D projects of Fibronics in progress at
the time of the Fibronics Acquisition on September 26, 1996. Restructuring costs
during the year ended December 31, 1996 were $6,974,000. The restructuring in
1996 was associated with a plan adopted by the Company on September 30, 1996, in
conjunction with the Fibronics Acquisition, calling for the reduction of
workforce, closing of certain facilities, elimination of particular product
lines and other items. Purchased technology in progress for the year ended
December 31, 1995 was $6,211,000. The Company did not incur these charges in
1997.

           Interest Expense Related to Convertible Debentures. In September
1996, the Company completed a private placement of $30,000,000 principal amount
of convertible Debentures. See "-- Liquidity and Capital Resources," below. To
give effect to the accounting treatment announced by the staff of the Securities
and Exchange Commission at the March 13, 1997 meeting of the Emerging Issues
Task Force relevant to the Company's issuance of the Debentures having
"beneficial conversion" features, the value of the fixed discount has been
reflected in the Company's consolidated financial statements for the years ended
December 31, 1996 and 1997 as additional interest expense and such fixed
discount was accredited through the first possible conversion date of the
respective issuance. The Company will not need to report future charges relating
to the issuance of the Debentures as the outstanding principal and accrued
interest were paid in full at April 4, 1997 through conversion into Common
Stock. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources" below.

           Net Income. Net income increased to $22,585,000 for the year ended
December 31, 1997 from a net loss of $9,654,000 for the year ended December 31,
1996. Net losses during the year ended December 31, 1996 were the result of
aggregate charges related to the Company's acquisition of Fibronics from Elbit,
including charges from purchased technology in progress, restructuring costs and
the interest on the Debentures. Excluding these unusual charges of $20,209,000,
net of tax effects, net income for the year ended December 31, 1996 would have
been $10,555,000. Excluding unusual charges from interest on the Debentures, net
income for the year ended December 31, 1997 would have been $23,428,000.

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AND 1995

           Revenues. Revenues for the year ended December 31, 1996 were
$88,815,000 compared to $39,202,000 for the year ended December 31, 1995, an
increase of 126%. Revenues from sales of networking products and optical
transmission products were 69% and 31%, respectively, of total revenues during
the year ended December 31, 1996 as compared to 60% and 40%, respectively, of
total revenues during the year ended December 31, 1995. The changes represented
increases of $38,140,000 or 162% and $11,473,000 or 73% in revenues from
networking products and optical transmission products, respectively, for the
year ended December 31, 1996. Total revenues increased as a result of strong
demand for LAN connectivity and fiber optic products. Revenues from networking
products increased primarily due to sales of the MegaSwitch product line and
revenues from optical transmission products increased primarily as a result of
volume shipments, beginning in the third quarter of 1996, of a new bidirectional
optical transmission and reception module for FTTC applications and sales to the
cable TV industry. International sales accounted for approximately 53% of
revenues for the year ended December 31, 1996 as compared to approximately 45%
of revenues for the year ended December 31, 1995. International sales, as a
percentage of total revenues, increased because of increased concentration of
sales and marketing efforts overseas. The Company estimates that most of the
growth in international sales resulted from the increased concentration of sales
and marketing and that the acquisition of Fibronics accounted for approximately
12% of the growth. The Fibronics Acquisition, which was not completed until
September 26, 1996, resulted in only a marginal increase in total revenues for
1996, primarily caused from sales of older Fibronics products that were not
eliminated as part of the Company's restructuring of the Fibronics business.



                                       25
<PAGE>   28

           Gross Profit. Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 1996 was
$37,337,000 as compared to $16,594,000 for the year ended December 31, 1995. The
changes represented an increase of $20,743,000 or 125% for the year ended
December 31, 1996. Gross profit as a percentage of revenues was approximately
42% for both the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996.

           Research and Development. For the years ended December 31, 1996 and
1995, R&D expenses were $8,201,000 and $4,044,000, respectively, which
represented approximately 9.2% of revenues for 1996 and 10.3% for 1995. R&D
expenses increased primarily due to additions in engineering personnel and the
commencement of new R&D projects. R&D expenses were lower as a percentage of
revenues in 1996 primarily because certain of the Company's R&D programs in
Israel were partially funded by the Chief Scientist of Israel and R&D expenses
were spread over a larger revenue base. The Company continues to devote
significant resources to its R&D efforts. During 1995 and 1996, the Company's
R&D activities were focused on expanding its family of networking switching
products and extending its fiber optic expertise into new product areas.

           Selling, General and Administrative. For the year ended December 31,
1996, SG&A expenses increased to $14,025,000 from $6,799,000 in 1995. The
increase in SG&A expenses is due primarily to increased marketing expenses,
including those associated with additions to personnel. As a percentage of
sales, SG&A expenses decreased from 17.3% to 15.8% for the years ended December
31, 1995 and December 31, 1996, respectively. The decrease as a percentage of
sales in the year ended December 31, 1996 resulted primarily due to increased
sales in 1996.

           Purchased Technology in Progress and Restructuring Costs. Purchased
technology in progress for the year ended December 31, 1996 was $17,795,000. The
purchased technology in 1996 was for R&D projects of Fibronics in progress at
the time of the Fibronics Acquisition on September 26, 1996. Restructuring costs
during the year ended December 31, 1996 were $6,974,000. The restructuring in
1996 was associated with a plan adopted by the Company on September 30, 1996, in
conjunction with the Fibronics Acquisition, calling for the reduction of
workforce, closing of certain facilities, elimination of particular product
lines and other items. Purchased technology in progress for the year ended
December 31, 1995 was $6,211,000. The purchased technology was for R&D projects
in progress at the time of acquisition of assets from Galcom and Ace.
Restructuring costs during the year ended December 31, 1995 were $1,465,000. The
restructuring in 1995 was associated with a plan adopted by the Company on June
30, 1995 calling for the merger of new subsidiaries acquired in the Ace and
Galcom acquisitions in 1995 and the Company's LAN products division. The plan
also called for the closure of some facilities, termination of redundant
employees and cancellation of representation agreements.

           Interest Expense Related to Convertible Debentures. To give effect to
the accounting treatment announced by the staff of the SEC at the March 13, 1997
meeting of the Emerging Issues Task Force relevant to the Company's issuance of
the Debentures having "beneficial conversion" features, the value of the fixed
discount has been reflected in the 1996 financial statements as additional
interest expense and such discount has been accreted through the first possible
conversion date of the respective issuance.

           Net Loss. Net loss increased from a loss of $1,273,000 during the
year ended December 31, 1995 to a loss of $9,654,000 for the year ended December
31, 1996. The increase in net loss in 1996 was due to the Fibronics Acquisition,
which included charges for purchased technology in progress and restructuring
costs. Net income for the year ended December 31, 1996 would have been
$10,555,000, excluding $20,209,000 of charges, net of tax effects, associated
with the Fibronics Acquisition. Net income for the year ended December 31, 1995
would have been $4,345,000, excluding $5,618,000 of charges, net of tax effects,
associated with the acquisitions of Galcom and Ace. Excluding, these unusual
charges, net income increased by $6,210,000 or 143% for the year ended December
31, 1996.



                                       26
<PAGE>   29

SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA

           The following table sets forth certain selected operating data for
the quarters indicated. This information has been derived from the unaudited
consolidated financial statements of the Company which in the opinion of
management contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments)
necessary for a fair presentation of such information. These operating results
are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period and results may
fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter in the future.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  1995                                         1996                          
                              ------------------------------------------    -------------------------------------------      
                               Q1         Q2           Q3           Q4          Q1         Q2          Q3           Q4       
                               --         --           --           --          --         --          --           --       
                                                                       (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                        <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>         
Revenues, net              $  6,737    $  8,310     $ 11,135    $ 13,020    $ 15,529    $ 19,586    $ 22,664     $ 31,036    
Gross profit                  2,477       3,475        4,826       5,816       6,540       8,175       9,382       13,240    
Operating income be-
  fore unusual charges          858       1,221        1,645       2,027       2,720       3,224       3,558        5,609    
Operating income (loss)         858      (6,455)       1,645       2,027       2,720       3,224     (21,211)       5,609    
Net income (loss)               705      (4,707)       1,155       1,574       1,879       2,283     (15,504)       1,688    
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                1997                                 1998
                           -------------------------------------------     ----------------------
                               Q1         Q2          Q3           Q4         Q1           Q2
                               --         --          --           --         --           --
                                                   (AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>     
Revenues, net              $ 35,564    $ 39,528    $ 41,979    $ 48,400    $ 60,826     $ 65,742
Gross profit                 15,388      16,643      18,174      20,557      26,821       28,993
Operating income be-
  fore unusual charges        6,865       7,370       8,131       7,938      10,116       11,592
Operating income (loss)       6,865       7,370       8,131       7,938     (43,649)      11,592
Net income (loss)             4,343       5,209       5,922       7,111     (40,021)       8,735
</TABLE>



           In August 1998, MRV announced that it expects operating results in
the third quarter of 1998 to be adversely affected by weaker than anticipated
demand for its networking products, especially in Europe, and delays in its
transitions to next generation, higher margin, networking products. In this
regard, the Company expects that revenue will be down 10% to 15% from second
quarter revenue of $65.7 million, gross margin percentage will be down to or
slightly below 43% from the second quarter percentage of 44.1% and operating
expenses, consisting of selling, general and administrative expenses and
research and development expenses, to be approximately 8% to 10% higher than
second quarter total operating expenses of $17.4 million. The Company currently
plans to introduce its next generation networking products before the end of
1998.

           LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

           In September 1996, the Company completed a private placement of
$30,000,000 principal amount of the Debentures. The Debentures were convertible
into Common Stock of the Company at any time at the option of the holders at a
discount from the market price of the Common Stock at the time of conversion
that increased over the life of the Debentures until it reached a floor. As of
June 30, 1997, the entire $30,000,000 principal amount of Debentures and accrued
interest had been converted into 1,816,159 shares of Common Stock.

           In September 1996, the Company completed the Fibronics Acquisition
from Elbit. The purchase price for the Fibronics Business was approximately
$22,800,000, which was paid with Common Stock and cash. The cash was provided
from a portion of the proceeds of the private placement of Debentures. Elbit
subsequently resold the shares of Common Stock it received from the Company.



                                       27
<PAGE>   30

           In November 1996, the Company completed a private placement of
200,000 shares of Common Stock to Intel Corporation ("Intel") for $4,000,000
($20.00 per share). As part of the private placement, the Company issued to
Intel three-year warrants to purchase up to an additional 500,000 shares of
Common Stock at $20.00 per share. Of such warrants, warrants to purchase 100,000
shares of Common Stock have not and will not become exercisable and warrants to
purchase 400,000 shares of Common Stock are exercisable.

           In September 1997, the Company completed a follow-on public offering
of 2,785,000 shares of Common Stock raising net proceeds of $93,320,000 (the
"1997 Public Offering"). In June 1998, the Company sold an aggregate
$100,000,000 principal amount of Notes in a private placement raising net
proceeds of $96,423,000 (the "1998 Private Placement"). The Notes are
convertible into Common Stock of the Company at a conversion price of $27.0475
per share (equivalent to a conversion rate of approximately 36.97 shares per
$1,000 principal amount of notes), representing an initial conversion premium of
24%, for a total of approximately 3.7 million shares of Common Stock of
the Company. The Notes have a five-year term and are not callable for the first
three years. Interest on the Notes, at 5% per annum, is payable
semi-annually on June 15 and December 15, commencing on December 15, 1998.

           Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled
approximately $138,622,000 at June 30, 1998. Such cash and cash equivalents and
short-term investments, as well as cash flow from operations, are the Company's
principal sources of liquidity.

           Net cash used in operating activities for the six months ended June
30, 1998 was $13,553,000. The funds were used primarily to purchase technology
in progress and for restructuring costs in connection with the Xyplex
Acquisition. Net cash provided by investing activities for the six months ended
June 30, 1998 was $14,120,000. Cash provided by the sale of investments to
finance the Xyplex acquisition accounted for most of the cash provided by
investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 1998 and cash used in the
Xyplex acquisition accounted for most of the cash used in investing activities
for the same period. The sale of the Notes in the 1998 Private Placement
accounted for substantially all of the $96,904,000 of cash provided by financing
activities during the six months ended June 30, 1998.

           Net cash used in operating activities for the years ended December
31, 1997 was $2,761,000. The funds were used primarily for increased inventories
and receivables as a result of increased revenues. Net cash provided by
financing activities for year December 31, 1997 and 1996 were $95,153,000 and
$38,882,000, respectively. The cash provided by financing activities in 1997
came principally from the proceeds from the 1997 Public Offering, which were
partially offset by the repurchase of Common Stock from Elbit. Net cash used in
investing activities for the year ended December 31, 1997 was $87,454,000. The
cash used in investing activities was primarily used to purchase investments in
U.S. Government securities.

           Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31,
1996 was $148,000. The funds were used primarily for increased inventories and
receivables as a result of increased revenues. Net cash used in investing
activities for the year ended December 31, 1996 was $26,047,000, which primarily
related to the net purchases of investments and net cash used in acquisitions.
Cash provided by financing activities in 1996 was primarily from the private
placement of $30,000,000 principal amount of Debentures relating to the
Fibronics Acquisition and proceeds from the issuance of Common Stock. The
majority of cash used for investing activities during 1996 was for the purchase
of the Fibronics Business and net purchases of investments.

           Accounts receivable were $60,636,000 at June 30, 1998 as compared to
$47,258,000 at December 31, 1997. The increase in accounts receivable was
primarily attributable to the increase in overall sales in Europe where terms of
sale are traditionally longer than in the United States.

           Inventories were $45,389,000 at June 30, 1998 as compared to
$41,689,000 at December 31, 1997. The increase in inventories was primarily
attributable to the Company's decision to add larger inventories to shorten lead
times for customers and the Xyplex Acquisition. Management believes that MRV's
inventory levels at various points in time may not necessarily be comparable to
those of many other companies in its industry. This is because MRV conducts
significant in-house manufacturing of various components used in its products
and thus carries substantial raw materials and work-in-progress in addition to
finished products in its inventories. In contrast, many competitors outsource to
turnkey contract manufacturers substantial portions of their production
requirements and thus do not include material amounts of raw materials or work
in progress in inventories and may in some circumstances not even include
finished products in inventory if the contract manufacturer ships directly to
the competitors' customers.

           Royalties are payable by Galcom, Ace and Fibronics to the Office of
the Chief Scientist of Israel ("OCS") at rates of approximately 2% to 3% on
proceeds from the sale of products arising from the Company's research and
development activities



                                       28
<PAGE>   31

for which OCS has provided grants. The total amount of royalties may not exceed
the amount of the grants. The Company does not expect that revenues from royalty
bearing products will result in material royalty payments to OCS in the future.

           On December 27, 1996, Datapoint brought an action against NBase, a
subsidiary of the Company, and several other defendants in the United States
District Court for the Eastern District of New York alleging infringement of two
of Datapoint's patents related to LANs, more particularly to claimed improved
LANs which interoperatively combine additional enhanced capability and/or which
provide multiple different operational capabilities. In the same lawsuit,
Datapoint alleges that other defendants including Dayna Communications, Inc.,
Sun Microsystems, Inc., Adaptec, Inc., International Business Machines
Corporation, Lantronix and SVEC America Computer Corporation have infringed the
same two patents. The Company has been advised that several other companies,
including Intel Corporation and Cisco Systems, Inc. have also had actions
brought against them by Datapoint with respect to the same two patents. The
action against NBase and its co-defendants seeks, among other things, an
injunction against the manufacture or sale of products which embody the
inventions set forth in the two patents and single and treble damages for the
alleged infringement. Datapoint's complaint also seeks to have the court
determine that the named defendants shall serve as representatives of a
defendant class of manufacturers, vendors and users of products allegedly
infringing on Datapoint's claimed patents from which defendant class Datapoint
seeks the same relief as from the individual defendants. The Company is
cooperating with several of the defendants in pursuit of common defenses and
believes it has meritorious defenses to this action. If a conclusion unfavorable
to the Company is reached, however, Datapoint's claim could materially affect
the business, operating results and financial condition of the Company.

EFFECTS OF INFLATION AND CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES

           The Company believes that the relatively moderate rate of inflation
in the United States over the past few years has not had a significant impact on
the Company's sales or operating results or on the prices of raw materials.
However, in view of the Company's recent expansion of operations in Israel which
has experienced substantial inflation, there can be no assurance that inflation
in Israel will not have a materially adverse effect on the Company's operating
results in the future.

           The Company's sales are currently denominated in U.S. dollars and to
date its business has not been significantly affected by currency fluctuations
or inflation. However, the Company conducts business in several different
countries and thus fluctuations in currency exchange rates could cause the
Company's products to become relatively more expensive in particular countries,
leading to a reduction in sales in that country. In addition, inflation in such
countries could increase the Company's expenses. To date, the Company has not
hedged against currency exchange risks. In the future, the Company may engage in
foreign currency denominated sales or pay material amounts of expenses in
foreign currencies and, in such event, may experience gains and losses due to
currency fluctuations. The Company's operating results could be adversely
affected by such fluctuations or as a result of inflation in particular
countries where material expenses are incurred.

POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS

           The Company does not provide post-retirement benefits affected by
SFAS 106.

YEAR 2000

           Many existing computer programs, including some programs used by the
Company, use only two digits to identify a year in the date field. These
programs were designed without considering the impact of the upcoming change in
the century. If not corrected, these computer applications and systems could
fail or create erroneous results by, at, or after the year 2000. Based on the
Company's investigation to date, management does not anticipate that the Company
will incur material operating expenses or be required to incur material costs to
be year 2000 compliant. To the extent the Company's systems are not fully year
2000 compliant, there can be no assurance that potential systems interruptions
or the cost necessary to update software would not have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results or operations and
business prospects.



                                       29
<PAGE>   32

                                    BUSINESS

OVERVIEW

           MRV is a leading manufacturer and marketer of optical high speed
networks that integrate switching, routing, remote access and fiber optic
transmission systems. The Company designs, manufactures and sells two groups of
products: (i) computer networking products, primarily Ethernet LAN routing
switches, WAN and remote access devices and (ii) fiber optic components for the
transmission of voice, video and data across enterprise, telecommunications and
cable TV networks. The Company's advanced networking solutions greatly enhance
the functionality of LANs and WANs by reducing network congestion while allowing
end users to preserve their legacy investments in pre-existing networks and
providing cost-effective migration paths to next generation technologies such as
Gigabit Ethernet. The Company's fiber optic components incorporate proprietary
technology which delivers high performance under demanding environmental
conditions.

           The Company offers a family of network, switching and related
products that enhance LAN performance and facilitate the migration to next
generation technologies such as Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet and Asynchronous
Transfer Mode ("ATM"). MRV's MegaSwitch and GigaFrame families of switching
products range from complete switching systems to stackable switches which
upgrade performance of existing LANs by relieving network congestion without
requiring replacement of existing technologies. In addition, the Company plans
to offer EdgeBlaster, a new remote access router that will connect enterprise
LANs to remote offices and telecommuters securely through the Internet using
virtual private network ("VPN") technology.

           The Company complements its switching products with a family of
optical transmission components and modules designed for transmission over fiber
optic cable. These products enable the transmission of voice, data, and video
across fiber and are also used in optical fiber test equipment. The Company's
products include discrete components, such as laser diodes and LEDs, and
integrated components such as transmitters, receivers and transceivers. The
Company's components are used in data networks, telecommunication transmission
and access networks.

           To position the Company for growth, management's strategy has been to
focus on rapidly developing markets in the communications arena, such as LAN
switching and access networks, and to concentrate on improving performance of
networks employing Ethernet protocols, thereby addressing the largest installed
base of network users. Management's strategy has also been to emphasize
development of innovative products that the Company may bring to market early
and to capitalize on MRV's manufacturing expertise and ability to use
proprietary fiber optic transmission and advanced switching technologies to
create high-speed, cost-effective networking solutions.

INDUSTRY BACKGROUND

           The global communications industry has undergone significant
transformation and growth as a result of increased demand for communications
services and applications, as well as advances in technology and changes in
network architectures and public policy. The client server network architecture
with its shared information and resources, the increased power of conventional
applications as well as the proliferation of graphic intensive applications such
as multimedia, the Internet and intranets, have resulted in a strong demand for
additional bandwidth. This trend is expected to continue as additional bandwidth
intensive applications, such as video conferencing, are increasingly used.
Further, as a result of changes in communications regulations and the adoption
of common standards, enterprise networks, such as LANs and WANs, and access
networks, such as telecommunications and cable TV, are expected to converge. The
demand for high bandwidth applications, as well as the convergence of data
communications and telecommunications, has significantly increased the
requirement for networking and fiber optic equipment that increases the capacity
of networks through high speed and more efficient transmission technologies.

           High-speed switching systems enhance the bandwidth of LANs so that a
greater number of users can utilize more complex applications without
experiencing network congestion. Fiber optic transmission components also
enhance the functionality of enterprise and access networks by enabling
high-speed transmission of voice, video and data across fiber optic cable.
Market research firms forecast strong growth in both of these sectors. In the
fall of 1997, industry sources estimated that the market for LAN switches would
grow from $3.7 billion in 1996 to $10.9 billion in 1999, a compounded annual
growth rate of 43.3%. Other industry sources projected in a March 1998
report that the market for WDM equipment would grow from $1.0 billion in 1997 to
$4.0 billion in 2000, a compounded annual growth rate of 58.7%. In August 1997,
industry sources estimated that the fiber optics industry was $8.6 billion in
1997 and would grow to $13.2 billion in 2001, a compounded annual growth rate of
11.3 percent. The Company believes that the growth of fiber optic components
will outpace that of the overall fiber optics market.



                                       30
<PAGE>   33

           Growth in the use and availability of wide area networks is being
stimulated by many factors including the need to share information between
centralized repositories and remote enterprise locations, to access and use the
Internet for communications and marketing and to electronically access external
resources used by the enterprise. Growth is also being fueled by the increasing
availability of more cost-effective WAN services such as Frame Relay and
Integrated Service Digital Network ("ISDN") making it more affordable for many
organizations to set up a WAN or expand an existing one. The growth in the use
and availability of wide area networks coupled with increasing use, power, speed
and complexity of local area networks has resulted in the increasing need for
equipment that permits high speed connections between LANs, WANs and ISPs.

NETWORKING ENVIRONMENT

           The most common LAN architecture, "shared-media" networking, cannot
effectively accommodate the market's requirements for high-speed networking.
Shared-media networks require computers to alternate communication over a single
LAN, thereby allowing a computer to send information only when other computers
are not doing so. As more computers are added to a single LAN, demand for access
to the network increases and, as a result, individual users experience slower
network response times and data transfer rates. Most of these networks operate
with the Ethernet protocol, which is significantly less expensive than the
closest competing technology, Token Ring.

           There are two fundamentally different but complementary approaches to
alleviating network congestion. The first approach, referred to as
"segmentation," reduces the number of desktops connected to a single LAN
segment, which increases the available bandwidth per user. The segmentation of
users into smaller LANs alleviates network congestion by allowing fewer users to
share a given amount of capacity. The second approach is to increase the
capacity of networks through new high-speed transmission technologies and high
bandwidth fiber optic applications. LAN switching technology is an innovation
that enables both of these solutions. A switch is a device that partitions a
network into multiple segments which enables several simultaneous
"conversations," thereby reducing the traffic on each segment while allowing
access to the entire network. A switch also allows connection with different
speeds, thereby facilitating faster backbones and migration to faster
technologies.

           Enhanced LAN Performance through Segmentation and Switching. LAN
switching systems have emerged as the preferred method for segmenting networks
because these systems are implemented more easily, efficiently and
cost-effectively than hub architectures which once dominated the networking
equipment industry. In contrast to hubs, which indiscriminately forward data to
all ports, Ethernet switches only forward network traffic to the designated
receiving port or ports. Ethernet switches can also support different data rates
on different ports with some ports operating at 10 Mbps and others at
substantially higher speeds, thus enabling Any Speed to Any Speed Ethernet
transmission. A major driver to the growth in Ethernet switching is the large
installed base. Ethernet is the dominant LAN architecture. As a result, Ethernet
switching offers fast and cost-effective upgrades without impacting network
performance or requiring infrastructure changes to existing cabling and network
adapters. Switching also allows LANs based on different architectures, such as
Ethernet and Token Ring, to be connected efficiently and allows these systems to
access servers and backbones which use a variety of high-speed technologies,
such as Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Fiber Distributed Data Interface
("FDDI") and ATM.

           Another important benefit of switches is their ability to combine
groups of computers into virtual LANs ("VLANs"). As a result, workgroups can be
set up according to business relationships rather than physical proximity.
Unlike hub and router systems, which require segment users to be physically
grouped together, VLANs simplify network administration as users relocate. VLANs
can also be used for controlling bandwidth and directing excess capacity to
workgroups and users as needed. Moreover, by confining traffic to desired
workgroups, VLANs improve network security.

           Enhanced LAN Performance Through High-speed Transmission Technologies
and Switching. While Ethernet switching is being used to increase the efficiency
of existing capacity, switching technology also incorporates high-speed
transmission technologies that increases a system's capacity. High-speed
technologies such as Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, FDDI and ATM increase
transmission speeds from 10 Mbps to 100 Mbps and from 100 Mbps to 1,000 Mbps (1
Gbps). Higher transmission speeds have helped to increase the demand for LAN
switches in two important ways. First, LAN switches create uplinks between slow
desktop connections and high-speed fiber backbones, which are necessary if data
transfer is to occur between devices that operate at different speeds. Second,
as high-speed file servers or fiber backbones are upgraded, the system's
switches must be upgraded as well.

           Two alternative high-speed networking technologies, FDDI and ATM, are
used in networking backbones, but because of their high cost for end-users they
are rarely used to connect desktop computers within a LAN. Both FDDI and ATM
transmit data in unique formats which also make them difficult to incorporate
into pre-existing Ethernet LANs.



                                       31
<PAGE>   34

           Fast Ethernet has emerged as a cost-effective, interoperable
technology that enables the integration of ATM and FDDI backbones with Ethernet
switches and provides a non-disruptive, tenfold increase in speed from 10 Mbps
to 100 Mbps. Furthermore, unlike FDDI and ATM, Fast Ethernet is based on fully
defined standards which use the same data format and core communication protocol
as Ethernet. This similarity permits easy integration with existing Ethernet
networks and allows organizations to retain the benefit of network
administrators who have been trained in the management of Ethernet networks.
Thus, migration from Ethernet to Fast Ethernet involves a simple change of
adapter cards and an upgrade of hubs and switches. As a result of these factors,
in January 1998 an industry analyst reported market estimates that Fast Ethernet
revenues will increase from $513 million in 1996 to $1.8 billion in 1997 and
that the market was expected to exceed $3.5 billion during 1998.

           Similar benefits are being offered by the next generation of Ethernet
technology, Gigabit Ethernet, which provides raw data bandwidth of 1,000 Mbps
while maintaining full compatibility with the installed base of Ethernet nodes.
Management believes that demand for Gigabit Ethernet is likely to grow as more
LANs move to Fast Ethernet, generating substantial traffic loads on backbone
networks. In January 1998, an industry analyst reported predictions that the
Gigabit Ethernet market will reach $1.2 billion by 2001.

FIBER OPTIC ENVIRONMENT

           Fiber optic transmission can generally carry more information at less
expense and with greater signal quality than copper wire. The higher the speed
of transmission, the greater the capacity and the larger the span of the
network, the more essential is fiber optic transmission. Fiber has long replaced
copper as the preferred technology for long distance communications and major
backbone telephony and data transmissions. Due to its advantages, fiber optic
technology is also increasingly used to enhance performance and capacity within
enterprise networks and access networks. As a result, the market for fiber optic
products continues to grow both domestically and internationally.

           Demand for fiber optic transmission components is driven by four
factors: (i) fiber applications have expanded beyond traditional telephony
applications and are being deployed in enterprise network backbones to support
high-speed data communications; (ii) within access networks, fiber is rapidly
expanding downstream toward end-users as access networks deploy
Fiber-in-the-Loop and FTTC architectures to support services such as fast
Internet access and interactive video; (iii) the growth of cellular
communications and PCS requires fiber to be deployed both within and between
cells; and (iv) the usage of fiber in short distances increases the demand for
components as more are used per mile of fiber. As the size, number and
complexity of these fiber networks increases, management expects that the demand
for fiber optic components will grow significantly.

           Fiber Optic Transmission in Data Communications. As higher speed
connections are implemented in LAN/WAN systems, fiber optic transmission becomes
an essential element in computer networks. For transmission speeds of 100 Mbps
and higher, and transmission distances of 100 meters and longer, fiber optic
transmission must be deployed. Virtually all high-speed transmission standards,
such as FDDI, ATM, Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet, specify fiber optic media
as the most practical technology for transmission. The steady rise in high-speed
connections and the growth in the span of networks, including the need to
connect remote workgroups, are driving the deployment of fiber optic cable
throughout enterprise networks.

           Fiber Optic Transmission in Access Networks. To meet end users'
increased demand for content, software and services, network operators must
acquire additional bandwidth by either enhancing their existing networks or
constructing new ones. Cable TV operators are increasingly seeking to provide
general telecommunication services, high-speed Internet access and video-on-
demand. As a result, they are now faced with the need to transmit "upstream,"
from customer premises to the cable TV operator and to send different signals to
individual end-users. Similarly, local exchange carriers ("LECs") are
implementing new technological standards, such as Synchronous Optical Network
("SONET") and fiber-intensive architectures such as FTTC to enable high-speed
Internet access and the delivery of cable TV and Internet services to the home.
Management believes that deployment of and upgrades to these systems will
increase the demand for the Company's fiber optic components which typically are
better able to endure environmental factors, such as rain, snow, heat and wind,
cost-effectively. In addition, cellular and PCS communications represent a fast
emerging market for fiber optic networks, including their usage in the backbone
and landline portion of wireless networks.

STRATEGY

           MRV's objective is to be the leading supplier of high-speed network
equipment and fiber optic transmission components. The key elements of the
Company's strategy to achieve these objectives include:

            Target Rapidly Growing Communication Markets. The Company leverages
its transmission expertise by targeting the high growth markets in the
communications arena. Accordingly, MRV has focused on two of the fastest growing
communication



                                       32
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markets: (i) the worldwide LAN switching market, which according to industry
analysts was estimated to grow from $3.7 billion in 1996 to $10.9 billion in
1999 and (ii) access networks in order to capitalize on the increasing demand
for bandwidth and the efforts of both cable and telephone companies in this
area. MRV continually monitors and develops products for additional growth
markets, such as wireless communications infrastructure.

           Bring State of the Art Standards-Based Technology Early to Market.
The Company believes that bringing standards-based state of the art technology
early to market has been a critical component of its success. MRV plans to
continue to invest significant resources in research and development to maintain
its leadership position. As an example of how it has leveraged its technology
leadership, MRV was one of the first companies to introduce Fast Ethernet and
Gigabit Ethernet switches. MRV also was one of the first companies to offer
switches with the smart/selective flow control feature and full duplex
transmission, designed to eliminate Ethernet packet losses in highly congested
networks and enable Gigabit Ethernet transmission distance of over 100
kilometers over fiber optic cable.

           In June 1996, the Company introduced MegaSwitch II, which management
believes was the first dual speed auto-select 10/100 Mbps Ethernet switch with
uplinks to enterprise networks based on high-speed transmission technologies
such as ATM and Gigabit Ethernet. The Company has started shipping a series of
DirectIP switching products, which provide enterprise LANs with the agility and
speed of high-performance systems, with intranet routing functionality and
control. In addition, in the first quarter of 1996, the Company started volume
shipments of a new bidirectional optical transmission and reception module for
FTTC applications such as Bell South's FTTC project, one of the largest FTTC
projects in the United States. The Company believes that participation in such
leading-edge projects helps maintain MRV's technology leadership position within
the industry.

           Focus on the Large and Fast Growing Switching Market. MRV has
targeted and developed expertise in Ethernet, the most commonly used technology
within the LAN market. In January 1998, industry analysts estimated that over
80% of installed LANs are Ethernet-based and that Ethernet switching represents
about 95% of LAN switching sales. Moreover, the Company believes that Ethernet
will continue to dominate the LAN arena due to its rapidly improving performance
and its large installed base of users. The Company has developed high-speed
network solutions which improve Ethernet network performance without rendering
the end user's existing network equipment obsolete. As a result of this
strategy, the Company is offering a complete migration path to Any Speed to Any
Speed Ethernet technologies, including 10 Mbps (Ethernet), 100 Mbps (Fast
Ethernet) and 1,000 Mbps (Gigabit Ethernet). The Company has developed an
expertise in ATM as it anticipates that such technology will be increasingly
used in backbones. In addition, the Company is developing multi-Gigabit
switching platforms.

           Leverage Proprietary Knowledge of Switching and Fiber Optic
Transmission Technologies. As the need for capacity and speed increases,
management believes that fiber will increasingly be used in all transmission
modes and technologies. Thus, MRV's ability to combine proprietary fiber optic
transmission and switching technologies to create high-speed, long distance
networking solutions is a key competitive advantage. Management further believes
that as the convergence of voice, video and data networking continues, closer
integration of the Company's core technologies, namely, fiber optic
transmission, high-speed LAN switching and ATM, will result. Convergence is also
expected to enable the Company to cross market both of its core technologies to
existing customers of only one of its product lines.

           Leverage Manufacturing Expertise. The Company has developed
proprietary ASICs to implement high level component integration in its
networking product development process. Using ASICs allows MRV to reduce
manufacturing costs, enhance product reliability and protect its intellectual
property. The Company outsources the assembly, test and quality control of its
computer networking products to third party contract manufacturers. This affords
it scaleability and allows it to react quickly to market demand, while avoiding
the significant capital investment required to establish and maintain
manufacturing and assembly facilities and allowing it to concentrate its
resources on product design and development.

           The Company relies exclusively on its own production capability for
critical semiconductor lasers and LEDs used in its optical transmission
products. These semiconductor devices are manufactured under stringent and
accurate procedures using state of the art wafer fabrication technology. The
Company believes that this provides it with competitive advantages, including
quicker time to market, better quality control, significant cost benefits and
better protection of its intellectual property and trade secrets.

           Facilitate Growth by Expanding Distribution Channels. The Company
continually seeks to facilitate its growth by expanding its distribution
channels and capability to capitalize on its technological expertise and
production capacity. LAN switching products are sold through VARs, systems
integrators, distributors, manufacturers' representatives and OEM customers. The
Company continues to add distribution channels and has entered into OEM
agreements with Fujitsu and Newbridge Networks. In addition, the acquisitions of
the Fibronics Business and Xyplex have greatly expanded MRV's distribution
channels in Europe and North America and significantly increased its direct
sales force.


                                       33
<PAGE>   36

           Selectively Target Acquisitions of Complementary Businesses, Products
or Technology. Management frequently evaluates acquisition prospects that would
complement the Company's existing products, augment its market coverage and
distribution capability or enhance its technological capabilities. The 1995
acquisitions of Galcom and Ace, both Israel-based switching providers, enhanced
MRV's European market presence and distribution capabilities. To continue its
European expansion efforts, in May 1996, MRV acquired a controlling interest in
EDS LAN, a computer networking distributor in Italy and in September 1996, the
Company completed the Fibronics Acquisition, which greatly increased the
Company's presence in Europe. The Fibronics Acquisition also gave the Company
new products and technology, including the GigaHub, which, in addition to being
a significant product line, also allows it to target the enterprise market. In
January 1998, the Company completed the Xyplex Acquisition which strengthened
its North American sales capabilities, direct sales force and distribution
channels and expanded into new and complementary products lines for its
networking switching business. With Xyplex the Company acquired EdgeBlaster, a
new access solution between LANs, WANs and ISPs. The Xyplex Acquisition also
enabled the Company to improve substantially its customer service and support
organization. Management plans to evaluate selective acquisition opportunities
as they arise, and the Company may make additional acquisitions of businesses,
products or technologies in the future.

PRODUCTS AND TECHNOLOGY

           MRV offers advanced solutions for network connectivity requirements
by providing high speed LAN switching and fiber optic transmission products
which serve the computer networking and the broadband sections of the
communications industry. The Company designs and sells two groups of products:
(i) high-speed networking equipment, including LAN switches and (ii) fiber optic
transmission solutions for SONET, ATM, FDDI, Fast Ethernet, cable TV and
wireless infrastructure.

ENTERPRISE NETWORKING SOLUTIONS

           The Company designs network switching systems that increase the
productivity and functionality of LANs. MRV offers its customers a family of
network, switching and related products that enhance LAN performance and
facilitate the migration to next generation technologies such as Fast Ethernet,
Gigabit Ethernet and ATM.

           The GigaFrame Product Family. In 1997, the Company announced a
GigaFrame product strategy, the architecture for which consists of a Gigabit
Ethernet Switch, a GigaHub enterprise switch, MegaSwitch and two new low cost 10
Mbps to 100 Mbps stackable switches, all of which are now available. The Company
shipped its first GigaFrame switch, the 12 port GFS 3012, in the fourth quarter
of 1997. This switch, which also provides Gigabit Ethernet transmission over
fiber optic cable to a distance of 100 kilometers, won a best switching product
award at ComNet '98 and the Editor's choice award by Communications News
magazine.

           The GigaFrame family of products is a group of routing switches
providing a wide range of choices that fit current enterprise networking
requirements. With layer 3 routing, long distance fiber optic connections,
differentiated quality and class of services and the ability to handle video and
voice traffic the GigaFrame line is well positioned for the convergence of
voice, video and data on today's networks. MRV's GigaFrame products are designed
for corporate, campus and metropolitan deployment.

           The MegaSwitch Product Family. The Company's MegaSwitch products are
a family of Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet switches which are marketed under
MRV's NBase trade name. The MegaSwitch products range from complete switching
systems to stackable switches which upgrade performance of existing LANs by
relieving congestion of overloaded network segments, enable full duplex and flow
control and provide an easy, cost-effective migration to higher transmission
speeds without requiring replacement of existing infrastructure. The Company's
MegaSwitch products are a family of workgroup switches designed for deployment
as a cost-effective method of connecting existing networks with higher-speed
backbones and are based on Any Speed to Any Speed Ethernet switching, including
Gigabit Ethernet with access to ATM, FDDI and ISDN. Fast Ethernet, Gigabit and
ATM uplink modules incorporate InterSwitch VLAN capabilities. InterSwitch VLANs
enable the network administrator to define separate VLANs spanning multiple
switches in order to achieve optimal network performance and serve multiple
workgroups.



                                       34
<PAGE>   37

           WAN Connectivity Solutions. The Company provides access solutions
between LANs and WANs and ISPs. Principal network access and Internetworking
products are summarized in the table below.


PRODUCT NAME                          APPLICATION AND FUNCTIONALITY
- ------------                          -----------------------------

Network 9000            This hub enables the integration of routing, switching,
                        access serving and media concentration technologies.
                        Primarily used at the central site of corporate networks
                        and at the edge of ISP networks, the Network 9000
                        supports any combination of Ethernet, Token Ring, FDDI,
                        ISDN, ATM, local and remote bridge/router connectivity.

Network 3000            This family of branch office routers provides a modular,
                        scalable solution geared toward accessing the corporate
                        network and the Internet from remote offices. Any
                        combination of Ethernet, ISDN, Frame Relay and
                        asynchronous connections is available. RouteRunner is a
                        low-cost ISDN router designed to meet the WAN needs of
                        small offices, home offices and branch offices such as
                        doctors' offices or sales offices.

MAXserver               This family of low-cost, scalable remote access server
                        solutions enables terminals, PCs, modems, printers and
                        other asynchronous devices to connect to the LAN and/or
                        WAN. Ideal for supporting workgroups, the stackable
                        MAXserver offers 8-40 ports (and up to 280 ports in the
                        modular Network 9000 solution) to provide network access
                        locally and remotely via dial-up services. A variety of
                        protocols are supported including TCP/IP, IPX, and
                        Appletalk. Security capabilities such as Kerberos,
                        RADIUS, SecurID, password and dial-back are also
                        offered.

            Hubs and Network Management. To implement network segments, the
Company offers GigaHub, a multi-platform switchable hub, and MegaStack, a
stackable hub. In addition, MRV has developed and offers MegaVision, which
enables management and control of its switching products and hub products.


PRODUCT NAME                              APPLICATION AND FUNCTIONALITY
- ------------                              -----------------------------

GigaHub                 This enterprise network solution for medium to large
                        corporate networks requiring both shared and switched
                        connectivity in a mixed protocol environment, provides a
                        12 Gbps modular enterprise switching hub, supporting
                        Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, FDDI, ATM and
                        Token Ring, and allowing integration of LAN distribution
                        and switching in a single hub.

MegaStack               This high-speed auto-sensing stackable hub system
                        implements Ethernet/Fast Ethernet LAN segments, provides
                        performance for mission-critical and bandwidth-intensive
                        applications, connects from 24 to 196 users, is
                        stackable with fiber optic connectivity to remote
                        locations and offers plug-and-play convenience and
                        built-in auto-partitioning for instant isolation of
                        network failures.

MegaVision              This full-featured network management system provides
                        affordable and comprehensive management and control of
                        all MegaSwitch and MegaStack products and automatically
                        detects and monitors any SNMP compliant devices. It
                        operates on all major NMS platforms including Windows
                        3.1, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT Client, Novell
                        NMS, HP/Open View for Windows or UNIX.

            Related Networking Products. The Company also offers a number of
other products supporting network connectivity. Examples of such products are
summarized in the table below.


PRODUCT                                  DESCRIPTION AND FUNCTIONALITY
- -------                                  -----------------------------
   
Fiber Optic             These products consist of Ethernet and Fast Ethernet    
Transceivers and        fiber optic transceivers that enable campus or          
converters              metropolitan deployment of Ethernet or Fast Ethernet    
                        networks through fiber optic interconnection of LANs to 
                        a distance of Converters over 100 km, and multimode to  
                        single mode fiber for FDDI, ATM and SONET that extend   
                        the range of FDDI, ATM and SONET via fiber.             

Token Ring              These products consist of multimedia Token Ring hubs
                        with fiber, coax, UTP and STP connectivity which extends
                        the distance between segments of Token Ring networks,
                        and fiber optic transceivers with multimode and single
                        mode fiber, which allow flexible implementation of IBM
                        mid-range and mainframe terminal connectivity. 

Mid-range               These products consist of Twinax Star panels,           
Connectivity            multiplexers and repeaters which allow flexible        
                        implementation of IBM mid-range and mainframe terminal 
                        connectivity.                                          

            DirectIP Switching. The Company has developed, and recently
introduced as part of its MegaSwitch product line a series of DirectIP switching
products which provides the control and security of traditional routing with the
performance of switching. The Company has also incorporated its DirectIP
switching technology into its GigaFrame switch.

            EdgeBlaster. In April 1998, the Company announced the Xyplex
EdgeBlaster, a network edge server that allows remote users to dial into
corporate networks over secure Internet links, rather than more expensive
telephone lines. The EdgeBlaster uses VPN technology to provide secure access to
corporate networks through the Internet by utilizing hardware-based technology
integrated with a feature-rich WAN router. Generally, VPN devices from other
vendors either provide software encryption or

                                       35
<PAGE>   38



limited routing functionality. VPN technology offers encryption, authentication
and integrity, using industry-standard protocols. The EdgeBlaster features
high-performance, industry-standard encryption, combined with a full WAN router
and the ability to transport voice traffic over Internet Protocol ("IP"). It can
support up to 2,000 simultaneous connections. The Company began shipping its
first product utilizing the EdgeBlaster technology during the third quarter of
1998.

OPTICAL TRANSMISSION PRODUCTS

           The Company offers a family of optical transmission components and
modules designed for transmission over fiber optic cable. These products address
transmission of voice, data and video across fiber and are also used in optical
fiber test equipment. The Company's products include discrete components, such
as laser diodes and LEDs and integrated components such as transmitters,
receivers and transceivers. The Company's components are used in data networks,
telecommunication transmission and access networks. Management believes that the
Company is benefitting from three major demand trends in this area: first, the
growth of the market, especially computer networking and the access networks, by
both LECs and cable TV providers; second, the convergence of datacom and
telecom; and third, as transmission speed and capacity grow, a larger portion of
all network traffic is transmitted via fiber optic versus copper wires.

           Discrete Components. Discrete components include laser diodes and
LEDs. Every fiber optic communication system utilizes semiconductor laser diodes
or LEDs as its source of optical power. Laser diodes and LEDs are solid state
semiconductor devices that efficiently convert electronic signals into pulses of
light of high purity and brightness. The Company believes that its lasers and
LEDs, which can carry data over distances in excess of 20 kilometers are among
the most powerful in their wavelength range in terms of optical power coupled
into single mode fiber.

           Integrated Components. The Company's integrated components include an
LED and laser based transmitter/receiver product line, designed for computer
networking applications and data link products designed for SONET and ATM
transmission standards. This product line consists of products compatible with
single mode fiber optic cable, which is more suitable for long distance and
high-speed transmission than multimode fiber optic cable. As most currently
available data link modules are designed for multimode fiber optic cable, the
Company has designed its products to be adaptable, providing for easy conversion
from a multimode type data link to a single mode optical fiber.

           The Company recently began shipping a transmitter/receiver product
incorporating WDM and two-way transmission over single fiber, thus increasing
bandwidth and facilitating the deployment of FTTC in residential networks.

           Products for the Access Network. The Company offers a line of
products that addresses the rapidly growing deployment of the access network.
These products include fiber optic transmission by both LECs and cable TV
providers to address the increasing demand for telephony, Internet access and
interactive cable TV services. The following is a brief description of these
products.

                FTTC: Telephone and High-speed Internet Access and Cable TV. The
     Company offers a bidirectional optical transmission and reception module
     for two-way simultaneous transmission of telephony and data over one fiber
     instead of the two fibers normally used to transmit and receive
     information. This product is integrated into a system currently deployed by
     Bell South and other LECs.

                The Company believes it is one of the few companies that offers
     subsystems for an FTTC solution that can be deployed economically within
     500 feet of the subscriber. Because the final drop is within 500 feet of
     the subscriber, the physical characteristics of the drop cable (the
     "baseband" characteristics) permit signal transmission at rates up to 155
     Mbps without requiring the addition of passband modulation electronics such
     as ISDN or xDSL. In addition, the Company's fiber solution requires only a
     single fiber (as opposed to separate upstream and downstream fibers). As a
     result, the Company believes that its fiber solution, in certain new
     network buildouts, such as in apartment complexes, can be currently
     deployed at a cost comparable to the cost of deploying a copper-based
     system. In addition, the Company believes that the lifetime cost of its
     fiber solution system will be significantly lower than copper-based systems
     due to the inherently lower maintenance requirements of fiber-based
     systems.

                The Company has developed WDM technology for its fiber solution
     that allows users of its solution to deliver high-speed Internet access and
     analog and digital broadcast and interactive video services. This
     technology allows the delivery of high-speed Internet access using an
     Ethernet connection. Individual users connect to the Internet using broadly
     available traditional LAN connection devices such as an Ethernet network
     interface card. Access via the Company's fiber solution provides a reliable
     "always on" connection to the Internet with lower power requirements than
     other FTTC alternatives.



                                       36
<PAGE>   39

                Downstream Cable TV. The Company has recently engaged in new
     business opportunities for linear lasers and receivers for cable TV and
     believes its products are well positioned to serve this market. The Company
     further believes that the upgrade of existing cable networks and the
     deployment of fiber by the telephone companies to provide cable TV delivery
     services is expected to increase the demand for the Company's products.

                Return Path Laser Transmitters. The Company's return path laser
     transmitters send video, voice and data signals from the end user to the
     cable TV operator. For interactive applications such as cable modems and
     Fast Internet access, a cable network must have two-way optical
     transmitters and receivers in place before those services can be offered.
     Most of today's cable networks still have just a one-way downstream path.

                DFB Laser Module for Cable TV (Narrowcasting). The Company
     offers DFB laser modules with high power and stable analog transmission
     which enable cable TV operators to send different signals to individual end
     users, a capability known as narrowcasting.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

           All of the Company's research and development projects are geared
toward technological advances with the goal of enabling the Company to introduce
innovative products early to market. New networking and fiber optic components
are constantly introduced to the market. This product introduction is driven by
a combination of rapidly evolving technology and standards, as well as changing
customer needs. MRV's research and product development strategy emphasizes
continuing evaluation of emerging trends and technical challenges in order to
identify new markets and product opportunities. The Company believes that its
success is due in part to its ability to maintain sophisticated technology
research programs while simultaneously focusing on practical applications to its
customers' strategic needs.

           In order to meet its customers' price and performance demands, MRV
has focused on developing custom ASICs to implement its core switching
technologies. The Company spends significant resources to maintain and extend
its comprehensive ASIC design and test expertise. All custom ASICs are developed
internally using third party state of the art design tools and the Company's
proprietary methodologies. The Company's ASIC expertise in conjunction with its
innovative product architectures and firmware enable the Company to develop
products characterized by high performance, reliability and low cost.

           The Company has successfully integrated Fibronics' research and
development projects with its own programs and has integrated its MegaSwitch
technology, including Gigabit Ethernet, with Fibronics' GigaHub architecture.
The Company is in the process of completing the consolidation of Xyplex'
research and development projects with its own and to date has integrated
certain aspects of MegaSwitch with Xyplex' networking products, including its
Network 9000.

           The Company also has a number of other new networking product
development programs underway, including multi-Gigabit Ethernet switching, ATM
and FDDI uplink modules. These products are being developed in response to
current technological trends and end user demands for greater bandwidth and
product flexibility. In addition, the Company is developing a WDM module for its
GigaFrame products, which will combine four-gigabit ports onto one fiber optic
cable. This is expected to provide enterprise customers with four-gigabit links
between switches on one single mode fiber. The Company plans to provide a stand-
alone version as well. These product development efforts target enterprise
customers as well as LECs and aim at providing backbone connectivity for IP
networks.

           New products under development in the area of fiber optics include
transmission products for cellular and personal communication systems which
allow transmission over fiber optic cable between sites and also fiber optic
components that will improve cable TV transmission and technologies that add
intelligence and manageability to optical layers.

           There can be no assurance that the technologies and applications
under development by the Company will be successfully developed, or, if they are
successfully developed, that they will be successfully marketed and sold to the
Company's existing and potential customers.

           At December 31, 1997, the Company had 88 employees dedicated to
research and product development. Research and development expenditures totaled
approximately $4,044,000, $8,201,000 and $13,093,000 for years ended December
31, 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively. At June 30, 1998, the Company had 162
employees dedicated to research and development.



                                       37
<PAGE>   40

CUSTOMERS

           The Company has sold its products worldwide to over 500 diverse
customers in a wide range of industries, primarily; data communications,
telecommunications and cable TV. The Company anticipates that these customers
will continue to purchase its products in the foreseeable future. No customer
accounted for more than 10% of the Company's revenues in 1995, 1996 or 1997.
Current customers include:

                                NETWORK SWITCHING


<TABLE>
<S>                                                       <C>
COMPUTERS AND ELECTRONICS                                 GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
- -------------------------                                 -------------------               
- - AMP Incorporated                                        - GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
- - ENGEL GMBH & CO.                                        - MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, GERMANY
- - FUJITSU LTD. (JAPAN)                                    - MINISTRY OF JUSTICE OF NETHERLANDS
- - INTEL CORPORATION                                       - MINISTRY OF SOCIAL SECURITY (BELGIUM)
- - INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION             - MITI (JAPAN)
- - NEWBRIDGE NETWORKS                                      - SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE
- - SOUTH HILLS ELECTRONICS                                 - US COAST GUARD


BANKING, FINANCE AND INSURANCE                            DIVERSIFIED AND OTHER
- ------------------------------                            ---------------------                     
- - Bankgarot Sweden                                        - ADP
- - CHASE MANHATTAN BANK                                    - BAYER AG
- - GE CAPITAL                                              - EASTMAN KODAK
- - HBOC                                                    - TELE-COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
- - NATIONSBANK                                             - THE WALT DISNEY CO.

                             FIBER OPTIC COMPONENTS


DATA COMMUNICATIONS                                       TELECOMMUNICATIONS
- -------------------                                       ------------------                  
- - Bay Networks, Inc.                                      - BROADBAND NETWORK INC.
- - CABLETRON                                               - CIENA
- - CISCO SYSTEMS, INC.                                     - CROSSCOM
- - OPTICAL DATA SYSTEMS                                    - RELTEC
- - PACKET ENGINES                                          - TELLABS
- - XYLAN                                                   - TRANSCOM


VIDEO AND VOICE COMMUNICATIONS                            INSTRUMENTATION
- ------------------------------                            ---------------               
- - Augat Communication Products Inc.                       - EXFO
- - C-COR                                                   - GN NETTEST
- - GENERAL INSTRUMENT                                      - NOYES FIBER SYSTEMS
- - KATHREIN WERKE                                          - 3M
- - TEXSCAN                                                 - WANDEL & GOLTERMANN
</TABLE>

MARKETING

           The Company markets and sells its products under the NBase
Communications, MRV Communications, West Hills LAN Systems, Xyplex and Xyplex
Networks brand names. Each product line has a dedicated sales and marketing
organization. At December 31, 1997, the Company had 129 employees engaged in
marketing and sales and at June 30, 1998 it had 280 employees so engaged. The
Company employs various methods, such as public relations, advertising, and
trade shows to build awareness of its products. Public relations activities are
conducted both internally and through relationships with outside agencies. Major
public relation activities are focused around new product introductions,
corporate partnerships and other events of interest to the market. The Company
supplements its public relations through media advertising programs and
attendance at various trade shows throughout the year, both in the United States
and internationally.



                                       38
<PAGE>   41

           The Company also establishes working relationships with trade
analysts, testing facilities and high visibility corporate and government
accounts. Since the results obtained by these organizations can often influence
customers' purchase decisions, a positive response from these organizations
regarding the Company's technology is important to product acceptance and
purchase. Other activities include attendance at technology seminars,
preparation of competitive analyses, sales training, publication of technical
and educational articles, maintenance of a Web site and direct mailing of
Company literature. The Company also believes that its participation in
high-profile interactive projects such as Bell South's FTTC project
significantly enhances its reputation and name recognition among existing and
potential customers.

SALES, SUPPORT AND DISTRIBUTION

           The Company continually seeks to augment and increase its
distribution channels and sales force to accelerate its growth. Products are
sold through the Company's direct sales force, VARs, systems integrators,
distributors, manufacturer's representatives and OEM customers. The Company's
sales and distribution divisions are organized along five primary lines: direct
sales, OEM, domestic and international distributors, VARs and systems
integrators and manufacturer's representatives; and domestic and international
distributors.

         Direct Sales. The Company employs a worldwide direct sales force
         primarily to sell its products to large OEM accounts and to a lesser
         extent to end users of the Fibronics product line. MRV believes that a
         direct sales force can best serve large customers by allowing
         salespeople to develop strong, lasting relationships which can
         effectively meet the customers' needs. The direct sales staff is
         located across the United States, Europe and Israel. The acquisition of
         the Fibronics Business more than doubled the Company's sales force from
         the period immediately preceding the acquisition and the Xyplex
         Acquisition has increased the total sales force again by over 70% from
         the period immediately preceding the acquisition. The largest portion
         of the increase from the Xyplex Acquisition was to the Company's
         domestic sales force which increased over 175% from the level existing
         immediately preceding the acquisition.

         OEM. Each of the Company's OEM partners resells the products under its
         own name. The Company believes that the OEM partnerships enhance its
         ability to sell its products in significant quantities to large
         organizations. Since these OEM partners provide their own technical and
         sales support to their customers, the Company is able to focus on other
         sales channels. The Company customarily enters into contracts with OEM
         customers to establish the terms and conditions of sales made pursuant
         to orders from OEMs. These OEMs incorporate the Company's product into
         systems or subsystems, which are then sold to end users via various
         distribution channels. The Company has established OEM relationships in
         connection with its switching equipment with leading communications and
         networking companies including Newbridge Networks, Fujitsu and Intel.
         The Company's fiber optic components are sold only to OEMs.

         Domestic and International Distributors. The Company works with both
         domestic and international distributors and has recently begun selling
         products through Tech Data. Geographic exclusivity is normally not
         awarded unless the distributor has exceptional performance.
         Distributors must successfully complete the Company's training programs
         and provide system installation, technical support, sales support and
         follow-on service to local customers. Generally, distributors have
         agreements with a one year term subject to automatic renewal unless
         otherwise canceled by either party. In certain cases with major
         distributors, the agreements are terminable on 30 days' notice. The
         Company uses stocking distributors, which purchase the Company's
         product and stock it in their warehouse for immediate delivery, and
         non-stocking distributors, which purchase the Company's product after
         the receipt of an order. Internationally, the Company sells through
         approximately 80 distributors in Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, the
         Middle East, Canada and Latin America.

         Value-Added Resellers and Systems Integrators. MRV uses a select group
         of VARs and system integrators in the U.S. which are generally selected
         for their ability to offer the Company's products in combination with
         related products and services, such as system design, integration and
         support. Such specialization allows the Company to penetrate targeted
         vertical markets such as telecommunications and cable TV. Generally,
         the Company uses a two-tier distribution system to reach a broader
         range of customers, however VARs may purchase the product directly from
         the Company if the volume warrants a direct relationship.

         Through the Xyplex Acquisition, the Company has added a network of over
         300 VARs to its distribution channel. The Company seeks to build
         dedication and loyalty from its resellers by offering special programs,
         the most recent providing its reseller base of companies dedicated
         marketing resources and an exclusive training and support program to
         help them grow their business.



                                       39
<PAGE>   42

         Manufacturers' Representatives. To supplement the Company's direct
         sales efforts, manufacturer's representatives are assigned by territory
         in the United States and work exclusively on commission.

           Customer Support and Service. The Company is committed to providing
strong technical support to its customers. MRV operates a customer service
group, and provides support through its engineering group, sales staff,
distributors, OEMs and VARs. Customer support personnel are currently located at
the Company's offices in California, Massachusetts, Maryland, Germany, England,
Italy and Israel.

           International Sales. International sales accounted for approximately
45%, 53% and 60% of the Company's net revenues in 1995, 1996 and 1997,
respectively.

MANUFACTURING

           The Company has developed proprietary ASICs to implement high level
component integration in its networking product development and manufacturing
processes. To develop ASICs successfully, the Company must transfer a code of
instructions to a single mask from which low cost duplicates can be made. Each
iteration of a mask involves a substantial up-front cost which can adversely
affect the Company's result of operations and financial condition if errors or
"bugs" occur following multiple duplication of the masks. While the Company has
not experienced material expenses to date as a result of errors discovered in
ASIC masks, because of the complexity of the duplication process and the
difficulty in detecting errors, the Company could suffer a material adverse
effect to its operating results and financial condition if errors in developing
ASICs were to occur in the future. The Company does not have a long-term supply
contract with any ASIC vendor or any other of its limited source vendors,
purchasing all of such components on a purchase order basis under standard terms
of sale. While the Company believes it would be able to obtain alternative
sources of supply for the ASICs or other key components, a change in ASIC or
other key suppliers of key components could require a significant lead time and,
therefore, could result in a delay in product shipments. While the Company has
not experienced delays in the receipt of ASICs or other key components, any
future difficulty in obtaining any of these key components could result in
delays or reductions in product shipments which, in turn, could have material
adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and financial
condition.

           The Company outsources the board-level assembly, test and quality
control of its computer networking products to third party contract
manufacturers, thereby allowing it to react quickly to market demand, to avoid
the significant capital investment required to establish and maintain
manufacturing and assembly facilities and to concentrate its resources on
product design and development. Final assembly, burn-in, final testing and
pack-out are performed by the Company and selected third-party contract
manufacturers to maintain quality control. The Company's manufacturing team is
experienced in advanced manufacturing and testing, in engineering, in ongoing
reliability/quality assurance and in managing third party contract
manufacturer's capacity, quality standards and manufacturing process. Risks
associated with the use of independent manufacturers include unavailability of
or delays in obtaining adequate supplies of products and reduced control of
manufacturing quality and production costs. If the Company's contract
manufacturers fail to deliver products in the future on a timely basis, or at
all, it would be extremely difficult for the Company to obtain adequate supplies
of products from other sources on short notice. There can be no assurance that
the Company's third party manufacturers will provide adequate supplies of
quality products on a timely basis, or at all. The Company could outsource with
other vendors; however, such a change in vendors may require significant time
and result in shipment delays and expenses. The inability to obtain such
products on a timely basis, the loss of a particular vendor or a change in the
terms and conditions of the outsourcing would have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business, operating results and financial condition.

           The Company relies almost exclusively on its own production
capability for critical semiconductor lasers and LEDs used in its products. The
Company's optical transmission production process involves (i) a wafer
processing facility for semiconductor laser diode and LED chip manufacturing
under stringent and accurate procedures using state-of-the-art wafer fabrication
technology, (ii) high precision electronic and mechanical assembly, and (iii)
final assembly and testing. Relevant assembly processes include die attach,
wirebond, substrate attachment and fiber coupling. The Company also conducts
tests throughout its manufacturing process using commercially available and
in-house built testing systems that incorporate proprietary procedures. The
Company performs final product tests on all of its products prior to shipment to
customers. Many of the key processes used in the Company's products are
proprietary; and, therefore, many of the key components of the Company's
products are designed and produced internally. Because the Company manufactures
these and other key components of its products at its own facility and such
components are not readily available from other sources, any interruption of the
Company's manufacturing process could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's operations. Furthermore, the Company has a limited number of employees
dedicated to the operation and maintenance of its wafer fabrication equipment,
the loss of any of whom could result in the Company's inability to effectively
operate and service such equipment. Wafer fabrication is sensitive to a wide
variety of factors, including variations and impurities in the raw materials,
difficulties in the fabrication process and performance of the


                                       40
<PAGE>   43



manufacturing equipment. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able
to maintain acceptable production yields and avoid product shipment delays. In
the event adequate production yields are not achieved resulting in product
shipment delays, the Company's business, operating results and financial
condition could be materially adversely affected. The Company believes that it
has sufficient manufacturing capacity for growth in the coming years. In
addition, at various times there have been shortages of parts in the electronics
industry, and certain critical components have been subject to limited
allocations. Although shortages of parts and allocations have not had a material
adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, there can be no assurance
that any future shortages or allocations would not have such an effect.

           The Company is subject to a variety of federal, state, and local
governmental laws and regulations related to the storage, use, emission,
discharge, and disposal of toxic, volatile or otherwise hazardous chemicals used
in the manufacturing process. There can be no assurance that environmental laws
and regulations will not result in the need for additional capital equipment or
other requirements. Further, such laws and regulations could restrict the
Company's ability to expand its operations. Any failure by the Company to obtain
required permits for, control of use of, or adequately restrict the discharge,
emission or release of, hazardous substances under present or future laws and
regulations could subject the Company to substantial liability or could cause
its manufacturing operations to be suspended. Such liability or suspension of
manufacturing operations could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
operating results. To date, such laws and regulations have not had a material
adverse effect on the Company's operating results.

COMPETITION

           The communications equipment and component industry is intensely
competitive. The Company competes directly with a number of established and
emerging computer, communications and networking device companies. Direct
competitors in network switching include Bay Networks, Inc., Cabletron Systems,
Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., FORE Systems, Inc., Lucent Technologies, 3Com
Corporation and Xylan. Direct competitors in the network access market include
Ascend, Bay Networks, Cisco Systems, Inc., Lucent Technologies, Shiva and 3Com.
Direct competitors in fiber optic transmission products include AMP
Incorporated, Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard Company, Lucent Technologies Inc.,
Mitsubishi, NEC Electronics Inc., Ortel Corporation and Siemens Components, Inc.
Many of the Company's competitors have significantly greater financial,
technical, marketing, distribution and other resources and larger installed
customer bases than MRV. Several of these competitors have recently introduced
or announced their intentions to introduce new competitive products. Many of the
larger companies with which the Company competes offer customers a broader
product line which provides a more comprehensive networking solution than the
Company's products. The ability to act as a single source vendor and provide a
customer with an enterprise-wide networking solution has increasingly become an
important competitive factor. In addition, there are a number of early stage
companies which are developing Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet switching and
alternative solutions. If developed successfully, these solutions could be
higher in performance or more cost-effective than the Company's products.

           Moreover, there are also several alternative network technologies.
For example, in the local access market, the Company's products compete with
telephone network technology known as "ADSL." In this technology, digital
signals are transmitted through existing telephone lines from the central office
to the home. The Company also expects that competitive pricing pressures could
result in price declines for the Company's and its competitors' products. Such
increased competition, if not accompanied by decreasing costs, could result in
reduced margins and loss of market share which would materially and adversely
affect the Company's business, operating results and financial condition.

           The networking industry has become increasingly concentrated in
recent years as a result of consolidation. This consolidation is likely to
permit the Company's competitors to devote significantly greater resources to
the development and marketing of new competitive products and the marketing of
existing competitive products to their larger installed bases. The Company
expects that competition will increase substantially as a result of these and
other industry consolidations and alliances, as well as the emergence of new
competitors.

PROPRIETARY RIGHTS

           To date, the Company has relied principally upon copyrights and trade
secrets to protect its proprietary technology. The Company generally enters into
confidentiality agreements with its employees and key suppliers and otherwise
seeks to limit access to and distribution of the source code to its software and
other proprietary information. There can be no assurance that such steps will be
adequate to prevent misappropriation of the Company's technology or that a third
party will not independently develop technology similar or superior to the
Company's technology. The Company has filed two patent applications and a
provisional patent application in the United States. With the Xyplex
Acquisition, MRV acquired five additional provisional patent applications filed
by Xyplex on certain aspects of its technology. There can be no assurance that
patents will be issued with respect to the pending applications or that, if
issued, such patents will be upheld as valid or will prevent the development of



                                       41
<PAGE>   44

competitive products. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries may not
permit the protection of the Company's proprietary rights to the same extent as
do the laws of the United States.

           There has been substantial industry litigation regarding intellectual
property rights involving technology companies. By letter to the Company dated
March 19, 1997, a party has made a claim against the Company alleging that the
Company's DirectIP switching products make use of unspecified information and
know-how covered by a pending patent application of such party. This allegation
is under review by the Company and the Company believes that the allegation is
without merit. However, a complete assessment cannot be made with respect to the
merits of the allegation until further details of the information and know-how
are provided by such third party. Currently, sales of DirectIP products are not
material to the Company, however, if the DirectIP switching products comprise a
material part of the Company's revenues in the future and a conclusion in
respect of the claim unfavorable to the Company is reached, the claim, if
pursued by such party, could materially and adversely affect the business,
operating results and financial condition of the Company. In addition, on
December 27, 1996, Datapoint brought an action against NBase, a subsidiary of
the Company, and others alleging infringement of two of Datapoint's patents. The
other defendants include Dayna Communications, Inc., Sun Microsystems, Inc.,
Adaptec, Inc., International Business Machines Corporation, Lantronix and SVEC
America Computer Corporation. Intel and Cisco Systems, Inc. have also had
actions brought against them by Datapoint with respect to the same two patents.
The Company is cooperating with several of these companies in pursuit of common
defenses and believes it has meritorious defenses to this action. If a
conclusion unfavorable to the Company is reached, however, Datapoint's claim
could materially and adversely affect the business, operating results and
financial condition of the Company. For further information concerning this
litigation, see "-- Legal Proceedings".

In the future, additional litigation may be necessary to protect trade secrets
and other intellectual property rights owned by the Company, to enforce any
patents issued to the Company, to defend the Company against claimed
infringement of the rights of others and to determine the scope and validity of
the proprietary rights of others. Any such litigation could be costly and a
diversion of management's attention, which could have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business, operating results and financial condition. An adverse
determination in such litigation could further result in the loss of the
Company's proprietary rights, subject the Company to significant liabilities,
require the Company to seek licenses from third parties or prevent the Company
from manufacturing or selling its products, any of which could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and financial
condition. The Company typically has agreed to indemnify its customers and key
suppliers for liability incurred in connection with the infringement of a third
party's intellectual property rights.

EMPLOYEES

           As of June 30, 1998, the Company had 723 employees, including 208 in
production, 280 in sales, marketing and support, 162 in research and
development, 67in general and administration and six executive officers. None of
the Company's employees are represented by a union or governed by a collective
bargaining agreement, and the Company believes its relationship with its
employees is good.

FACILITIES

           The Company's principal administrative, sales and marketing, research
and development and manufacturing facility is located in Chatsworth, California.
The facility covers approximately 17,700 square feet and is leased from an
unaffiliated third party at an annual base rent of approximately $122,256 (plus
local taxes) for a lease term expiring in March 1999. In addition, the Company
leases space in three buildings near its primary facility in Chatsworth,
consisting of approximately 5,000 square feet, approximately 12,800 square feet
and approximately 20,950 square feet from unaffiliated third parties at annual
base rentals of approximately $43,000, $91,000 and $131,000 respectively. The
terms of these leases expire in March 1999, March 1999 and January 2003,
respectively.

           Xyplex occupies a facility in Littleton, Massachusetts, consisting of
approximately 101,000 square feet under a lease that expires in October 1998.
Annual base rent under this lease is approximately $425,000. Xyplex has
exercised an option to renew this lease through October 2001 on the same terms
except with respect to rent which will be at the prevailing market rate. Most of
the square footage is used for manufacturing, engineering, and product
development, while the remainder is used for sales, marketing, and other general
and administrative support.

           The Company also leases space in Germantown, Maryland for its sales
office and warehouses. This facility covers approximately 4,800 square feet and
is leased from an unaffiliated third party at an annual base rent of
approximately $38,000 per year (plus local taxes) for a lease term expiring
October 2001.



                                       42
<PAGE>   45

           The Company's administrative, sales and marketing, research and
development and manufacturing operations in Israel are located in Yokneam,
Israel in facilities that cover approximately 23,400 square feet, are leased for
total annual base rents of approximately $206,000 for a lease term expiring in
January 2002.

           The Company leases approximately 5,200 square feet of space from an
unaffiliated third party in Basingstoke, England which it uses for sales,
marketing and warehousing. The premises are leased for total annual base rents
of approximately $75,000 for a lease term expiring in August 1999.

           The Company leases approximately 1,600 square feet of space from an
unaffiliated third party in Frankfurt, Germany, which it uses for sales,
marketing and warehousing. The premises are leased for total annual base rents
of approximately $221,000 for a lease term expiring in August 1999.

           The Company also occupies space under a capital lease with an
unaffiliated third party in Milan, Italy which it uses for sales offices and
warehousing. Annual payments under the lease are approximately $220,000 and the
lease runs through March 2004.

           The Company believes that its present facilities are sufficient to
meet its current needs and that adequate additional space will be available for
lease when required.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

           On December 27, 1996, Datapoint brought an action against NBase and
several other defendants in the United States District Court for the Eastern
District of New York alleging infringement of two of Datapoint's patents related
to LANs, more particularly to claimed improved LANs which interoperatively
combine additional enhanced capability and/or which provide multiple different
operational capabilities. In the same lawsuit, Datapoint alleges that other
defendants including Dayna Communications, Inc., Sun Microsystems, Inc.,
Adaptec, Inc., International Business Machines Corporation, Lantronix and SVEC
America Computer Corporation have infringed the same two patents. The Company
has been advised that several other companies, including Intel Corporation and
Cisco Systems, Inc. have also had actions brought against them by Datapoint with
respect to the same two patents. The action against NBase and its codefendants
seeks, among other things, an injunction against the manufacture or sale of
products which embody the inventions set forth in the two patents and single and
treble damages for the alleged infringement. Datapoint's complaint also seeks to
have the court determine that the named defendants shall serve as
representatives of a defendant class of manufacturers, vendors and users of
products allegedly infringing on Datapoint's claimed patents from which
defendant class Datapoint seeks the same relief as from the individual
defendants. The Company is cooperating with several of the defendants in pursuit
of common defenses and believes it has meritorious defenses to this action. If a
conclusion unfavorable to the Company is reached, however, Datapoint's claim
could materially affect the business, operating results and financial condition
of the Company.



                                       43
<PAGE>   46


                                   MANAGEMENT

           The current executive officers and directors of the Company are as
follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                                       AGE                     POSITION
- ----                                       ---                     --------
<S>                                        <C>   <C>
Noam Lotan(1)...........................    46   President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Shlomo Margalit(1)......................    56   Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Technical Officer and Secretary
Zeev Rav-Noy(1).........................    50   Chief Operating Officer, Treasurer and Director
Edmund Glazer...........................    38   Vice President of Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer
Khalid (Ken) Ahmad......................    45   Vice President of Marketing and Sales
Ofer Iny................................    30   Vice President of Engineering
Igal Shidlovsky(2)(3)...................    61   Director
Guenter Jaensch(2)(3)...................    59   Director
</TABLE>


(1) Member of the Executive Committee.

(2) Member of the Compensation Committee.

(3) Member of the Audit Committee.

           NOAM LOTAN has been the President, Chief Executive Officer and a
Director of the Company since May 1990 and became Chief Financial Officer of the
Company in October 1993, in which position he served until June 1995. From March
1987 to January 1990, Mr. Lotan served as Managing Director of Fibronics (UK)
Ltd., the United Kingdom subsidiary of Fibronics International Inc.
("Fibronics"), a manufacturer of fiber optic communication networks. The Company
purchased the Fibronics Business in September 1996. From January 1985 to March
1987, Mr. Lotan served as a Director of European Operations for Fibronics. Prior
to such time, Mr. Lotan held a variety of sales and marketing positions with
Fibronics and Hewlett-Packard. Mr. Lotan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in
Electrical Engineering from the Technion, the Israel Institute of Technology,
and a Masters degree in Business Administration from INSEAD (the European
Institute of Business Administration, Fontainebleau, France).

           DR. SHLOMO MARGALIT, a co-founder of the Company, has been Chairman
of the Board of Directors and Chief Technical Officer since the Company's
inception in July 1988. From May 1985 to July 1988, Dr. Margalit served as a
founder and Vice President of Research and Development for LaserCom, Inc.
("LaserCom"), a manufacturer of semiconductor lasers. From 1982 to 1985, Dr.
Margalit served as a Senior Research Associate at the California Institute of
Technology ("Caltech"), and from 1976 to 1982, a Visiting Associate at Caltech.
From 1972 to 1982, Dr. Margalit served as a faculty member and Associate
Professor at the Technion. During his tenure at the Technion, Dr. Margalit was
awarded the "Israel Defense" prize for his work in developing infrared detectors
for heat guided missiles and the David Ben Aharon Award for Novel Applied
Research. Dr. Margalit holds a Bachelor of Science degree, a Masters degree and
a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the Technion.

           DR. ZEEV RAV-NOY, a co-founder of the Company, has been its Chief
Operating Officer and a Director of the Company since inception and served as
its President until May 1990. From May 1985 to July 1988, Dr. Rav-Noy co-founded
and served as Vice President of Operations of LaserCom and, from 1982 to 1985,
served as a research fellow at Caltech. From 1979 to 1982, Dr. Rav-Noy served as
a consultant to a number of companies, including Tadiran Electronic Industries,
Inc., an Israeli telecommunication, military, and consumer electronics
conglomerate, and the Yeda Research and Development Co. Ltd., a technology
exploitation and application company affiliated with the Weizman Institute in
Israel. Dr. Rav-Noy holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Masters degree in
Physics from Tel Aviv University and a Ph.D. in Applied Physics from the Weizman
Institute in Israel.

           EDMUND GLAZER was appointed Vice President of Finance and
Administration and Chief Financial Officer in June 1995. He has been with the
Company since October 1994 serving as Operations Manager. In 1993 and 1994, Mr.
Glazer served as a consultant providing document imaging and information systems
to clients. From 1986 to 1993, Mr. Glazer served as Vice President of Finance at
Concord Electrical Supply, a distributor of electrical and electronic products.
From 1984 to 1986, Mr. Glazer worked as a certified public accountant at the
accounting firm of Singer, Lewak Greenbaum & Goldstein. From 1981 to 1984, Mr.
Glazer worked as an auditor at the accounting firm of Weber, Lipshie & Co. In
1983, Mr. Glazer qualified as a



                                       44
<PAGE>   47

Certified Public Accountant from the State of California. Mr. Glazer holds a
Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of
Southern California.

           KHALID (KEN) AHMAD has been employed as Vice President of Marketing
and Sales since July 1990 and an Executive Officer since May 1992. From April
1990 to July 1990, Mr. Ahmad served as a consultant to the Company. From January
1990 to March 1990, Mr. Ahmad served as a consultant to Welwyn Microcircuits, a
British manufacturer, providing market research information on fiber optic
technology. From October 1988 to November 1989, Mr. Ahmad served as marketing
manager and regional sales manager for STC Components, a manufacturer of optical
transmission components. From 1985 to 1988, he served as marketing operations
manager for PCO, Inc. a manufacturer of optical transmission devices and data
links. From 1977 to 1985, Mr. Ahmad also held a variety of marketing and sales
management positions with Canoga Data Systems, a data communications equipment
manufacturer, and Deutsch Company, an aerospace manufacturer. Mr. Ahmad holds a
Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from California State University at San
Bernardino.

           OFER INY has been Vice President of Engineering of the Company since
May 1994. From January 1993 to May 1994, he served as a consultant to the
Company. From September 1991 to January 1993, Mr. Iny was a researcher at Jet
Propulsion Laboratory, Microgravity and Microwave Group. From May 1990 to March
1992, Mr. Iny held the position of Senior Engineer at Whittaker Electronic
Systems, a manufacturer. Mr. Iny holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics
from California State University, Northridge, and a Masters degree in Physics
from University of California, Los Angeles.

           DR. IGAL SHIDLOVSKY became a Director of the Company in May 1997. Dr.
Shidlovsky serves as Managing Director of Global Technologies, an investment and
consulting organization, which he founded in 1994. He has extensive management
and consulting experience with international companies and start up technology
companies. Dr. Shidlovsky is a Director of the Omega Point Foundation. From 1982
to 1991, Dr. Shidlovsky was a Director of Sentex Sensing Technologies. Dr.
Shidlovsky held several executive positions including Vice President Corporate
Development at Siemens Pacesetter, a division of Siemens AG Medical Group,
Director of Strategic Planning and Technology Utilization, and Director of the
Microelectronics Department at Siemens Corporate Research. From 1969 to 1982 he
was with RCA Laboratories, a leading electronic R&D organization. Dr. Shidlovsky
holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the Technion and Masters
and Ph.D. degrees from the Hebrew University in Israel.

           DR. GUENTER JAENSCH became a Director of the Company in December
1997, agreeing to serve after Mr. Eddie Kawamura, who had been elected a
Director at the Company's annual meeting of shareholders, became too ill to
serve. Dr. Jaensch serves as Managing Director of The McKenzie Companies, Inc.
and McKenzie Ventures LTD. and as President of Jaensch Enterprises, each firm
engaged in management consulting, mergers and acquisitions and investments. For
over 20 years, Dr. Jaensch held several executive positions with Siemens or its
subsidiaries. Among his executive positions in the United States were service as
President of Siemens Communications Systems, Inc.; Chairman of Siemens Corporate
Research and Support, Inc.; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pacesetter;
and head of the cardiac management division of Siemens AG Medical Group. Dr.
Jaensch also served as controller of Siemens Data Processing Group and Director
of Siemens Internal Accounting and Budgeting operations. Dr. Jaensch holds a
Masters degree in Business Administration and Ph.D. degree in Finance from the
University of Frankfurt. He also served as an Associate Professor at the
University of Frankfurt prior to joining Siemens.

           Each director is elected for a period of one year at the Company's
annual meeting of stockholders and serves until the next annual meeting and
until his successor is duly elected and qualified. Officers are elected by, and
serve at the discretion of, the Board of Directors, subject to relevant
employment agreements. None of the Directors of the Company are related by
blood, marriage or adoption to any of the Company's Directors or executive
officers.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

           The members of the Board of Directors who are not employees of the
Company receive cash compensation of $800 per month and $500 for each Board of
Directors' meeting attended, while serving as Directors.



                                       45
<PAGE>   48

           The following table sets forth a summary of all compensation paid by
the Company to its Chief Executive Officer and for each of its other executive
officers whose total annual salary and bonus exceeded $100,000 (the "Named
Executive Officers") during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                           LONG-TERM
                                                                                                         COMPENSATION
                                                                                                          SECURITIES
                                                                                                          UNDERLYING
                                                                   ANNUAL COMPENSATION                      OPTIONS
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITIONS                               YEAR            SALARY           BONUS           (#)(1)
- ----------------------------                               ----            ------           -----           ------
<S>                                                        <C>     <C>                    <C>            <C>
Noam Lotan...........................................      1997          $  100,000       $      0                0
President and Chief Executive Officer                      1996             100,000              0           30,000
                                                           1995             100,000              0                0
Shlomo Margalit......................................      1997             110,000              0                0
Chairman of the Board of Directors,                        1996             110,000              0                0
Chief Technical Officer and Secretary                      1995             110,000              0                0
Zeev Rav-Noy.........................................      1997             110,000         60,000                0
Chief Operating Officer                                    1996             110,000         60,000                0
                                                           1995             110,000         60,000                0
Ken Ahmad............................................      1997              90,000         45,830                0
Vice President of Marketing and Sales                      1996              90,000         57,170                0
                                                           1995              90,000         43,500          150,000
</TABLE>

                          FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES

           None of the Named Executive Officers were granted or exercised any
stock options during the year ended December 31, 1997. Neither Dr. Margalit nor
Dr. Rav-Noy hold any stock options. The following table provides certain
information concerning stock options held by the other Named Executive Officers
at December 31, 1997:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      NUMBER OF SHARES UNDERLYING                  VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                        UNEXERCISED OPTIONS AT                    IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS AT
                                           DECEMBER 31, 1997                       DECEMBER 31, 1997 (1)
                                    ---------------------------------         ---------------------------------
                                    EXERCISABLE         UNEXERCISABLE         EXERCISABLE         UNEXERCISABLE
                                    -----------         -------------         -----------         -------------
<S>                                 <C>                 <C>                   <C>                 <C>        
Noam Lotan.....................        10,000              20,000             $   154,550          $   309,100
Ken Ahmad......................       100,000              50,000               2,024,500            1,012,250
</TABLE>

- ----------

(1)        Based on the difference between $23.88 per share (the last sale price
           per share of Common Stock on December 31, 1997 as reported on the
           Nasdaq National Market) and the per share exercise price.

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS

           In March 1992, the Company entered into three-year employment
agreements with Mr. Lotan, Dr. Margalit and Dr. Rav-Noy. Upon expiration, these
agreements automatically renew for one year terms unless either party terminates
them by giving the other three months' notice of non-renewal prior to the
expiration of the current term. Pursuant to the agreements, Mr. Lotan serves as
President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Company, Dr. Margalit
serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Technical Officer and
Secretary, and Dr. Rav-Noy serves as a Chief Operating Officer, Treasurer and a
Director. Mr. Lotan, Dr. Margalit and Dr. Rav-Noy receive base annual salaries
of $100,000, $110,000 and $110,000, respectively, and each is entitled to
receive a bonus determined and payable at the discretion of the Board of
Directors upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee of the Board.
Recommendations with respect to bonus levels are based on achievement of
specified goals, such as new product introductions, profitability levels,
revenue goals, market expansion and other criteria as established by the
Compensation Committee.



                                       46
<PAGE>   49

           Each officer also receives employee benefits, such as vacation, sick
pay and insurance, in accordance with the Company's policies which are
applicable to all employees. The Company has obtained, and is the beneficiary
of, key man life insurance policies in the amount of $1,000,000 on the lives of
each of Drs. Margalit and Rav-Noy and Mr. Lotan. All benefits under these
policies will be payable to the Company upon the death of an insured.

STOCK OPTION PLANS

           1992 Plan. On March 27, 1992, the Board of Directors and stockholders
of the Company adopted the 1992 Stock Option Plan (the "1992 Plan"), which
provides for the grant to employees, officers, directors and consultants of
options to purchase up to 900,000 shares of Common Stock, consisting of both
"incentive stock options" within the meaning of Section 422 of the United States
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and non-qualified
options. Incentive stock options are issuable only to employees of the Company,
while non-qualified options may be issued to non-employee directors, consultants
and others, as well as to employees of the Company. The Board increased the 1992
Plan by 900,000 shares in February 1995, which was approved by stockholders in
June 1995 and in May 1996 increased the 1992 Plan by 150,000 shares, which was
approved by stockholders in July 1996.

           Under the 1992 Plan, the Compensation Committee has the authority to
determine the persons to whom options will be granted, the number of shares to
be covered by each option, whether the options granted are intended to be
incentive stock options, the duration and rate of exercise of each option, the
option price per share, the manner of exercise and the time, manner and form of
payment upon exercise of an option.

           The exercise price per share of Common Stock subject to incentive
stock options may not be less than the fair market value of the Common Stock on
the date the option is granted. The exercise price per share of Common Stock
subject to non-qualified options will be established by the Board of Directors.
The aggregate fair market value (determined as of the date the option is
granted) of the Common Stock that any employee may purchase in any calendar year
pursuant to the exercise of incentive stock options may not exceed $100,000. No
person who owns, directly or indirectly, at the time of the granting of an
incentive stock option to him, more than 10% of the total combined voting power
of all classes of stock of the Company shall be eligible to receive any
incentive stock options under the 1992 Plan unless the exercise price is at
least 110% of grant. Nonqualified options are not subject to this limitation.

           No incentive stock option may be transferred by an optionee other
than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and, during the lifetime of
an optionee, the option will be exercisable only by the optionee. In the event
of termination of employment other than by death or disability, the optionee
will have three months after such termination or until the expiration of such
option, whichever occurs first, to exercise the option. Upon termination of
employment of an optionee by reason of death or permanent total disability,
options remain exercisable for one year thereafter or until the expiration of
such option, whichever occurs first, to the extent they were exercisable on the
date of such termination. No similar limitation applies to non-qualified
options.

           Stock options under the 1992 Plan must be granted within 10 years
from the effective date of the 1992 Plan. Incentive stock options granted under
the 1992 Plan cannot be exercised more than 10 years from the date of grant,
except that incentive stock options issued to 10% or greater stockholders are
limited to five year terms. All options granted under the 1992 Plan provide for
the payment of the exercise price in cash or by delivery to the Company of
shares of Common Stock already owned by the optionee having a fair market value
equal to the exercise price of the options being exercised, or by a combination
of such methods of payment. Therefore, an optionee may be able to tender shares
of Common Stock to purchase additional shares of Common Stock and may
theoretically exercise all of his stock options without making any additional
cash investment.

           Any unexercised options that expire or that terminate upon an
employee's ceasing to be employed with the Company become available once again
for issuance. At July 31, 1998, options for 1,124,707 shares were outstanding
under the 1992 Plan and none were reserved thereunder for options available for
future grant.

           1997 Plan. On November 11, 1997 and December 12, 1997, respectively,
the Board of Directors and stockholders of the Company adopted the 1997
Incentive and Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan (the "1997 Plan"), which provides
for the grant of options to purchase up to 500,000 shares of Common Stock. The
Company's 1997 Plan provides for the granting of (i) incentive stock options to
key employees and (ii) nonstatutory stock options to key employees and
non-employee directors of the Company and any person who performs consulting or
advisory services for the Company and who is, by the Board of Directors or the
Stock Option Committee, determined to be eligible to participate. For
information concerning the federal income tax distinctions of incentive and
nonstatutory stock options, see "Federal Income Tax Consequences of Incentive
Stock Options and Nonstatutory Stock Options," below.


                                       47
<PAGE>   50

           The maximum number of shares of the Company's Common Stock that may
be issued pursuant to the exercise of options granted under the 1997 Plan is
500,000 shares (subject to adjustment in the event of stock dividends, splits,
reverse splits, recapitalizations, mergers or other similar changes in the
Company's capital structure). No more than 500,000 shares may be optioned and
sold to directors or non-director officers under the Stock Option Plan as
amended. All options must be granted, if at all, not later than November 10,
2007. The aggregate fair market value (determined as of the date the option is
granted) of the shares of Common Stock to which incentive stock options granted
under the Stock Option Plan are exercisable for the first time by any employee
of the Company during any calendar year may not exceed $100,000. This limitation
does not apply with respect to nonstatutory stock options.

           The 1997 Plan is to be administered by the full Board of Directors,
which will determine the terms of options granted, including the exercise price,
the number of shares subject to the option and the terms and conditions of
exercise. No option granted under the 1997 Plan is transferable by the optionee
other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and each option is
exercisable during the lifetime of the optionee only by such optionee. Incentive
stock options and nonstatutory stock options may be and typically are granted
for exercise for up to ten years from the date granted and typically vest in
equal installments over three years from the date of grant.

           Options granted under the 1997 Plan are evidenced by written
agreements specifying the number of shares covered thereby and the option price,
the exercise period and all other terms, restrictions and conditions of the
option. The exercise price of all stock options granted under the 1997 Plan must
be at least equal to the fair market value of such shares on the date of grant.
With respect to any optionee who owns stock possessing more than 10% of the
voting rights of the Company's outstanding capital stock, the exercise price of
any stock option must be not less than 110% of the fair market value on the date
of grant.

           Options must be exercised only by written notice from the optionee
(or his estate or other legal representative) to the Company accompanied by
payment of the option price in full. The option price may be paid in cash, cash
equivalents (certified or cashier's check), or with shares of Common Stock of
the Company.

           As of July 31, 1998, options to purchase an aggregate of 383,000
shares of Common Stock were outstanding, no options granted under the 1997 Plan
had been exercised and 117,000 were available for future grant. The Company
plans to seek shareholder approval at it 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to
increase by 500,000 shares the maximum number of shares of the Company's Common
Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of options granted under the
1997 Plan.

           Other Option Plans. The Company also has two other outstanding option
programs: (1) its 1998 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan, under which the Company
may grant nonstatutory stock options to purchase up to 1,100,000 shares of
Common Stock to employees the Company and any person who performs consulting or
advisory services for the Company and who is, by the Board of Directors or the
Stock Option Committee, determined to be eligible to participate, and (2) its
German Employees Warrant Program under which the Company may grant warrants to
purchase up to 100,000 shares of Common Stock to employees of its German
subsidiaries. Directors and officers of the Company are not eligible to
participate in either of these plans. At July 31, 1998 options for 1,031,000
shares were outstanding under the 1998 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan and 69,000
were reserved thereunder for options available for future grant. At July 31,
1998, warrants for 100,000 shares were outstanding under the German Employees
Warrant Program and none were reserved thereunder for warrants available for
future grant.

LIMITATION ON LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION MATTERS

           The Company's Certificate of Incorporation includes a provision that
eliminates or limits the personal financial liability of the Company's
directors, except in situations where there has been a breach of the director's
duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders, acts or omissions not in
good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of
law, liability under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law
("Section 174") relative to unlawful payment of dividends, stock purchases or
redemptions, or any transaction from which the director derived an improper
personal benefit. Furthermore, Section 174 eliminates monetary liability for
gross negligence in exercising the duty of due care related to the directors'
fiduciary duties under state corporate law, however, such section does not
eliminate monetary liability of directors under the federal Securities laws. In
addition, the Company's Bylaws include provisions to indemnify its officers and
directors and other persons against expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid
in settlement in connection with threatened, pending or completed suits or
proceedings against such persons by reason of serving or having served as
officers, directors or in other capacities, except that in relation to matters
with respect to which such persons shall be determined to be liable for
misconduct or negligence in the performance of their duties, the Company's
Bylaws provide for indemnification only to the extent that the Company
determines that such person acted in good faith and in a manner not opposed to
the best interests of the Company. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities
arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers
or persons controlling the Company



                                       48
<PAGE>   51

pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Company has been informed that in the
opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
against the public policy as expressed in the Act and is therefore
unenforceable.



                                       49
<PAGE>   52

                             PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

           The following table sets forth certain information regarding the
beneficial ownership of the Common Stock as of July 31, 1998, of (i) each person
known by the Company to own beneficially 5% or more of the Common Stock, (ii)
each current director of the Company owning Common Stock, (iii) each of the
Named Executive Officers and (iv) all current directors and executive officers
as a group.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND ADDRESS(1) OF BENEFICIAL                                                      Common Stock
OWNER(2) OR IDENTITY OF GROUP                                                      Number         Percent
- -----------------------------                                                      ------         -------
<S>                                                                               <C>             <C> 
Shlomo Margalit................................................................   1,843,930         6.9%
Zeev Rav-Noy...................................................................   1,713,915         6.4%
Noam Lotan(3)..................................................................     883,437         3.3%
Ken Ahmad(4)...................................................................     313,464         1.2%
Provident Investment Counsel, Inc.(5).........................................    1,673,235         6.3%
  300 North Lake Avenue
  Pasadena, CA 91101-4022
The TCW Group, Inc.(5).........................................................   1,413,900         5.3%
  865 South Figueroa Street
  Los Angeles, CA 90017
Robert Day(5)(6)...............................................................   1,413,900         5.3%
  200 Park Avenue
  New York, New York 10166
All executive officers and directors as a group (8 persons)(7).................   4,934,646        18.3%
</TABLE>



(1)        Except as noted below, the address of each of the persons listed is
           c/o MRV Communications, Inc., 8943 Fullbright Avenue, Chatsworth, CA
           91311.

(2)        Pursuant to the rules of the Commission, shares of Common Stock that
           an individual or group has a right to acquire within 60 days pursuant
           to the exercise of options or warrants are deemed to be outstanding
           for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of such
           individual or group, but are not deemed to be outstanding for the
           purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person
           shown in the table.

(3)        Includes 20,000 shares issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable
           within 60 days from July 31, 1998.

(4)        Includes 150,000 shares issuable pursuant to stock options
           exercisable within 60 days from July 31, 1998.

(5)        Based on the latest Schedule 13G filed by the listed person with the
           Commission through July 31, 1998.

(6)        Consists of the same shares as those reflected for The TCW Group,
           Inc.

(7)        Includes 349,900 shares issuable pursuant to stock options
           exercisable within 60 days from July 31, 1998.



                                       50
<PAGE>   53

                            DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

           The Notes were issued under an Indenture, dated as of June 26, 1998
(the "Indenture"), between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust
Company, as Trustee (the "Trustee"), copies of which available for inspection at
the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City
of New York. A copy of the Indenture is also included as an Exhibit to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part. Wherever particular
defined terms of the Indenture (including the Notes and the various forms
thereof) are referred to, such defined terms are incorporated herein by
reference (the Notes and various terms relating to the Note, being referred to
in the Indenture as "Securities"). References in this section to the "Company"
are solely to MRV Communications, Inc. and not to its subsidiaries. The
following summaries of certain provisions of the Indenture do not purport to be
complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference
to, the detailed provisions of the Notes and the Indenture, including the
definitions therein of certain terms. Section references below are references to
sections of the Indenture.

GENERAL

           The Notes will be unsecured subordinated obligations of the Company,
will be limited to $100,000,000 aggregate principal amount, and will mature on
June 15, 2003. The Notes bear interest at the rate of 5 percent per annum from
June 26, 1998 or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest
has been paid or provided for, payable semiannually on June 15 and December 15
of each year, commencing on December 15, 1998.

           The Notes will be convertible into Common Stock initially at the
conversion rate stated on the cover page hereof, subject to adjustment upon the
occurrence of certain events described under "Conversion Rights," at any time on
and after the 90th day following the last original issue date of the Notes and
prior to the close of business on the maturity date, unless previously redeemed
or repurchased.

           The Notes are redeemable at the option of the Company under the
circumstances and at the redemption prices set forth below under "Optional
Redemption," plus accrued interest to the redemption date. The Notes also are
subject to repurchase by the Company at the option of the Holders as described
under "Repurchase at Option of Holders Upon Change of Control."

           The Notes will be issued only in fully registered form, without
coupons, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. No
service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of
Notes, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax
or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

FORM AND DENOMINATION

           Notes initially resold to "qualified institutional buyers" as defined
in Rule 144A under the Securities Act ("QIBs") in reliance upon Rule 144A were
initially represented by one or more global Notes in fully registered form
without interest coupons (collectively, the "Restricted Global Note") and were
deposited with the Trustee as custodian for DTC and registered in the name of a
nominee of DTC.

           Any beneficial interest in one of the Global Notes that is
transferred to a person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in the
other Global Note will, upon transfer, cease to be an interest in such Global
Note and will become an interest in the other Global Note and, accordingly, will
thereafter be subject to all transfer restrictions and other procedures
applicable to beneficial interests in such other Global Note for so long as it
remains such an interest.

           The Company initially appointed the Trustee at its Corporate Trust
Office as paying agent, transfer agent, registrar and conversion agent for the
Notes. In such capacities, the Trustee is responsible for, among other things,
(i) maintaining a record of the aggregate holdings of Notes represented by the
Regulation S Global Note and the Restricted Global Note and accepting Notes for
exchange and registration of transfer, (ii) ensuring that payments of principal,
premium, if any, and interest in respect of the Notes received by the Trustee
from the Company are duly paid to DTC or its nominees, (iii) transmitting to the
Company any notices from holders, (iv) accepting conversion notices and related
documents, and transmitting the relevant items to the Company and (v) delivering
certificates for Common Stock issued in conversion of the Notes.

           The Company will cause each transfer agent to act as a registrar and
will cause to be kept at the office of each transfer agent a register in which,
subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company will
provide for the registration of the Notes and registration of transfers of the
Notes. The Company may vary or terminate the appointment of any paying agent,
transfer agent or conversion agent, or appoint additional or other such agents
or approve any change of the office through which any such agent acts, provided
that there shall at all times be a paying agent, a transfer agent and a
conversion agent in the Borough


                                       51
<PAGE>   54

of Manhattan, The City of New York, New York. The Company will cause notice of
any registration, termination or appointment of the Trustee or any paying agent,
transfer agent or conversion agent, and of any change of the office through
which any such agent will act, to be provided to holders of the Notes.

           The following description of the operations and procedures of DTC is
provided solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are
solely within the control of the respective settlement systems and are subject
to changes by them from time to time. The Company takes no responsibility for
these operations and procedures and urges investors to contact the system or
their participants directly to discuss these matters.

           DTC has advised the Company as follows: DTC is a limited purpose
trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a member of the
Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the
Uniform Commercial Code, as amended, and a "Clearing Agency" registered pursuant
to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold
securities for its participating organizations (collectively, "participants")
and facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between
participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its
participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical transfer and delivery of
certificates. Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust
companies and clearing corporations and may include certain other organizations.
Indirect access to the DTC system is available to other entities such as banks,
brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial
relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly ("indirect
participants").

           Upon the issuance of the Restricted Global Note, DTC credited, on its
internal system, the respective principal amount of the individual beneficial
interests represented by such Global Note to the accounts of DTC participants or
persons who hold interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial
interests in the Global Notes will be shown on, and the transfer of that
ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its
nominee (with respect to interests of participants) or by the participants and
the indirect participants (with respect to other owners of beneficial interests
in the Global Notes).

           As long as DTC, or its nominee, is the registered Holder of a Global
Note, DTC or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner
and Holder of the Notes represented by such Global Note for all purposes under
the Indenture and the Notes. Unless DTC notifies the Company that it is
unwilling or unable to continue as depository for a Global Note, or ceases to be
a "Clearing Agency" registered under the Exchange Act, or announces an intention
permanently to cease business or does in fact do so, or an Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing with respect to a Global Note, owners of beneficial
interests in a Global Note will not be entitled to have any portions of such
Global Note registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to
receive physical delivery of Notes in definitive form and will not be considered
the owners or Holders of the Global Note (or any Notes presented thereby) under
the Indenture or the Notes. In addition, no beneficial owner of an interest in a
Global Note will be able to transfer that interest except in accordance with
DTC's applicable procedures (in addition to those under the Indenture referred
to herein). In the event that owners of beneficial interests in a Global Note
become entitled to receive Notes in definitive form, such Notes will be issued
only in registered form in denominations of U.S. $1,000 and integral multiples
thereof.

           Except as described above and under "Certificated Notes," owners of
interests in Global Notes will not have Notes registered in their names, will
not receive physical delivery of Notes in certificated form and will not be
considered the registered owners or holders thereof under the Indenture for any
purpose.

           Payments of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on Global
Notes will be made to DTC or its nominee as the registered owner thereof. The
Company expects that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of
principal or interest in respect of a Global Note representing any Notes held by
it or its nominee, will immediately credit participants' accounts with payment
in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the
principal amount of such Global Notes for such Notes as shown on the records of
DTC or its nominee. The Company also expects that payments by participants to
owners of beneficial interests in such Global Notes held through such
participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices,
as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered
in "street name." Such payments will be the responsibility of such participants.
Neither the Company, the Trustee nor any of their respective agents will have
any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or
payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the Global Notes
or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such
beneficial ownership interests.

           Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes between
participants will be effected in accordance with DTC's procedures and will trade
in DTC's Same-Day Funds Settlement System, and secondary market trading activity
in such interests will therefore settle in immediately available funds.




                                       52
<PAGE>   55

           DTC has advised the Company that it will take any action permitted to
be taken by a holder of Notes (including the presentation of Notes for exchange
as described below) only at the direction of one or more participants to whose
account with DTC interests in the Global Notes are credited and only in respect
of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes as to which such
participant or participants has or have given such direction. However, if there
is an Event of Default (as defined below) under the Notes, DTC reserves the
right to exchange the Global Notes for Notes in certificated form, and to
distribute such Notes to its participants.

           Although DTC has agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to
facilitate transfers of beneficial ownership interests in the Global Notes among
participants of DTC, it is under no obligation to perform or continue to perform
such procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. None of
the Company, the Trustee nor any of their respective agents will have any
responsibility for the performance by DTC, its participants or indirect
participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures
governing their operations, including maintaining, supervising or reviewing the
records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership
interests in Global Notes.

CERTIFICATED NOTES

           If DTC is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as a depositary
for the reasons set forth above under "Form and Denomination," the Company will
issue certificates for the Notes in definitive, fully registered, nonglobal form
without interest coupons in exchange for the Restricted Global Note.

           The holder of a Note in non-global form may transfer such Note by
surrendering it at the office or agency maintained by the Company for such
purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, which initially will
be the office of the Trustee. Notwithstanding any statement herein, the Company
and the Trustee reserve the right to impose such transfer, certification,
exchange or other requirements, and to require such restrictive legends on
certificates evidencing Notes, as they may determine are necessary to ensure
compliance with the securities laws of the United States and the States therein
and any other applicable laws, to ensure that any amendment to the Shelf
Registration Statement covering the Notes and the Common Stock is declared
effective by the Commission or as DTC may require.

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

           The holders of the Notes and the Common Stock issuable upon
conversion thereof are entitled to the benefits of a Registration Rights
Agreement dated as of June 26, 1998 between the Company and the Initial
Purchasers (the "Registration Rights Agreement"). Pursuant to the Registration
Rights Agreement, the Company has agreed for the benefit of the holders from
time to time of the Notes and the Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof
that it will, at its expense , use its best efforts to maintain this Shelf
Registration Statement continuously effective under the Securities Act until the
second annual anniversary of the date of the effectiveness of the Shelf
Registration Statement or such earlier date as is provided in the Registration
Rights Agreement.

           If on or prior to December 23, 1998, such Shelf Registration
Statement is not declared effective (each, a "Registration Default"), additional
interest ("Liquidated Damages") will accrue on the Notes from and including the
day following such Registration Default to but excluding the day on which such
Registration Default has been cured. Liquidated Damages will be paid
semi-annually in arrears, with the first semi-annual payment due on the first
Interest Payment Date in respect of the Notes following the date on which such
Liquidated Damages begin to accrue, and will accrue at a rate per annum equal to
an additional one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) of the principal amount of the
Notes to and including the 90th day following such Registration Default and at a
rate per annum equal to one-half of one percent (0.50%) thereof from and after
the 91st day following such Registration Default. In the event that the Shelf
Registration Statement ceases to be effective prior to the second annual
anniversary of the initial effective date of the Shelf Registration Statement or
such earlier date as is provided in the Registration Rights Agreement for a
period in excess of 60 days, whether or not consecutive, during any 12-month
period, then the interest rate borne by the Notes shall increase by an
additional one-half of one percent (0.50%) per annum on the 61st day of the
applicable 12-month period such Shelf Registration Statement ceases to be
effective to but excluding the day on which the Shelf Registration Statement
again becomes effective.

           A holder who elects to sell any Registrable Securities pursuant to
the Shelf Registration Statement will be required to be named as a selling
security holder in the related prospectus, may be required to deliver a
prospectus to purchasers, may be subject to certain civil liability provisions
under the Securities Act in connection with such sales and will be bound by the
provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement which are applicable to a holder
making such election (including certain indemnification provisions).



                                       53
<PAGE>   56

CONVERSION RIGHTS

           The Holder of any Note will have the right, at the Holder's option,
to convert any portion of the principal amount of a Note that is an integral
multiple of $1,000 into shares of Common Stock at any time on or after September
21, 1998 and prior to the close of business on the maturity date, unless
previously redeemed or repurchased, at a conversion rate of 36.9720 shares of
Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes (the "Conversion Rate")
(equivalent to a conversion price of $27.0475 per share of Common Stock),
subject to adjustment as described below. The right to convert a Note called for
redemption or delivered for repurchase will terminate at the close of business
on the Redemption Date or Repurchase Date for such Note.

           The right of conversion attaching to any Note may be exercised by the
Holder by delivering the Note at the specified office of the Conversion Agent,
accompanied by a duly signed and completed notice of conversion, a copy of which
may be obtained from the Trustee. The conversion date will be the date on which
the Note and the duly signed and completed notice of conversion are so
delivered. As promptly as practicable on or after the conversion date, the
Company will issue and deliver to the Trustee a certificate or certificates for
the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion, together
with payment in lieu of any fraction of a share or, at the Company's option,
rounded up to the next whole number of shares; such certificate will be sent by
the Trustee to the Conversion Agent (if other than the Trustee) for delivery to
the Holder. Such shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes,
in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture, will be fully paid and
nonassessable and will rank pari passu with the other shares of Common Stock of
the Company outstanding from time to time. Any Note surrendered for conversion
during the period from the close of business on any Regular Record Date to the
opening of business on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date (except Notes
called for redemption on a Redemption Date or to be repurchased on a Repurchase
Date during, in each case, such period) must be accompanied by payment of an
amount equal to the interest payable on such Interest Payment Date on the
principal amount of such Notes being surrendered for conversion, and the
interest payable on such Interest Payment Date in respect of such Note shall be
paid to the Holder of such Note as of the Regular Record Date. The interest
payable on such Interest Payment Date with respect to any Note which has been
called for redemption on a Redemption Date, or is repurchaseable on a Repurchase
Date, occurring, in either case, during the period referred to in the
parenthetical in the immediately preceding sentence, which Note is surrendered
for conversion during such period, shall be paid to the Holder of such Note
being converted in an amount equal to the interest that would have been payable
on such Note if such Note had been converted as of the close of business on such
Interest Payment Date. Interest payable in respect of any Note surrendered for
conversion on or after an Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Holder of
such Note as of the next preceding Regular Record Date, notwithstanding the
exercise of the right of conversion.

           As a result of the foregoing provisions, Holders that surrender Notes
for conversion on a date that is not an Interest Payment Date will not receive
any interest for the period from the Interest Payment Date next preceding the
date of conversion to the date of conversion or for any later period, even if
the Notes are surrendered after a notice of redemption (except for the payment
of interest on Notes called for redemption on a Redemption Date or to be
repurchased on a Repurchase Date between a Regular Record Date and the Interest
Payment Date to which it relates). No other payment or adjustment for interest,
or for any dividends in respect of Common Stock, will be made upon conversion.
Holders of Common Stock issued upon conversion will not be entitled to receive
any dividends payable to holders of Common Stock as of any record time before
the close of business on the conversion date. No fractional shares will be
issued upon conversion but, in lieu thereof, the Company will calculate an
appropriate amount to be paid in cash on the basis set forth in the Indenture
or, at its option, round up to the next whole number of shares.

           A Holder delivering a Note for conversion will not be required to pay
any taxes or duties in respect of the issue or delivery of Common Stock on
conversion but will be required to pay any tax or duty which may be payable in
respect of any transfer involved in the issue or delivery of the Common Stock in
a name other than that of the Holder of the Note. Certificates representing
shares of Common Stock will not be issued or delivered unless the person
requesting such issue has paid to the Company the amount of any such tax or duty
or has established to the satisfaction of the Company that such tax or duty has
been paid.

           The Conversion Rate is subject to adjustment in certain events,
including, without duplication: (a) dividends (and other distributions) payable
in Common Stock on shares of capital stock of the Company, (b) the issuance to
all holders of Common Stock of rights, options or warrants entitling them to
subscribe for or purchase Common Stock at less than the then current market
price of such Common Stock (determined as provided in the Indenture) as of the
record date for shareholders entitled to receive such rights, options or
warrants, (c) subdivisions, combinations and reclassifications of Common Stock,
(d) distributions to all holders of Common Stock of evidences of indebtedness of
the Company, shares of capital stock, cash or assets (including securities, but
excluding those dividends, rights, options, warrants and distributions referred
to above, dividends and distributions paid exclusively in cash and in mergers
and consolidations to which the second succeeding paragraph applies), (e)
distributions consisting exclusively of cash (excluding any cash portion of
distributions referred to in (d) above or cash distributed upon a



                                       54
<PAGE>   57

merger or consolidation to which the next succeeding paragraph applies) to all
holders of Common Stock in an aggregate amount that, combined together with (i)
other such all-cash distributions made within the preceding 12 months in respect
of which no adjustment has been made and (ii) any cash and the fair market value
of other consideration payable in respect of any tender offer by the Company or
any of its subsidiaries for Common Stock concluded within the preceding 12
months in respect of which no adjustment has been made exceeds 10% of the
Company's market capitalization (being the product of the then current market
price (determined as provided in the Indenture) per share of the Common Stock
and the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding) on the record date
for such distribution, and (f) the successful completion of a tender offer made
by the Company or any of its subsidiaries for Common Stock which involves an
aggregate consideration that, together with (i) any cash and other consideration
payable in a tender offer by the Company or any of its subsidiaries for Common
Stock expiring within the 12 months preceding the expiration of such tender
offer in respect of which no adjustment has been made and (ii) the aggregate
amount of any such all-cash distributions referred to in (e) above to all
holders of Common Stock within the 12 months preceding the expiration of such
tender offer in respect of which no adjustments have been made, exceeds 10% of
the Company's market capitalization on the expiration of such tender offer. The
Company reserves the right to make such increases in the Conversion Rate in
addition to those required in the foregoing provisions as it considers to be
advisable in order that any event treated for federal income tax purposes as a
dividend or distribution of stock or issuance of rights or warrants to purchase
or subscribe for stock will not be taxable to the recipients. No adjustment of
the Conversion Rate will be required to be made until the cumulative adjustments
amount to 1.0% or more of the Conversion Rate. The Company shall compute any
adjustments to the Conversion Rate pursuant to this paragraph and will give
notice to the Holders of the Notes of any adjustments.

           In case of any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into
another Person or any merger of another Person into the Company (other than a
merger which does not result in any reclassification, conversion, exchange or
cancellation of the Common Stock), or in case of any sale or transfer of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, each Note then outstanding will,
without the consent of the Holder of any Note, become convertible only into the
kind and amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such
consolidation, merger, sale or transfer by a holder of the number of shares of
Common Stock into which such Note was convertible immediately prior thereto
(assuming such holder of Common Stock failed to exercise any rights of election
and that such Note was then convertible).

           The Company from time to time may increase the Conversion Rate by any
amount for any period of at least 20 days, in which case the Company shall give
at least 15 days' notice of such increase, if the Board of Directors has made a
determination that such increase would be in the best interests of the Company,
which determination shall be conclusive. No such increase shall be taken into
account for purposes of determining whether the closing price of the Common
Stock exceeds the Conversion Price by 105% in connection with an event which
otherwise would be a Change of Control.

           If at any time the Company makes a distribution of property to its
stockholders which would be taxable to such stockholders as a dividend for
federal income tax purposes (e.g., distributions of evidences of indebtedness or
assets of the Company, but generally not stock dividends on Common Stock or
rights to subscribe for Common Stock) and, pursuant to the anti-dilution
provisions of the Indenture, the number of shares into which Notes are
convertible is increased, such increase may be deemed for federal income tax
purposes to be the payment of a taxable dividend to Holders of Notes. See
"Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations."

SUBORDINATION

           The payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on
(including any amounts payable upon the redemption or repurchase of the Notes
permitted by the Indenture) the Notes will be subordinated in right of payment,
to the extent set forth in the Indenture, to the prior payment in full of the
principal of, premium, if any, interest and other amounts in respect of all
Senior Debt of the Company. The Notes also are effectively subordinated in right
of payment to all indebtedness and other liabilities of the Company's
subsidiaries. As of June 30, 1998, the Company and its subsidiaries had
approximately $2.9 million of long-term debt and capital lease obligations to
which the Notes were subordinated in right of payment.

           Senior Debt is defined in the Indenture to mean the principal of (and
premium, if any) and interest (including all interest accruing subsequent to the
commencement of any bankruptcy or similar proceeding, whether or not a claim for
post-petition interest is allowable as a claim in any such proceeding) on, and
all fees and other amounts payable in connection with, the following, whether
direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, secured or unsecured, due or to
become due, outstanding on the date of the Indenture or thereafter created,
incurred or assumed: (a) indebtedness of the Company for money borrowed or
evidenced by credit or loan agreement, bonds, debentures, notes or similar
instruments, (b) all obligations of the Company evidenced by a note or similar
instrument or written agreement given in connection with the acquisition of any
businesses, properties or assets, including securities, (c) obligations of the
Company as lessee under leases capitalized on the balance sheet of the lessee
under generally accepted accounting principles, (d) obligations of the Company
under interest rate and currency swaps, caps, floors,


                                       55
<PAGE>   58

collars, hedge agreements, forward contracts, or similar agreements or
arrangements intended to protect the Company against fluctuations in interest or
currency exchange rates or commodity prices, (e) all reimbursement obligations
of the Company with respect to letters of credit, bankers' acceptances or
similar facilities issued for the account of the Company, (f) indebtedness of
others of the kinds described in the preceding clauses (a), (b), (c), (d) and
(e) that the Company has assumed, guaranteed or otherwise assured the payment
thereof, directly or indirectly, and/or (g) deferrals, renewals, extensions and
refundings of, or bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness
issued in exchange for, or amendments, modifications or supplements to, or
covenants and other obligations of the Company in connection with, the
indebtedness described in the preceding clauses (a) through (f) whether or not
there is any notice to or consent of the Holders of Notes; except (i)
indebtedness and advances among the Company and its direct and indirect
subsidiaries; and (ii) any particular indebtedness, deferral, renewal, extension
or refunding, if it is expressly stated in the governing terms or in the
assumption thereof that the indebtedness involved is not Senior Debt.

           No payment on account of principal, premium if any, or interest on
the Notes may be made if there shall have occurred (i) a default in the payment
of the principal of, premium, if any, interest (including a default under any
repurchase or redemption obligation) with respect to any Senior Debt or (ii) any
other event of default with respect to any Senior Debt, permitting the holders
thereof to accelerate the maturity thereof, and such event of default shall not
have been cured or waived or shall not have ceased to exist after written notice
of such event of default shall have been given to the Company and the Trustee by
any holder of Senior Debt. Upon the acceleration of the principal due on the
Notes or payment or distribution of assets of the Company to creditors upon any
dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, whether voluntary or
involuntary, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings,
all principal, premium, if any and interest due on all Senior Debt must be paid
in full before the Holders of the Notes are entitled to receive any payment. By
reason of such subordination, in the event of insolvency, creditors of the
Company who are holders of Senior Debt may recover more, ratably, than the
Holders of the Notes, and such subordination may result in a reduction or
elimination of payments to the Holders of the Notes.

           The Indenture does not limit the Company's ability to incur Senior
Debt or any other indebtedness or the ability of any subsidiary of the Company
to incur any indebtedness or other liabilities.

OPTIONAL REDEMPTION

           The Notes may not be redeemed prior to June 15, 2001. Thereafter, the
Notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, upon
not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice as provided under "Notices"
below, at the redemption prices set forth below. Such redemption prices
(expressed as a percentage of principal amount) are as follows for the 12-month
period beginning on June 15 of the following years:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Redemption
YEAR                                               Price
- ----                                               -----
<S>                                             <C> 
2001.........................................       102%
2002.........................................       101
</TABLE>

in each case together with accrued interest to the date of redemption.

           No sinking fund is provided for the Notes.

REPURCHASE AT OPTION OF HOLDERS UPON A CHANGE OF CONTROL

           If a Change of Control (as defined) occurs, each Holder of Notes
shall have the right, at the Holder's option, to require the Company to
repurchase all of such Holder's Notes, or any portion of the principal amount
thereof that is equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess
thereof, on the date (the "Repurchase Date") that is 45 days after the date of
the Company Notice (as defined), at a price equal to 100% of the principal
amount of the Notes to be repurchased, together with interest accrued to the
Repurchase Date (the "Repurchase Price").

     Within 30 days after the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company is
obligated to give to all Holders of the Notes notice, as provided in the
Indenture (the "Company Notice"), of the occurrence of such Change of Control
and of the repurchase right arising as a result thereof. The Company must also
deliver a copy of the Company Notice to the Trustee. To exercise the repurchase
right, a Holder of Notes must deliver on or before the 30th day after the date
of the Company Notice irrevocable written notice to the Trustee of the Holder's
exercise of such right, together with the Notes with respect to which the right
is being exercised.



                                       56
<PAGE>   59

           A Change of Control shall be deemed to have occurred at such time
after the original issuance of the Notes as there shall occur:

          (i) the acquisition by any Person (including any syndicate or group
     deemed to be a "person" under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) of
     beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, through a purchase, merger or
     other acquisition transaction or series of transactions, of shares of
     capital stock of the Company entitling such Person to exercise 50% or more
     of the total voting power of all shares of capital stock of the Company
     entitled to vote generally in elections of directors, other than any such
     acquisition by the Company, any subsidiary of the Company or any employee
     benefit plan of the Company; or

          (ii) any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company
     into, any other Person, any merger of another Person into the Company, or
     any conveyance, sale, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the
     assets of the Company to another Person (other than (a) any such
     transaction (x) which does not result in any reclassification, conversion,
     exchange or cancellation of outstanding shares of capital stock of the
     Company and (y) pursuant to which the holders of the Common Stock
     immediately prior to such transaction are entitled to exercise, directly or
     indirectly, 50% or more of the total voting power of all shares of capital
     stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the
     continuing or surviving corporation immediately after such transaction and
     (b) any merger which is effected solely to change the jurisdiction of
     incorporation of the Company and results in a reclassification, conversion
     or exchange of outstanding shares of Common Stock solely into shares of
     common stock; provided, however, that a Change of Control shall not be
     deemed to have occurred if the last reported sale price per share of the
     Common Stock for any five Trading Days within the period of 10 consecutive
     Trading Days ending immediately after the later of the Change of Control or
     the public announcement of the Change of Control (in the case of a Change
     of Control under clause (a) above) or ending immediately before the Change
     of Control (in the case of a Change of Control under clause (b) above)
     shall equal or exceed 105% of the Conversion Price of the Notes in effect
     on each such Trading Day. "Beneficial owner" shall be determined in
     accordance with Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the Commission under the Exchange
     Act, as in effect on the date of original execution of the Indenture.

           The Company's ability to repurchase Notes upon the occurrence of a
Change of Control is subject to limitations. There can be no assurance that the
Company would have the financial resources or be able to arrange financing on
acceptable terms to pay the Repurchase Price for all the Notes as to which the
purchase right is exercised. Further, any repurchase in connection with a Change
of Control could, depending on the circumstances and absent a waiver from the
holders of Senior Debt, be blocked by the subordination provisions of the Notes.
See "Subordination." The Agreements relating to the Company's current Senior
Debt would limit the Company's ability to repurchase the Notes. Failure by the
Company to repurchase the Notes when required may result in an Event of Default
with respect to the Notes (and with respect to Senior Debt) whether or not such
repurchase is permitted by the subordination provisions. See "-- Events of
Default" and "Risk Factors -- Repurchase of Notes at the Option of Holders Upon
a Change of Control; Availability of Funds."

           Rule 13e-4 under the Exchange Act requires the dissemination of
certain information to security holders in the event of an issuer tender offer
and may apply in the event that the repurchase option becomes available to
Holders of the Notes. The Company will comply with this rule to the extent
applicable at that time.

           The foregoing provisions would not necessarily afford Holders of the
Notes protection in the event of highly leveraged or other transactions
involving the Company that may adversely affect Holders.

MERGERS AND SALES OF ASSETS BY THE COMPANY

           The Company may not consolidate with or merge into any other Person
or, directly or indirectly, convey, transfer, sell, lease or otherwise dispose
of its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person (other
than a conveyance, sale, transfer or lease to a wholly-owned subsidiary), and
the Company may not permit any Person (other than a wholly-owned subsidiary) to
consolidate with or merge into the Company or convey, transfer, lease or
otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to the Company, unless (a) the Person formed by
such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person to which
the properties and assets of the Company are so conveyed, transferred sold or
leased is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or trust
organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or
the District of Columbia and has expressly assumed the due and punctual payment
of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes and the
performance of the other covenants of the Company under the Indenture, (b)
immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no
event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of
Default, shall have occurred and be continuing, and (c) the Company has provided
to the Trustee an Officer's Certificate and Opinion of Counsel if required by
the Indenture.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT



                                       57
<PAGE>   60

           The following will be Events of Default under the Indenture: (a)
failure to pay principal or Redemption Price of any Note when due, whether or
not such payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions of the Indenture;
(b) failure to pay any interest (including Liquidated Damages) on any Note when
due, continuing for 30 days, whether or not such payment is prohibited by the
subordination provisions of the Indenture; (c) failure to provide a Company
Notice in the event of a Change of Control; (d) failure to perform any other
covenant or warranty of the Company in the Indenture, continuing for 60 days
after written notice as provided in the Indenture; (e) any indebtedness for
money borrowed by the Company in an aggregate principal amount in excess of
$5,000,000 is not paid at final maturity or the payment thereof is accelerated
and such default in payment or acceleration is not cured or rescinded within 30
days after written notice as provided in the Indenture; and (f) certain events
of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization. Subject to the provisions of the
Indenture relating to the duties of the Trustee in case an Event of Default
shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation to
exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or
direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders shall have offered to the
Trustee reasonable indemnity. Subject to such provisions for the indemnification
of the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Notes will have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising
any trust or power conferred on the Trustee.

           If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in
subsections (a), (b), and (f) above) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee
shall, at the written request of the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate
principal amount of the Outstanding Notes, by notice in writing to the Company,
declare the principal of all the Notes to be due and payable immediately, and
upon any such declaration such principal and any accrued interest and any unpaid
Liquidated Damages thereon will become immediately due and payable. If an Event
of Default specified in subsections (a) or (b) occurs and is continuing, the
holder of any Outstanding Note may, by notice in writing to the Company (with a
copy to the Trustee), declare the principal of such Note to be due and payable
immediately, and upon any such declaration such principal and (subject to the
Indenture) any accrued interest and Liquidated Damages thereon will become
immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in subsection (f)
occurs and is continuing, the principal and any accrued interest, together with
any Liquidated Damages thereon, on all of the then Outstanding Notes shall ipso
facto become due and payable immediately without any declaration or other Act on
the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

           At any time after a declaration of acceleration has been made but
before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Notes may, under certain
circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all Events of Default,
other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal and interest, have been cured
or waived as provided in the Indenture.

           No Holder of any Note will have any right to institute any proceeding
with respect to the Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, unless such Holder
shall have previously given to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event
of Default and unless also the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal
amount of the Outstanding Notes shall have made written request, and offered
reasonable indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee,
and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes a direction inconsistent
with such request and shall have failed to institute such proceeding within 60
days. However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a Holder of
a Note for the enforcement of payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or
interest on such Note on or after the respective due dates expressed in such
Note or of the right to convert such Note in accordance with the Indenture.

           The Company will be required to furnish to the Trustee annually a
statement as to the performance by the Company of certain of its obligations
under the Indenture and as to any default in such performance.

MEETINGS, MODIFICATION AND WAIVER

           The Indenture contains provisions for convening meetings of the
Holders of Notes to consider matters affecting their interests.

           Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made, and
certain past defaults by the Company may be waived, (i) with the written consent
of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Notes at the time Outstanding or (ii) by the adoption of a Resolution, at a
meeting of Holders of the Notes at which a quorum is present, by the Holders of
at least 66% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes represented
at such meeting. However, no such modification or amendment may, without the
consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected thereby, (a) change the
Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest on, any
Note, (b) reduce the principal amount of, or the premium, if any, or rate of
interest on, any Note, (c) reduce the amount payable upon redemption or
repurchase, (d) modify the provisions with respect to the repurchase right of
the Holders in a manner adverse to the Holders, (e) change the place or currency
of



                                       58
<PAGE>   61

payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Note (including
any payment of any Liquidated Damages or the Repurchase Price in respect of such
Note), (f) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment
on or with respect to any Note, (g) modify the obligation of the Company to
maintain an office or agency in New York City, (h) except as otherwise permitted
by the Indenture or contemplated by provisions concerning consolidation, merger,
conveyance, transfer, sale or lease of all or substantially all of the property
and assets of the Company, adversely affect the right of Holders to convert any
of the Notes or to require the Company to repurchase any Note other than as
provided in the Indenture, (i) modify the subordination provisions in a manner
adverse to the Holders of the Notes, (j) reduce the above-stated percentage of
Outstanding Notes necessary to modify or amend the Indenture, (k) reduce the
percentage of aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Notes necessary for
waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of
certain defaults, (1) reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of
Notes Outstanding required for the adoption of a Resolution or the quorum
required at any meeting of Holders of Notes at which a Resolution is adopted, or
(m) modify the obligation of the Company to deliver information required under
Rule 144A to permit resales of Notes and Common Stock issuable upon conversion
thereof in the event the Company ceases to be subject to certain reporting
requirements under the United States securities laws. The quorum at any meeting
called to adopt a Resolution will be persons holding or representing a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time Outstanding and, at any
reconvened meeting adjourned for lack of quorum, 25% of such aggregate principal
amount.

           The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Notes may waive compliance by the Company with certain restrictive
provisions of the Indenture. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Outstanding Notes also may waive any past default under the
Indenture, except a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or
interest.

TRANSFER, EXCHANGE AND WITHDRAWAL

           The Company has initially appointed the Trustee as security registrar
and transfer agent, acting through its Corporate Trust Office in New York City.
The Company reserves the right to vary or terminate the appointment of the
security registrar or of any transfer agent or to appoint additional or other
transfer agents or to approve any Change of the office through which any
security registrar or any transfer agent acts.

           In the event of a redemption of the Notes for any of the reasons set
forth below under "Redemption", the Company will not be required (a) to register
the transfer or exchange of Notes for a period of 15 days immediately preceding
the date notice is given identifying the serial numbers of the Notes called for
such redemption or (b) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered
Note, or portion thereof, called for redemption.

PURCHASE AND CANCELLATION

           The Company or any subsidiary may at any time and from time to time
purchase Notes at any price in the open market or otherwise.

     All Notes surrendered for payment, redemption, repurchase, registration of
transfer or exchange or conversion shall, if surrendered to any Person other
than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee. All Notes so delivered to the
Trustee shall be canceled promptly by the Trustee. No Notes shall be
authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Notes canceled as provided in
the Indenture. Unless otherwise requested by the Company and confirmed in
writing, the Trustee shall, from time to time but not less than once annually,
destroy all canceled Notes and deliver to the Company a certificate of
destruction, which certificate shall specify the number, principal amount and,
in the case of Notes the form of each canceled Note so destroyed.

TITLE

           The Company and the Trustee may treat the registered owner (as
reflected in the Security Register) of any Note as the absolute owner thereof
(whether or not such Note shall be overdue) for the purpose of making payment
and for all other purposes.

NOTICES

           Notice to Holders of the Notes will be given by mail to the addresses
of such Holders as they appear in the Security Register. Such notices will be
deemed to have been given on the date of the first such publication or on the
date of such mailing, as the case may be.



                                       59
<PAGE>   62

     Notice of a redemption of Notes will be given at least once not less than
30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date (which notice shall be
irrevocable) and will specify the redemption date.

REPLACEMENT OF NOTES

           Notes that become mutilated, destroyed, stolen or lost will be
replaced by the Company at the expense of the Holder upon delivery to the
Trustee of the mutilated Notes or evidence of the loss, theft or destruction
thereof satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee. In the case of a lost,
stolen or destroyed Note, indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee and the Company
may be required at the expense of the Holder of such Note before a replacement
Note will be issued.

PAYMENT OF STAMP AND OTHER TAXES

           The Company shall pay all stamp and other duties, if any, which may
be imposed by the United States or United Kingdom or any political subdivision
thereof or taxing authority thereof or therein with respect to the issuance of
the Notes. The Company will not be required to make any payment with respect to
any other tax, assessment or governmental charge imposed by any government or
any political subdivision thereof or taxing authority therein.

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

           The Company may discharge its payment obligations under the Indenture
while Notes remain outstanding if (a) all outstanding Notes have become due and
payable or will become due and payable at their scheduled maturity within one
year, (b) all outstanding Notes are scheduled for redemption within one year or
(c) all outstanding Notes are delivered to the Trustee for conversion in
accordance with the Indenture and in the case of (a) or (b) above, the Company
has deposited with the Trustee an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the
entire indebtedness on all outstanding Notes on the date of their scheduled
maturity or the scheduled date of redemption.

GOVERNING LAW

           The Indenture and the Notes will be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

THE TRUSTEE

           In case an Event of Default shall occur (and shall not be cured), the
Trustee will be required to use the degree of care of a prudent person in the
conduct of his own affairs in the exercise of its powers. Subject to such
provisions, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its
rights or powers under the Indenture at the request of any of the Holders of
Notes, unless they shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or
indemnity.



                                       60
<PAGE>   63

                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK

           The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 40,000,000
shares of Common Stock and 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock. As of July 31,
1998, there were 26,592,883 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

COMMON STOCK

           The holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all
matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Holders of Common Stock also are
entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be declared by the Board of
Directors out of funds legally available therefore, subject to preferences that
may be applicable to any outstanding Preferred Stock. In the event of
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders of Common Stock
are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of
liabilities and the liquidation preference of any outstanding Preferred Stock.
Holders of Common Stock have no preemptive, subscription, redemption, conversion
or cumulative voting rights. All the outstanding shares of Common Stock are, and
the shares of Common Stock offered by this Prospectus will be, when issued and
paid for, validly authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

PREFERRED STOCK

           Pursuant to the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of
Directors has the authority to issue 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock in one
or more series and to fix the powers, designations, preferences, and relative,
participating, optional, or other rights thereof, including dividend rights,
conversion rights, voting rights, redemption terms, liquidation preferences, and
the number of shares constituting any series, without any further vote or action
by the Company's stockholders. The issuance of Preferred Stock in certain
circumstances may have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing a change
of control of the Company without further action by the stockholders, may
discourage bids for the Common Stock at a premium over the market price of the
Common Stock, and may adversely affect the market price of, and the voting and
other rights of the holders of, the Common Stock. The Company has no shares of
Preferred Stock outstanding and has no plans to issue any such shares.

WARRANTS

           At July 31, 1998, excluding 100,000 warrants granted under the German
Employees Warrant Program (see "Management -- Stock Option Programs"), the
Company had outstanding warrants to purchase an aggregate of 2,931,978 shares of
Common Stock at exercise prices ranging from $4.25 to $35.00 and expiring from
January 1998 to July 2002.

TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR

           The Transfer Agent and Registrar of the Common Stock is American
Stock Transfer & Trust Co., New York, New York.



                                       61
<PAGE>   64

                    CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

           The following is a summary of certain United States federal income
and estate tax considerations relating to the purchase, ownership and
disposition of the Notes and of Common Stock into which Notes may be converted,
but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all the potential tax
considerations relating thereto. This summary is based on the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), existing temporary and currently proposed
Treasury Regulations thereunder, existing administrative interpretations and
practices of the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS"), and judicial decisions,
all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. This
summary deals only with holders that will hold Notes and Common Stock into which
Notes may be converted as "capital assets" (within the meaning of Section 1221
of the Code) and does not address tax considerations applicable to investors
that may be subject to special tax rules, such as banks, tax-exempt
organizations, insurance companies, dealers in securities or currencies, persons
that will hold Notes as a position in a hedging transaction, "straddle" or
"conversion transaction" for tax purposes, persons that have a "functional
currency" other than the U.S. dollar. This summary discusses the tax
considerations applicable to an initial purchaser of the Notes or investors in
pass-through entities who purchase the Notes at their "issue price" as defined
in Section 1273 of the Code and does not discuss the tax considerations
applicable to subsequent purchasers of the Notes. The Company has not sought any
ruling from the IRS with respect to the statements made and the conclusions
reached in the following summary, and there can be no assurance that the IRS
will agree with such statements and conclusions.

           INVESTORS CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF NOTES SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN
TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME
AND ESTATE TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS WELL AS ANY TAX
CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAXING
JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATY.

                              UNITED STATES HOLDERS

           As used herein, the term "United States Holder" means the beneficial
owner of a Note or Common Stock that for United States federal income tax
purposes is (i) a citizen or resident (as defined in Section 7701(b)(1) of the
Code) of the United States, (ii) a corporation, partnership or other entity
created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States
or of any political subdivision thereof, or (iii) an estate or trust other than
a "foreign estate" or "foreign trust" as defined in Section 7701(a)(31) of the
Code.

PAYMENT OF INTEREST

           Interest on a Note will be includable in the income of a United
States Holder as ordinary income at the time such interest is received or
accrued, in accordance with such Holder's method of accounting for United States
federal income tax purposes.

SALE, EXCHANGE OR REDEMPTION OF THE NOTES

           Upon the sale, exchange or redemption of a Note, a United States
Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference
between (i) the amount of cash proceeds and the fair market value of any
property received on the sale, exchange or redemption (except to the extent such
amount is attributable to accrued interest income, which is taxable as ordinary
income) and (ii) such Holder's adjusted tax basis in the Note. A United States
Holder's adjusted tax basis in a Note generally will equal the cost of the Note
to such Holder, less any principal payments received by such Holder.

           The tax rate applicable to such a capital gain will depend, among
other things, upon the Holder's holding period for the Notes that are sold,
exchanged or redeemed. Generally, such capital gain or loss will be long-term if
the Note is held more than 18 months. The maximum tax rate on net long-term
gains is 20% for individuals trust and estates, (10% if the individual is in the
15% tax bracket) and 35% for corporations. For individuals, trusts, and estates,
if the Note is held more than 12 months, but less than 18 months, then such
capital gain or loss is mid-term, taxable at a maximum tax rate of 28% (15% if
an individual is in the 15% bracket). For individuals, trusts and estates, if
the Note is held for 12 months or less, than such capital gain is taxable at
ordinary income tax rates.

CONVERSION OF THE NOTES

           A United States Holder generally will not recognize any income, gain
or loss upon conversion of a Note into Common Stock except to the extent of
ordinary income recognized with respect to accrued and unpaid interest on the
Notes at that time. A Holder also will recognize capital gain or loss upon the
receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share of Common Stock equal to the
amount of cash received less the Holder's tax basis in such fractional share.
Such Holder's tax basis in the Common Stock



                                       62
<PAGE>   65

received on conversion of a Note will be the same as such Holder's adjusted tax
basis in the Note at the time of conversion (reduced by any basis allocable to a
fractional share interest), and the holding period for the Common Stock received
on conversion will generally include the holding period of the Note converted.

DIVIDENDS

           Distributions with respect to Common Stock generally will be
includable in the income of a United States Holder as ordinary income to the
extent of the Company's current or accumulated earnings and profits. To the
extent, if any, that a Holder receives a distribution with respect to Common
Stock that exceeds the Holder's allocable share of the Company's current and
accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will be treated as a non-taxable
return of capital which will reduce the Holder's tax basis in the Common Stock.
Any amount in excess of the Holder's basis will be treated as gain from the sale
or exchange of such Common Stock.

           In general, a dividend distribution to a corporate Holder will
qualify for a 70% dividends received deduction if the Holder owns less than 20%
of the voting power and value of the Company's stock (other than certain
non-voting, non-convertible, non-participating preferred stock). A corporate
Holder that owns 20% or more of the voting power and value of the Company's
stock (other than certain non-voting, non-convertible, non-participating
preferred stock) generally will qualify for an 80% dividends received deduction.
The dividends received deduction is subject, however, to certain holding period,
taxable income and other limitations.

SALE OF COMMON STOCK

           Upon the sale or exchange of Common Stock, a United States Holder
generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between
(i) the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property received upon
the sale or exchange and (ii) such Holder's adjusted tax basis in the Common
Stock. The tax rate applicable to such capital gain will depend, among other
things, upon the Holder's holding period for the shares of Common Stock that are
sold or exchanged. The impact of the holding period upon capital gains rates is
discussed under "-- Sales, Exchange or Redemption of the Notes." A United States
Holder's basis and holding period in Common Stock received upon conversion of a
Note are determined as discussed above under "Conversion of the Notes."

ADJUSTMENT OF CONVERSION PRICE

           Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 305 of the Code treat
Holders of the Notes as having received a constructive distribution from the
Company in the event that the conversion ratio of the Notes is adjusted if (i)
as a result of such adjustment, the proportionate interest (measured by the
quantum of Common Stock into or for which the Notes are convertible or
exchangeable) of the Holders of the Notes in the assets or earnings and profits
of the Company is increased, and (ii) the adjustment is not made pursuant to a
bona fide, reasonable anti-dilution formula. An adjustment in the conversion
ratio, as described in "Description of the Notes -- Conversion Rights," would
not be considered made pursuant to such formula if the adjustment was made to
compensate for certain taxable distributions with respect to the Common Stock.
Thus, under certain circumstances, a reduction in the conversion price for the
Holders may result in deemed dividend income to Holders to the extent of the
Company's current or accumulated earnings and profits.

INFORMATION REPORTING AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING TAX

           In general, information reporting requirements will apply to payments
of principal, premium, if any, and interest on a Note, payments of dividends on
Common Stock, payments of the proceeds of the sale of a Note and payments of the
proceeds of the sale of Common Stock to certain noncorporate United States
Holders, and a 31% backup withholding tax may apply to such payments if the
United States Holder (i) fails to furnish or certify his correct taxpayer
identification number to the payor in the manner required, (ii) is notified by
the IRS that he has failed to report payments of interest and dividends
properly, or (iii) under certain circumstances, fails to certify that he has not
been notified by the IRS that he is subject to backup withholding for failure to
report interest and dividend payments. Any amounts withheld under the backup
withholding rules from a payment to a United States Holder will be allowed as a
credit against such Holder's United States federal income tax and may entitle
the Holder to a refund, provided that the required information is furnished to
the IRS.

                            NON-UNITED STATES HOLDERS

           As used herein, the term "Non-United States Holder" means any
beneficial owner of a Note or Common Stock that is not a United States Holder.
The rules governing the United States federal income and estate taxation of a
Non-United States



                                       63
<PAGE>   66

Holder are complex and no attempt will be made herein to provide more than a
summary of such rules. NON-UNITED STATES HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN
TAX ADVISORS TO DETERMINE THE EFFECT OF FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX
LAWS WITH REGARD TO AN INVESTMENT IN THE NOTES AND COMMON STOCK, INCLUDING ANY
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

PAYMENT OF INTEREST

           Generally, payment of interest on a Note by the Company or any Paying
Agent to a Non-United States Holder will qualify for the "portfolio interest
exemption" and therefore will not be subject to United States federal income tax
or withholding tax, provided that such interest income is not effectively
connected with a United States trade or business of the Non-United States Holder
and provided that the Non-United States Holder (i) does not actually or
constructively own 10% or more of the combined voting power of all classes of
stock of the Company entitled to vote, (ii) is not a controlled foreign
corporation related to the Company actually or constructively through stock
ownership, (iii) is not a bank receiving interest on a loan entered into in the
ordinary course of business and (iv) either (a) provides a Form W-8 (or a
suitable substitute form) signed under penalties of perjury that includes its
name and address and certifies as to its non-United States status in compliance
with applicable law and regulations, or (b) a securities clearing organization,
bank or other financial institution that holds customers' securities in the
ordinary course of its trade or business holds the Note and provides a statement
to the Company or its agent under penalties of perjury in which it certifies
that such a Form W-8 (or a suitable substitute) has been received by it from the
Non-United States Holder or qualifying intermediary and furnishes the Company or
its agent with a copy thereof.

           Recently released Treasury Regulations provide alternative methods
for satisfying the certification requirements described in clause (iv) above.
The Treasury Regulations generally are effective for payments made after
December 31, 1999, subject to certain transition rules. Non-United States
Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the new Treasury
Regulations.

           Except to the extent that an applicable treaty otherwise provides, a
Non-United States Holder generally will be taxed in the same manner as a United
States Holder with respect to interest if the interest income is effectively
connected with a United States trade or business of the Non-United States
Holder. Effectively connected interest received by a corporate Non-United States
Holder may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional
"branch profits tax" at a 30% rate (or, if applicable, a lower treaty rate).
Even though such effectively connected interest is subject to income tax, and
may be subject to the branch profits tax, it is not subject to withholding tax
if the Holder delivers IRS Form 4224 to the payor.

           Interest income of a Non-United States Holder that is not effectively
connected with a United States trade or business and that does not qualify for
the portfolio interest exemption described above will generally be subject to a
withholding tax at a 30% rate (or, if applicable, a lower treaty rate).

SALE, EXCHANGE OR REDEMPTION OF THE NOTES

           A Non-United States Holder of a Note will generally not be subject to
United States federal income tax or withholding tax on any gain realized on the
sale, exchange or redemption of the Note (including the receipt of cash in lieu
of fractional shares upon conversion of a Note into Common Stock) unless (1) the
gain is effectively connected with a United States trade or business of the
Non-United States Holder, (2) in the case of a Non-United States Holder who is
an individual, such Holder is present in the United States for a period or
periods aggregating 183 days or more during the taxable year of the disposition,
and either such Holder has a "tax home" in the United States or the disposition
is attributable to an office or other fixed place of business maintained by such
Holder in the United States, (3) the Holder is subject to tax pursuant to the
provisions of the Code applicable to certain United States expatriates, or (4)
the Company is a United States real property holding corporation see discussion
under "-- United States Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act" below.

CONVERSION OF THE NOTES

           In general, no United States federal income tax or withholding tax
will be imposed upon the conversion of a Note into Common Stock by a Non-United
States Holder except with respect to the receipt of cash in lieu of fractional
shares by Non-United States Holders upon conversion of a Note where any of the
conditions described above under "Non-United States Holders -- Sale, Exchange or
Redemption of the Notes" is satisfied.



                                       64
<PAGE>   67

SALE OR EXCHANGE OF COMMON STOCK

           A Non-United States Holder generally will not be subject to United
States federal income tax or withholding tax on the sale or exchange of Common
Stock unless any of the conditions described above under "Non-United States
Holders -- Sale, Exchange or Redemption of the Notes" is satisfied.

DIVIDENDS

           Dividends paid (or deemed paid, as described above under "United
States Holders -- Dividends") on Common Stock to a Non-United States Holder
(excluding dividends that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade
or business in the United States by such Holder and are taxable as described
below) will be subject to United States federal withholding tax at a 30% rate
(or lower rate provided under any applicable income tax treaty). Except to the
extent that an applicable tax treaty otherwise provides, a Non-United States
Holder will be taxed in the same manner as a United States Holder on dividends
paid (or deemed paid) that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade
or business in the United States by the Non-United States Holder. If such
Non-United States Holder is a foreign corporation, it may also be subject to a
United States branch profits tax on such effectively connected income at a 30%
rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
Even though such effectively connected dividends are subject to income tax, and
may be subject to the branch profits tax, they will not be subject to U.S.
withholding tax if the Holder delivers IRS Form 4224 to the payor.

           Under currently applicable Treasury Regulations, dividends paid to an
address in a foreign country are presumed to be paid to a resident of that
country (unless the payor has knowledge to the contrary) for purposes of the
withholding discussed above and for purposes of determining the applicability of
a tax treaty rate. Under recently issued Treasury Regulations, however,
Non-United States Holders of Common Stock who wish to claim the benefit of an
applicable treaty rate would be required to satisfy certain certification
requirements. The new Treasury Regulations are generally effective for payments
made after December 31, 1999. Non-United States Holders are urged to consult
their own tax advisors regarding the new Treasury Regulations.

DEATH OF A NON-UNITED STATES HOLDER

           A Note held by an individual who is not a citizen or resident of the
United States at the time of death will not be includable in the decedent's
gross estate for United States estate tax purposes, provided that such Holder or
beneficial owner did not at the time of death actually or constructively own 10%
or more of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company
entitled to vote, and provided that, at the time of death, payments with respect
to such Note would not have been effectively connected with the conduct by such
Non-United States Holder of a trade or business within the United States.

           Common Stock actually or beneficially held (other than through a
foreign corporation) by a Non-United States Holder at the time of his or her
death (or previously transferred subject to certain retained rights or powers)
will be subject to United States federal estate tax unless otherwise provided by
an applicable estate tax treaty.

INFORMATION REPORTING AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING TAX

           United States information reporting requirements and backup
withholding tax will not apply to payments on a Note to a Non-United States
Holder if the statement described in "Non-United States Holders -- Payment of
Interest" is duly provided by such Holder, provided that the payor does not have
actual knowledge that the Holder is a United States person.

           Information reporting requirements and backup withholding tax will
not apply to any payment of the proceeds of the sale of a Note or any payment of
the proceeds of the sale of Common Stock effected outside the United States by a
foreign office of a "broker" (as defined in applicable Treasury Regulations),
unless such broker (i) is a United States person, (ii) derives 50% or more of
its gross income for certain periods from the conduct of a trade or business in
the United States or (iii) is a controlled foreign corporation as to the United
States. Payment of the proceeds of any such sale effected outside the United
States by a foreign office of any broker that is described in (i), (ii) or (iii)
of the preceding sentence will not be subject to backup withholding tax, but
will be subject to information reporting requirements unless such broker has
documentary evidence in its records that the beneficial owner is a Non-United
States Holder and certain other conditions are met, or the beneficial owner
otherwise establishes an exemption. Payment of the proceeds of any such sale to
or through the United States office of a broker is subject to information
reporting and backup withholding requirements, unless the beneficial owner of
the Note provides the statement described in "Non-United States Holders --
Payment of Interest" or otherwise establishes an exemption.



                                       65
<PAGE>   68

           Recently released Treasury Regulations make certain modifications to
the withholding, backup withholding and information reporting rules described
above. The new Treasury Regulations will generally be effective for payments
made after December 31, 1999, subject to certain transition rules. Prospective
investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the new Treasury
Regulations.

UNITED STATES FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN REAL PROPERTY TAX ACT

           Under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act ("FIRPTA"), any
person who acquires a "United States real property interest" (as described
below) from a foreign person must deduct and withhold a tax equal to 10% of the
amount realized by the foreign transferor. In addition, a foreign person who
disposes of a United States real property interest generally is required to
recognize gain or loss that is subject to United States federal income tax. A
"United States real property interest" generally includes any interest (other
than an interest solely as a creditor) in a United States corporation unless it
is established under specific procedures that the corporation is not (and was
not for the prior five-year period) a "United States real property holding
corporation". The Company does not believe that it is a United States real
property holding corporation as of the date hereof, although it has not
conducted or obtained an appraisal of its assets to determine whether it is now
or will be a United States real property holding corporation. Unless it is
established that the Company is not a United States real property holding
corporation, then, unless an exemption applies, both the Common Stock and the
Notes would be treated as United States real property interests. As discussed
below, however, an exemption should apply to the Common Stock and the Notes
except with respect to a Non-United States Holder whose beneficial ownership of
Common Stock or Notes exceeds 5% of the total fair market value of the Common
Stock.

     An interest in a United States corporation generally will not be treated as
a United States real property interest if, at any time during the calendar year,
any class of stock of the corporation is "regularly traded" on an established
securities market (the "regularly-traded exemption"). The Company believes that
the Company's Common Stock is regularly traded on an established securities
market within the meaning of the applicable regulations, although there can be
no assurance that the Common Stock will remain regularly traded. The remainder
of this discussion assumes that the Common Stock is and will remain regularly
traded on an established securities market.

     The regularly-traded exemption is not available to a regularly traded
interest (such as the Common Stock) if such interest is owned by a person who
beneficially owns (actually or constructively) more than 5% of the total fair
market value of that class of interests at any time during the five-year period
ending on the date of disposition of such interest or other applicable
determination date. Accordingly, except with respect to a sale or other
disposition of Common Stock by a Non-United States Holder whose aggregate
beneficial ownership has exceeded that 5% threshold, no withholding or income
taxation under the FIRPTA rules should be required with respect to the sale,
exchange or other disposition of Common Stock by a Non-United States Holder.

     The regularly-traded exemption will apply to a "non-regularly traded class
of interests" in a United States corporation that is convertible into a
regularly traded class of interests in the corporation unless, on the date such
non-regularly traded interest was acquired by its present holder, such interest
had a fair market value greater than the fair market value on that date of 5% of
the regularly traded class of the corporation's stock into which it is
convertible. (Interests of a irregularly traded class acquired over a period of
time will be aggregated and valued as of the date of the subsequent acquisition
for purposes of applying the 5% test described above.) Accordingly, except with
respect to the sale, exchange, conversion or redemption of the Notes by a
Non-United States Holder whose aggregate actual or constructive ownership of
such Notes on an applicable determination date had a fair market value greater
than 5% of the Common Stock, no withholding or income taxation under the FIRPTA
rules should be required with respect to the sale, exchange, conversion or
redemption of Notes by a Non-United States Holder. The foregoing discussion
assumes that the Notes constitute interests that are irregularly traded
interests convertible into a regularly traded class of interests. If the Notes
were to become regularly traded, the regularly-traded exemption might not apply
to Notes owned by a person who beneficially owns (actually or constructively)
more than 5% of the total fair market value of the Notes at any time during the
five year period ending on the date of disposition of the Notes or other
applicable determination date.

     Any investor that may approach or exceed any of the 5% ownership thresholds
discussed above, either alone or in conjunction with related persons, should
consult its own tax advisor concerning the United States tax consequences that
may result. A Non-United States Holder who sells or otherwise disposes of Notes
may be required to inform its transferee whether such Notes constitute a United
States real property interest.



                                       66
<PAGE>   69

                             SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS

           The Notes were originally issued by the Company in a private
placement on June 26, 1998 to Prudential Securities Incorporated and Bear
Stearns & Co. Inc. (the "Initial Purchasers"). The Notes were resold by the
Initial Purchasers, in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of
the Securities Act, in the United States to persons reasonably believed by the
Initial Purchaser to be "qualified institutional buyers" (as defined in Rule
144A under the Securities Act).

           The following table sets forth information, as of ____________, 1998,
with respect to the Selling Securityholders and the respective principal amount
of Notes and Common Stock beneficially owned by each Selling Securityholder that
may be offered pursuant to this Prospectus and the percentage of Common Stock
owned. Except as otherwise indicated, to the knowledge of the Company, all
persons listed below have sole voting and investment power with respect to their
securities. Such information has been obtained from the Selling Securityholders
and the Trustee. The term "Selling Securityholders" includes the holders listed
below and the beneficial owners of the Notes and their transferees, pledgees,
donees or other successors.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Principal Amount of Notes                 
                                       ----------------------------------------------------   
                                                                                              
                                                                                              
                                                                                              
              Name of                                                                         
      Selling Securityholders                   Owned                      Offered            
- -----------------------------------    ------------------------    ------------------------   
<S>                                    <C>                         <C>                        
Merrill Lynch                                        $5,500,000                  $5,500,000   
International Ltd
</TABLE>

[Additional Selling Securityholder information will be completed via amendment
to the Registration Statement prior to effectiveness]

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Common Stock
                                       ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Number of                 Number of
                                               Shares                    Shares               Percent
                                            Beneficially              Offered upon            of out-
              Name of                      Owned prior to            conversion of            standing
      Selling Securityholders              this Offering              the Notes(1)           shares(2)
- -----------------------------------    ----------------------     --------------------     --------------
<S>                                    <C>                        <C>                      <C>
Merrill Lynch                                         203,345                  203,345             *
International Ltd
</TABLE>

[Additional Selling Securityholder information will be completed via amendment
to the Registration Statement prior to effectiveness]

- -----------------
* Less than 1%.

(1)        Assumes conversion of the full amount of Notes held by such Selling
           Securityholder into Common Stock at the initial conversion price of
           $27.0475 per share. Except as otherwise indicated, also assumes that
           the Selling Securityholder or any future transferees, pledgees,
           donees or successors of or from such Selling Securityholder do not
           beneficially own any Common Stock other than the Common Stock
           issuable upon conversion of the Notes. The conversion price and the
           number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the
           Notes are subject to adjustment under certain circumstances.
           Accordingly, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon
           conversion of the Notes may increase or decrease from time to time.
           Under the terms of the Indenture, the Company will pay cash in lieu
           of issuing fractional shares upon conversion of the Notes. See
           "Description of Notes -- Conversion Rights."

(2)        Calculated based upon shares of Common Stock outstanding as of
           ____________, 1998. The percentages shown include the shares of
           Common Stock actually owned as of ______________, 1998 and the shares
           of Common Stock that the identified person had the right to acquire
           within 60 days of such date. In calculating the percentage of
           ownership, all shares of Common Stock that the identified person had
           the right to acquire within 60 days of ________, 1998 are deemed to
           be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of the
           shares of Common Stock owned by such person, but are not deemed to be
           outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of the shares
           of Common Stock owned by any other person.



                                       67
<PAGE>   70

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

           The Notes were originally issued by the Company in a private
placement. The Notes and Conversion Shares offered by this Prospectus may be
sold from time to time by the Selling Securityholders in one or more
transactions in the over-the- counter market, in negotiated transactions, or a
combination of such methods of sale, at market prices prevailing at the time of
sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated
prices. The Notes and Conversion Shares may be sold directly or through
broker-dealers, to whom Selling Securityholders may pay brokerage commissions
and charges. The sale of Notes and Conversion Shares may be effected as follows:
(a) in a block trade in which the broker or dealer so engaged will attempt to
sell the securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block
as principal to facilitate the transaction; (b) by a broker or dealer as
principal and resale by such broker or dealer for its own account pursuant to
this Prospectus; (c) in exchange distributions and/or secondary distributions;
(d) in ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker
solicits purchasers; and (e) in privately negotiated transactions.

           Pursuant to the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement
between the Company and the Initial Purchaser, the Company will pay the costs
and expenses incident to the registration and qualification of the Notes and
Conversion Shares offered by this Prospectus, including registration and filing
fees. In addition, the Company has agreed to indemnify the Selling
Securityholders against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under
the Securities Act.

             The Company believes that the holders of the Notes and/or
Conversion Shares are qualified institutional buyers within the meaning of Rule
144A of the Securities Act. Prior to any use of this Prospectus for the resale
of the Notes and Conversion Shares, this Prospectus will be amended or
supplemented, if necessary, to set forth the name of the Selling Securityholder,
the amount of the Notes and/or the number of Conversion Shares beneficially
owned by such Selling Securityholder, and the amount of the Notes and/or the
number of Conversion Shares to be offered for resale by such Selling
Securityholder. The supplemented or amended Prospectus will also disclose
whether any Selling Securityholder has held any position or office with, been
employed by or otherwise had a material relationship with, the Company or any of
its affiliates during the three years prior to the date of the supplemented or
amended prospectus.

           The Selling Securityholders and any broker-dealer participating in
the distribution of the Notes and Conversion Shares may be deemed to be
"underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any profit and any
commissions paid, or any discounts or concessions allowed to any such
broker-dealer may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under
the Securities Act. The Selling Securityholders may indemnify any broker- dealer
that participates in transactions involving the sale of Notes and Conversion
Shares against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities
Act.

           There can be no assurance that the Selling Securityholders will sell
any or all of the Notes and/or Conversion Shares offered by them hereunder. The
Notes and/or the Conversion Shares may be sold pursuant to Rule 144A or Rule 144
rather than pursuant to this Prospectus.

           The resale of the Notes and/or Conversion Shares will be freely
transferable in the hands of persons other than affiliates of the Company. The
Common Stock is included for quotation in the Nasdaq Stock Market's under the
symbol "MRVC."

            The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the resale of
the Notes and/or Conversion Shares.

                                  LEGAL MATTERS

           The validity of the Notes offered by this Prospectus will be passed
upon for the Company by Freshman, Marantz, Orlanski, Cooper & Klein, a law
corporation, Beverly Hills, California.

                                    EXPERTS

           The audited financial statements of the Company included in this
registration statement have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent
public accountants, as indicated in their report dated February 20, 1998 and
appearing on page F-2 with respect thereto, and are included herein in reliance
upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving said reports.




                                       68
<PAGE>   71

                                    GLOSSARY

The following computer networking terms are used in this Prospectus:

ASIC (APPLICATION SPECIFIC INTEGRATED CIRCUITS) -- an integrated circuit on a
   chip designed for a specific purpose, as opposed to an integrated circuit
   designed for general applications such as a microprocessor.

ATM (ASYNCHRONOUS TRANSFER MODE) -- a high speed network switching technology in
   which a dedicated circuit is set up between two end systems before a
   communication session can begin. Information is transmitted in cells; a cell
   is a fixed-size packet of information, as opposed to a frame, which is a
   variable-length packet of information.

BANDWIDTH -- technically, bandwidth refers to the difference between the highest
   and lowest frequencies in a communications channel; the term is now commonly
   used to refer to the data carrying capacity of the channel.

DFB (DISTRIBUTED FEEDBACK LASER) -- single frequency, narrow spectrum laser.

END-TO-END SOLUTION -- a network solution with common technical architecture
   that allows network services to be consistently provided to all users on the
   network.

ETHERNET -- a term used to refer to all forms of shared CSMA/CD (carrier sense
   multiple access/collision detection) networking. In a CSMA/CD network a
   computer will "listen" to determine if the network cable is in use, and will
   wait until the cable is clear before transmitting. If two computers try to
   send at the same time, the collision is detected, both computers stop
   transmitting and wait a random length of time and then transmit. Too much
   traffic on such a network will result in so many collisions that the
   network's performance is significantly degraded.

FAST ETHERNET -- Ethernet with 100 Mbps capacity.

FDDI (FIBER DISTRIBUTED DATA INTERFACE) -- a high-speed networking technology
   originally designed for fiber optic cable.

FIBER OPTIC -- relating to the transmission of data using light, as opposed to
   transmission using electricity.

FRAME RELAY -- a WAN networking solution that implements a form of
   packet-switching technology which routes frames of information from one
   computer to another over a switching network owned by a carrier such as AT&T,
   Sprint, MCI or one of the Bell companies. Frame relay is designed to provide
   short duration communication links between router connected devices.

FTTC (FIBER-TO-THE-CURB) -- deployment of fiber optic cable in the subscribers
   local loop, i.e., the last mile to consumer homes sometimes designated as the
   onramp to the information superhighway, also to the home.

FIBER-IN-THE-LOOP -- a network in which fiber optic is used between the central
   office and the customer's location (i.e. the portion of the telephone system
   known as the loop).

FRAME -- a variable-length packet of information transmitted between computers.

GBPS -- a data transfer rate of one billion bits per second.

GIGABIT ETHERNET -- Ethernet with Gbps capacity.

HUB -- a central component in a network which allows each computer connected to
   the hub to communicate with each other; configuring a network with multiple
   hubs, and connecting the hubs, allows the network to keep local traffic local
   and conserve the capacity of the overall network. In contrast to switches,
   hubs indiscriminately forward data to all ports connected to the hub. In
   addition hubs require computers to alternate communication over a single LAN,
   thereby allowing a computer to send information only when other computers are
   not doing so.

INTRANET -- an internal network of computers connecting only those computers
   within a company or other organization.

ISP (INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER) -- a company that supplies access to the
   Internet.



                                       70
<PAGE>   72

ISDN (INTEGRATED SERVICES DIGITAL NETWORK) -- an all digital, circuit-switched
   telephone system that can provide bandwidth on demand.

IP (INTERNET PROTOCOL) -- the underlying protocol for routing packets on the
   Internet and other IP-based networks.

LAN (LOCAL AREA NETWORK) -- a shared communication system tying together a group
   of computers located within a limited area.

LEC (LOCAL EXCHANGE CARRIERS) -- a telephone company that operates within a
   local area.

LED (LIGHT EMITTING DIODE) -- an electronic device that when provided the proper
   power will emit a beam of light. LEDs may be used to generate the light
   transmitted over optical fiber cables.

MBPS -- a data transfer rate of a million bits per second.

NETWORK -- a group of computers connected so as to be able to exchange
   information. One method of constructing a network is a switch-based network
   in which the computers are connected to dedicated ports on Ethernet switches,
   Gigabit Ethernet switches, ATM switches or other switches.

NMS (NETWORK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM) -- a system for active and passive monitoring of
   a network.

PACKETS -- a package of data sent by a computer over a network.

PCS (PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM) -- a digital wireless communications
   technology that includes voice, data and video. Digital cellular phones are
   an example of PCS.

ROUTER -- an electronic device that moves information from one network to
   another, applying intelligence in the process to ensure that the information
   reaches its destination securely and quickly.

SONET (SYNCHRONOUS OPTICAL NETWORK) -- a standard that defines telecommunication
   transmissions over fiber optic cable.

SWITCH -- an electronic device that allows the connection of a computer directly
   on a private line to another computer on the network. A large network may be
   divided into subsets using switches so as to help avoid congestion on the
   network.

TOKEN RING -- a network standard in which only the computer "holding" the token
   frame may transmit on the network. The other computers wait to receive the
   token before transmitting. This is in contrast to competitive access
   standards, such as Ethernet, which may have "collisions" when two computers
   try to access the network at the same time.

UPLINK -- switched connectivity to a different speed LAN.

VLAN (VIRTUAL LAN) -- a subset of computers in a larger network which are set up
   as a subnetwork; a VLAN within a network is connected to other VLANs on the
   network by routers.

VPN (VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK) -- a private, encrypted "network" that transports
   voice and data between an organization's different sites; the VPN may use the
   Internet as the path over which it transmits the data.

WAN (WIDE AREA NETWORK) -- a network that connects computers, not within a local
   area, over public or private data communication channels.

WDM (WAVELENGTH DIVISION MULTIPLEXER) -- a product that increases the amount of
   data that can be transmitted over a fiber optic network at any time by
   increasing the number of wavelengths in a fiber optic network.



                                       71
<PAGE>   73
 
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              PAGE
                                                              ----
<S>                                                           <C>
MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Report of Independent Public Accountants (Arthur Andersen
  LLP)......................................................   F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996 and
  1997......................................................   F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three years
  ended December 31, 1997...................................   F-5
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the
  three years ended December 31, 1997.......................   F-6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three years
  ended December 31, 1997...................................   F-7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..................   F-8
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June
  30, 1998..................................................  F-22
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
  for the six months ended June 30, 1997 and 1998...........  F-23
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
  for the six months ended June 30, 1997 and 1998...........  F-24
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial
  Statements................................................  F-25
Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements.......  F-27
Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheet as of
  December 31, 1997.........................................  F-28
Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Operations
  for the year ended December 31, 1997......................  F-30
Notes and Assumptions to Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated
  Financial Statements......................................  F-31
 
XYPLEX, INC.
Report of Independent Auditors (Ernst & Young LLP)..........  F-32
Balance Sheets as of October 31, 1997 and 1996..............  F-33
Statements of Operations for the year ended October 31, 1997
  and for the period April 10, 1996 to October 31, 1996.....  F-34
Statements of Changes in Stockholder's Equity for the year
  ended October 31, 1997 and the period April 10, 1996 to
  October 31, 1996..........................................  F-35
Statements of Cash Flows for the year ended October 31, 1997
  and the period April 10, 1996 to October 31, 1996.........  F-36
Notes to Financial Statements...............................  F-37
Report of Independent Accountants (Coopers & Lybrand
  L.L.P.)...................................................  F-45
Balance Sheet as of April 9, 1996...........................  F-46
Statement of Loss for the period January 1, 1996 through
  April 9, 1996.............................................  F-47
Statement of Parent Company Investment for the period
  January 1, 1996 through April 9, 1996.....................  F-48
Statement of Cash Flows for the period January 1, 1996
  through April 9, 1996.....................................  F-49
Notes to Financial Statements...............................  F-50
Report of Independent Accountants (Coopers & Lybrand
  L.L.P.)...................................................  F-55
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1995 and 1994.............  F-56
Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 1995
  and 1994..................................................  F-57
Statements of Stockholder's Equity for the years ended
  December 31, 1995 and 1994................................  F-58
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31,
  1995 and 1994.............................................  F-59
Notes to Financial Statements...............................  F-60
</TABLE>
 
                                       F-1
<PAGE>   74
 
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To MRV Communications, Inc.:
 
     We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of MRV
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries as of December
31, 1996 and 1997, and the related consolidated statements of operations,
stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1997. These financial statements are the responsibility of
the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of MRV Communications, Inc. and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1997, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1997 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                                /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                                   Arthur Andersen LLP
 
Los Angeles, California
February 20, 1998
 
                                       F-2
<PAGE>   75
 
                            MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                                     ASSETS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -------------------
                                                               1996        1997
                                                              -------    --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents.................................  $14,641    $ 19,428
  Short-term investments....................................   17,659      36,413
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $2,468 in 1996
     and $4,252 in 1997.....................................   24,296      47,258
  Inventories...............................................   18,238      41,689
  Deferred income tax asset.................................    2,660       2,280
  Other current assets......................................    4,377       7,248
                                                              -------    --------
          Total current assets..............................   81,871     154,316
                                                              -------    --------
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, at cost:
  Building..................................................    1,464       3,127
  Machinery and equipment...................................    3,941       4,294
  Furniture and fixtures....................................      286         560
  Computer hardware and software............................    1,513       2,134
  Leasehold improvements....................................      533         710
                                                              -------    --------
                                                                7,737      10,825
  Less -- Accumulated depreciation and amortization.........   (1,489)     (2,642)
                                                              -------    --------
                                                                6,248       8,183
                                                              -------    --------
OTHER ASSETS:
  Investments...............................................       --      62,382
  Deferred income tax asset.................................    6,036       6,231
  Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of $210 in 1996
     and $372 in 1997.......................................    2,788       5,077
  Other.....................................................       --          47
                                                              -------    --------
                                                                8,824      73,737
                                                              -------    --------
                                                              $96,943    $236,236
                                                              =======    ========
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated balance
                                    sheets.
                                       F-3
<PAGE>   76
 
                            MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -------------------
                                                               1996        1997
                                                              -------    --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Current portion of capital lease obligations..............  $   119    $    111
  Accounts payable..........................................   11,328      30,439
  Accrued liabilities.......................................    6,389       8,429
  Accrued restructuring costs...............................    3,549          --
  Customer deposit..........................................    1,500         293
  Income taxes payable......................................    2,013       3,485
                                                              -------    --------
          Total current liabilities.........................   24,898      42,757
                                                              -------    --------
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
  Convertible debentures....................................   17,325          --
  Capital lease obligations, net of current portion.........    1,035         788
  Other long-term liabilities...............................      532       2,065
                                                              -------    --------
          Total long-term liabilities.......................   18,892       2,853
                                                              -------    --------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 7)
MINORITY INTEREST...........................................      852         657
COMMON STOCK ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH
  ACQUISITION (Note 3)......................................   10,530          --
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  Preferred stock, $0.01 par value:
     Authorized -- 1,000 shares; no shares issued or
      outstanding...........................................       --          --
  Common stock, $0.0034 par value:
     Authorized -- 40,000 shares
     Issued and outstanding -- 21,286 shares in 1996 and
      26,360 in 1997........................................       70          88
  Capital in excess of par value............................   49,636     175,874
  Retained earnings (deficit)...............................   (7,950)     14,635
  Cumulative translation adjustments........................       15        (628)
                                                              -------    --------
                                                               41,771     189,969
                                                              -------    --------
                                                              $96,943    $236,236
                                                              =======    ========
</TABLE>
 
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated balance
                                    sheets.
                                       F-4
<PAGE>   77
 
                            MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                   (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -------------------------------
                                                               1995        1996        1997
                                                              -------    --------    --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>         <C>
REVENUES, net:..............................................  $39,202    $ 88,815    $165,471
                                                              -------    --------    --------
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
  Cost of goods sold........................................   22,608      51,478      94,709
  Research and development expenses.........................    4,044       8,201      13,093
  Selling, general and administrative expenses..............    6,799      14,025      27,365
  Purchased technology in progress..........................    6,211      17,795          --
  Restructuring costs.......................................    1,465       6,974          --
                                                              -------    --------    --------
                                                               41,127      98,473     135,167
                                                              -------    --------    --------
          Operating income (loss)...........................   (1,925)     (9,658)     30,304
                                                              -------    --------    --------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
  Interest expense related to convertible debentures and
     acquisition............................................       --      (4,357)       (843)
  Minority interest.........................................       --        (196)       (146)
  Interest income...........................................      641         702       2,841
  Interest expense..........................................     (102)       (743)       (118)
  Other.....................................................      115         194          21
                                                              -------    --------    --------
                                                                  654      (4,400)      1,755
                                                              -------    --------    --------
          Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for
            income taxes....................................   (1,271)    (14,058)     32,059
PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES........................        2      (4,404)      9,474
                                                              -------    --------    --------
NET INCOME (LOSS)...........................................  $(1,273)   $ (9,654)   $ 22,585
                                                              =======    ========    ========
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE INFORMATION:
  Basic earnings (loss) per common share....................  $  (.07)   $   (.49)   $   0.95
                                                              =======    ========    ========
  Diluted earnings (loss) per common share..................  $  (.07)   $   (.49)   $   0.88
                                                              =======    ========    ========
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
  Basic.....................................................   18,377      19,739      23,670
                                                              =======    ========    ========
  Diluted...................................................   18,377      19,739      25,734
                                                              =======    ========    ========
</TABLE>
 
 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
                                       F-5
<PAGE>   78
 
                            MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         COMMON STOCK      CAPITAL IN    RETAINED     CUMULATIVE
                                       ----------------    EXCESS OF     EARNINGS     TRANSLATION
                                       SHARES    AMOUNT    PAR VALUE     (DEFICIT)    ADJUSTMENTS     TOTAL
                                       ------    ------    ----------    ---------    -----------    --------
<S>                                    <C>       <C>       <C>           <C>          <C>            <C>
BALANCE, December 31, 1995...........  19,049     $63       $ 23,491      $ 1,704        $  --       $ 25,258
  Shares held by trustee relating to
    Fibronics acquisition............     137      --             --           --           --             --
  Conversion of debentures...........     812       2         12,851           --           --         12,853
  Exercise of stock warrants and
    options..........................   1,088       4          4,938           --           --          4,942
  Issuance of common stock for
    cash.............................     200       1          3,999           --           --          4,000
  Interest expense related to
    convertible debentures and
    acquisition (see Note 4).........      --      --          4,357           --           --          4,357
  Translation adjustments............      --      --             --           --           15             15
  Net loss...........................      --      --             --       (9,654)          --         (9,654)
                                       ------     ---       --------      -------        -----       --------
BALANCE, December 31, 1996...........  21,286      70         49,636       (7,950)          15         41,771
                                       ------     ---       --------      -------        -----       --------
Issuance of common stock in
  connection with public offering....   2,785       9         93,311           --           --         93,320
Issuance of common stock in
  connection with the acquisition of
  Fibronics Ltd......................     275       1          6,299           --           --          6,300
Return of shares held by trustee
  relating to Fibronics
  acquisition........................    (137)     --             --           --           --             --
Conversion of debentures.............   1,013       4         17,737           --           --         17,741
Exercise of stock warrants and
  options, including related tax
  benefit............................   1,138       4          8,464           --           --          8,468
Interest expense related to
  convertible debentures and
  acquisition........................      --      --            427           --           --            427
Translation adjustment...............      --      --             --           --         (643)          (643)
  Net income.........................      --      --             --       22,585           --         22,585
                                       ------     ---       --------      -------        -----       --------
BALANCE, December 31, 1997...........  26,360     $88       $175,874      $14,635        $(628)      $189,969
                                       ======     ===       ========      =======        =====       ========
</TABLE>
 
 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
                                       F-6
<PAGE>   79
 
                            MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              ---------------------------------
                                                                1995        1996        1997
                                                              --------    --------    ---------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>         <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net income (loss).........................................  $ (1,273)   $ (9,654)   $  22,585
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
    used in operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization.........................       305         943        1,439
      Provision for losses on accounts receivable...........       525       1,643        1,951
      (Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment.........        (6)        192           --
      Realized (gain) loss on investment....................        --        (180)        (215)
      Purchased technology in progress......................     5,691      17,795           --
      Interest related to convertible debentures and
         acquisition........................................        --       4,357          843
      Amortization of premium on U.S. Treasury notes........         8          --           37
      Minority interests' share of income...................        --         196          146
      Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from
         acquisitions:
         Decrease (increase) in:
           Accounts receivable..............................    (6,859)    (10,937)     (22,568)
           Inventories......................................    (5,397)     (5,697)     (21,867)
           Deferred income taxes............................    (1,357)     (6,839)         185
           Other assets.....................................       166      (3,031)      (2,824)
         Increase (decrease) in:
           Accounts payable.................................     1,457       1,912       17,435
           Accrued liabilities and restructuring............       154       6,623       (2,092)
           Income taxes payable.............................       425         798        3,622
           Customer deposits................................       (15)      1,500       (1,207)
           Accrued severance pay............................       (19)        231         (231)
           Deferred rent....................................        (3)         --           --
                                                              --------    --------    ---------
             Net cash used in operating activities..........    (6,198)       (148)      (2,761)
                                                              --------    --------    ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchases of property and equipment.......................    (1,035)     (2,593)      (1,207)
  Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment..........        14          --           --
  Purchases of investments..................................   (22,013)    (45,612)    (148,948)
  Proceeds from sale of investments.........................    24,741      29,133       67,990
  Restricted cash...........................................    (6,272)      6,272           --
  Cash used in acquisitions, net of cash received...........    (1,000)    (13,247)      (5,289)
                                                              --------    --------    ---------
             Net cash used in investing activities..........    (5,565)    (26,047)     (87,454)
                                                              --------    --------    ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Net proceeds from issuance of common stock................     9,715       8,942       99,638
  Proceeds from the issuance of debentures..................        --      30,000           --
  Principal payments on capital lease obligations...........       (78)        (60)        (255)
  Loans receivable from officers............................        32          --           --
  Repurchase of common stock issued in connection with
    acquisition.............................................        --          --       (4,230)
                                                              --------    --------    ---------
             Net cash provided by financing activities......     9,669      38,882       95,153
                                                              --------    --------    ---------
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES
  ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS..............................        --           3         (151)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH
  AND CASH EQUIVALENTS......................................    (2,094)     12,690        4,787
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of year................     4,045       1,951       14,641
                                                              --------    --------    ---------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year......................  $  1,951    $ 14,641    $  19,428
                                                              ========    ========    =========
</TABLE>
 
 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.
                                       F-7
<PAGE>   80
 
                            MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997
 
 1. BACKGROUND
 
     MRV Communications, Inc. (the Company) designs, manufactures, markets and
sells high speed network switching and fiber optic transmission systems which
enhance the performance of existing data and telecommunications networks. The
Company sells two groups of products: (1) computer networking products,
primarily Ethernet local area network (LAN) switches, hubs and related
equipment, and (2) fiber optic components for the transmission of voice, video
and data across enterprise telecommunications and cable TV networks. The
Company's networking solutions enhance the functionality of LAN's by reducing
network congestion while allowing end users to preserve their investments in
pre-existing networks and providing cost-effective migration paths to next
generation technologies such as Gigabit Ethernet. The Company markets and sells
its products both domestically and internationally.
 
 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Principles of Consolidation
 
     The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company
and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, NBase Communications, Inc., NBase
Communications, Ltd. (Nbase Ltd.), NBase Europe GmbH (Nbase Europe), NBase
Fibronics, Ltd. (Fibronics), Netsoft Solutions, Ltd. (Netsoft), and its 70
percent-owned subsidiary, EDSLAN SRL (EDS). All significant intercompany
transactions and accounts have been eliminated.
 
  Foreign Currency Translation
 
     The financial statements of NBase Ltd. and Fibronics have been prepared in
U.S. dollars as the currency of the primary economic environment in which the
operations of these companies are conducted is the U.S. dollar. Thus, the
functional currency of these companies is the U.S. dollar.
 
     Transactions and balances originally denominated in U.S. dollars are
presented at their original amounts. Transactions and balances in other
currencies are translated into U.S. dollars in accordance with Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 52, and are included in determining net
income or loss.
 
     The financial statements of NBase Europe, Netsoft and EDS have been
prepared in the companies' local currencies and have been translated into U.S.
dollars. The functional currency for these companies is their local currency.
 
     Assets and liabilities are translated from the local currencies into U.S.
dollars at the exchange rate prevailing at the balance sheet date. Revenues,
expenses and cash flows are translated at weighted average exchange rates for
the period to approximate translation at the exchange rates prevailing at the
dates those elements are recognized in the financial statements. Translation
adjustments resulting from the process of translating the local currency
financial statements into U.S. dollars are not included in determining net
income or loss but are accumulated and reported as a separate component of
stockholders' equity in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
 
  Use of Estimates
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
                                       F-8
<PAGE>   81
                            MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997
 
  Stock-Based Compensation Plan
 
     The Company accounts for its stock based compensation plan (see Note 8)
under the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25. The Company has elected to follow
the disclosure provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123
(SFAS 123), "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation", beginning January 1, 1995
for employee awards. See Note 8 for disclosure of pro forma income (loss) and
income (loss) per common share amounts for the years ended December 31, 1995,
1996 and 1997 as required by SFAS 123. The Company has adopted SFAS 123 for all
non-employee awards beginning January 1, 1996.
 
  Revenue Recognition
 
     The Company recognizes revenue and provides for returns and warranty upon
shipment of products.
 
     The Company has no customer that accounted for 10 percent or more of the
Company's revenues in 1995, 1996 and 1997. There were no customers with a
receivable balance greater than 10 percent of total receivables at December 31,
1996 and 1997.
 
     Sales to countries outside the United States approximated 45 percent, 53
percent and 60 percent of the Company's revenues in 1995, 1996 and 1997,
respectively. See Note 9 for sales by geographic areas.
 
  Purchased Technology in Progress and Restructuring Costs
 
     In connection with the Company's acquisitions (see Note 3), the Company
acquired incomplete research and development (R&D) projects that will be
included in the current R&D activities of the Company. For projects that will
have no alternative future use to the Company and where technological
feasibility had not yet been established, the Company allocated $6,211,000 and
$17,795,000 to technology in progress and recorded the expense during the years
ended December 31, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
 
     Also in connection with the Company's acquisitions, during the years ended
December 31, 1995 and 1996, the Company recorded $1,465,000 and $6,974,000 as
restructuring costs, respectively, which primarily related to the closing of
facilities, a reduction of its workforce, elimination of product lines and the
settlement of distribution agreements. The reduction of the workforce in 1995
related to 63 employees, of which six were upper management personnel. The
reduction of the workforce in 1996 related to 95 employees, of which seven were
upper management personnel.
 
  Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
     The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original
maturity of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents.
 
  Restricted Cash Balances
 
     At December 31, 1996, the Company had letters of credit secured by a
portion of the Company's short-term investments. There were no restrictions at
December 31, 1997.
 
  Concentration of Credit Risk
 
     The Company maintains cash balances and investments in highly qualified
financial institutions. At various times such amounts are in excess of insured
limits.
 
                                       F-9
<PAGE>   82
                            MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997
 
  Investments
 
     The Company accounts for its investments under the provisions of Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments
in Debt and Equity Securities."
 
     At December 31, 1996 and 1997, short- and long-term investments consisted
of U.S. Treasury notes. As defined by the standard, the Company has classified
its investments in these debt securities as "held-to-maturity" investments and
all investments are recorded at their amortized cost basis, which approximated
their fair value at December 31, 1996 and 1997. All short-term investments
mature by December 1998.
 
  Inventories
 
     Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market
and consist of material, labor and overhead.
 
     Inventories consisted of the following as of December 31, 1996 and 1997 (in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     1996       1997
                                                    -------    -------
<S>                                                 <C>        <C>
Raw materials.....................................  $ 8,295    $17,568
Work-in-process...................................    3,975     13,436
Finished goods....................................    5,968     10,685
                                                    -------    -------
                                                    $18,238    $41,689
                                                    =======    =======
</TABLE>
 
  Property and Equipment
 
     Property and equipment are stated at cost. Maintenance and repairs are
charged to expense as incurred, while significant replacements and betterments
are capitalized.
 
     Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method
based upon the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Useful lives range
from three to thirty-three years.
 
  Goodwill
 
     The Goodwill resulted from the Company's acquisitions during 1995, 1996 and
1997. It is amortized on a straight-line basis over 8 years. The Company
continually evaluates the recoverability of goodwill by assessing whether the
recorded value will be recovered through future expected operating results.
 
  Customer Deposit
 
     The customer deposit at December 31, 1996 represents an advance payment
from a company. The payment was deferred until the related revenue was earned in
1997.
 
  Warranty
 
     The Company warrants its products against defects in materials and
workmanship for one to three year periods. The estimated cost of warranty
obligations is recognized at the time of revenue recognition.
 
  Statements of Cash Flows
 
     Cash paid for income taxes was $932,000 in 1995, $1,620,000 in 1996 and
$5,473,000 in 1997. Cash paid for interest was $102,000 in 1995, $150,000 in
1996 and $214,000 in 1997.
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>   83
                            MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997
 
     The 1995 Statement of Cash Flows includes an amount of $5,691,000 that
represents the fair value of consideration given and net liabilities assumed for
the Company's acquisitions that was allocated to purchased technology in
progress. This amount differs from the amount shown on the 1995 Statement of
Operations by $520,000, which represents legal, consulting and other costs which
were allocated to purchased technology in progress on the Statement of
Operations (see Note 3).
 
     During 1996, the Company acquired property and equipment with a cost of
$1,147,000 through a capital lease agreement. Also in 1996, $12,675,000
principal amount of debentures and $178,000 of accrued interest was converted
into approximately 812,000 shares of common stock. During 1995, the Company
purchased property and equipment with a cost of $100,000 through a capital lease
agreement.
 
     In 1997, $17,325,000 of convertible debentures and $843,000 of interest
were converted into approximately 1,013,000 of shares common stock. Also, the
Company received $2,150,000 of tax benefits relating to the sale of
non-qualified stock options.
 
     These non-cash transactions are excluded from the Statements of Cash Flows.
 
  Common Stock Splits
 
     On May 20, 1996, the Company effected a 3 for 2 stock split of its common
stock, and on July 29, 1996, the Company effected a 2 for 1 stock split of its
common stock. All share amounts set forth in these consolidated financial
statements have been retroactively restated to give effect to these stock
splits.
 
  Net Income per Common Share
 
     In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 128, "Earnings Per
Share". The statement replaces primary EPS with basic EPS, which is computed by
dividing reported earnings available to common shareholders by weighted average
shares outstanding. The provision also requires the calculation of diluted EPS.
The Company adopted this statement in 1997 and all prior year earnings per share
amounts have been recalculated based on the provisions of SFAS No. 128.
 
     The following schedule summarizes the information used to compute earnings
per common share (in thousands except per share data):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -----------------------------
                                                               1995       1996       1997
                                                              -------    -------    -------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
Net income (loss)...........................................  $(1,273)   $(9,654)   $22,585
                                                              =======    =======    =======
Weighted average number of common shares used to compute
  basic net income per common share.........................   18,377     19,739     23,670
Dilutive effect of common share equivalents.................       --         --      2,064
                                                              -------    -------    -------
Weighted average number of common shares used to compute
  diluted net income per common share.......................   18,377     19,739     25,734
                                                              =======    =======    =======
Basic net income (loss) per common share....................      .07       (.49)       .95
Diluted net income (loss) per common share..................      .07       (.49)       .88
</TABLE>
 
  New Authoritative Pronouncements
 
     In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) introduced
SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income". SFAS No. 130 requires certain
disclosures regarding changes in the equity of the Company that result from
transactions and other economic events other than transactions with
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>   84
                            MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997
 
stockholders. SFAS No. 130 will be adopted by the Company in 1998. Management
does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material effect on the
Company's financial position or results of operations.
 
     In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures About Segments of
an Enterprise and Related Information". The statement requires disclosures for
segments determined using the "management approach", which is based on the way
the chief operating decision-maker organizes segments within a company. This
statement is effective for the year ending December 31, 1998, and it must be
applied on a limited basis to interim periods thereafter. The standard will have
no effect on the Company's financial position or statement of operations, but
may change the presentation of segment information in the financial statements.
 
  Reclassifications
 
     Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years' amounts to conform
to the current year presentation.
 
 3. ACQUISITIONS AND RESTRUCTURING
 
  NBase Communications
 
     On May 1, 1995, the Company acquired certain assets and the distribution
business of Galcom Networking, Ltd. (Galcom), a network equipment company
located in Israel. The purchase price paid by the Company was approximately
$900,000 in cash and the assumption of approximately $1,800,000 in liabilities
and debts.
 
     On June 29, 1995, the Company acquired certain assets and the distribution
business of ACE 400 Communications, Ltd. (ACE), a network equipment company
located in Israel. The purchase price paid by the Company was $100,000 in cash,
the assumption of approximately $467,000 in liabilities and debt, the issuance
of 855,000 shares of the Company's common stock (valued at $3,910,000), and
extended a right to ACE to sell to the Company up to $400,000 of ACE's
inventory.
 
     Subsequent to the acquisition dates, the Company consolidated operations in
Israel and formed a new subsidiary in Israel named NBase Communications, Ltd.
Each of the businesses acquired also owned a subsidiary in the United States.
These operations were also consolidated and the Company formed a new subsidiary
in the United States named NBase Communications, Inc.
 
  EDSLAN
 
     In May 1996, the Company purchased 50 percent of the outstanding stock of
EDSLAN SRL, an Italian networking company. The purchase price paid by the
Company was approximately $1,050,000. The purchase agreement calls for the
Company to receive 80 percent of EDS' profits or losses from the date of
acquisition. In June and November, 1997, the Company purchased an additional 10
percent of the outstanding stock of EDSLAN SRL, for $500,000, respectively. At
December 31, 1997, the Company owns 70 percent of EDSLAN SRL.
 
  Fibronics
 
     On September 26, 1996, the Company acquired certain assets and the
distribution business of Fibronics, Ltd., a computer networking and
telecommunications company located primarily in Israel and Germany. On the date
of acquisition, Fibronics, Ltd. was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Elbit, Ltd.
(Elbit). The purchase price paid by the Company was $22,770,000, of which
$12,240,000 was paid in cash and $10,530,000 was paid through the delivery of
approximately 459,000 shares of the Company's common stock.
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>   85
                            MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997
 
     The Company guaranteed Elbit that it would realize at least $10,530,000
from the shares of common stock, plus interest thereon at 0.67% per month from
January 1, 1997 until such shares were resold. The Company secured the guarantee
with a letter of credit from a major bank in the amount of approximately
$4,300,000 and by issuing to a trustee an additional 137,000 shares of common
stock. After January 14, 1997, Elbit could, under certain circumstances, elect
to cause the Company to repurchase up to approximately 275,000 shares for
$6,300,000, plus interest thereon at 0.67% per month from January 1, 1997
through the date of purchase.
 
     In March 1997, the Company and Elbit agreed to amend their agreement
regarding the common stock portion of the purchase price paid to Elbit for the
distribution business of Fibronics, Ltd. First, the Company repurchased
approximately 184,000 shares, paying Elbit $4,230,000 (approximately $23.00 per
share) (plus accrued interest thereon at 0.67% per month from January 1, 1997
through March 13, 1997). Second, with respect to the remaining 275,000 shares
(the "Additional Shares"), the Company guaranteed that the Additional Shares
could be resold by Elbit for at least $6,300,000 (approximately $23.00 per
share), plus interest thereon at 0.67% per month from January 1, 1997 through
the date of Elbit's resale. To secure any shortfall, the Company delivered to
Elbit pending resale of the Additional Shares a letter of credit from a major
bank, expiring on June 15, 1997, in the amount of approximately $6,536,000.
Elbit is due to pay to the Company any excess above $23.00 per share, which is
an immaterial amount. As part of the amended agreement, Elbit also returned the
137,000 shares to the Company.
 
     Subsequent to the acquisition date, the Company formed a new subsidiary in
Israel named NBase Fibronics, Ltd. and a new subsidiary in Germany named NBase
Europe GmbH.
 
     All acquisitions were accounted for using the purchase method of
accounting, and accordingly, the purchase price was allocated to assets acquired
and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values, as follows (in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           1995        1996
                                                          -------    --------
<S>                                                       <C>        <C>
Inventory...............................................  $   319    $  3,574
Accounts receivable.....................................       --       2,686
Property and equipment..................................      600       1,793
Other assets............................................       --         315
Current liabilities and debt............................   (2,267)     (3,962)
                                                          -------    --------
          Net assets acquired or liabilities assumed....   (1,348)      4,406
Cash paid for legal, consulting and other costs.........     (395)       (450)
Accrued legal, consulting and others costs..............     (125)       (365)
Common stock issued to sellers..........................   (3,910)    (10,530)
Cash paid to sellers....................................   (1,000)    (13,287)
                                                          -------    --------
          Paid or accrued...............................   (5,430)    (24,632)
Allocated to purchased technology in progress...........    6,211      17,795
                                                          -------    --------
Goodwill................................................  $   567    $  2,431
                                                          =======    ========
</TABLE>
 
     In connection with the acquisition of certain assets from Galcom, the
Company issued warrants to Galcom to purchase 225,000 shares of common stock at
prices ranging from $4.92 to $7.38 per share. The Company also issued warrants
to purchase 75,000 common shares to former employees of Galcom at prices ranging
from $4.25 to $4.75 per share, warrants to purchase 990,000 common shares at
prices ranging from $4.25 to $4.75 per share to existing employees and
consultants, warrants to purchase 45,000 common shares at $4.25 per share to an
outside consultant, and warrants to purchase 36,000 common shares at $4.25 per
share to a company for design services performed. All of these warrants are
exercisable over a five year period.
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>   86
                            MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997
 
     In connection with the acquisition of certain assets from ACE, the Company
issued warrants to the trustee of ACE to purchase 300,000 common shares at $4.57
per share, and issued warrants to purchase 30,000 shares at $4.67 per share to
an ACE employee. All of these warrants are exercisable over a five year period.
 
     The following summarized unaudited pro forma financial information for the
years ended December 31, 1996 assumes the acquisitions of NBase Communications,
Ltd., EDSLAN, Fibronics and NBase Europe GmbH occurred on January 1, 1995 (in
thousands, except for per share data):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    1995        1996
                                                   -------    --------
<S>                                                <C>        <C>
Revenues, net....................................  $82,008    $111,000
Net income.......................................      762       1,294
Earnings per common share........................  $  0.04    $   0.07
                                                   =======    ========
</TABLE>
 
     Pro forma net income and earning per common share amounts do not include
the purchased technology in progress costs, net of their tax effects, included
in the accompanying 1995 and 1996 Statement of Operations.
 
  Netsoft
 
     In November 1997, the Company agreed to a small purchase of Netsoft
Solutions, Ltd. (Netsoft). Under the agreement, the Company acquired certain
assets and the business operations of Netsoft, a French networking company. The
purchase price paid by the Company was approximately $4,700,000, of which
approximately $2,300,000 was goodwill.
 
 4. CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES
 
     In September 1996, the Company completed a private placement of $30,000,000
principal amount of convertible debentures. The proceeds from the private
placement were primarily used to finance the Company's 1996 acquisition of
certain assets from Fibronics, Ltd. (see Note 3). The debentures bore interest
at 5 percent per annum, payable semi-annually, and were convertible into common
stock at any time at the option of the holders. A discount from the market price
at the time of conversion applied beginning 90 days after the first issuance of
debentures. The Company could force conversion under certain circumstances and
after certain dates, and the debentures would automatically convert into common
stock at maturity if not previously converted. The conversion price was a
specified percentage of the prevailing market price of the Company's common
stock on the conversion date, which was defined in the debenture agreement as
the average of the closing bid price of a share of the Company's stock for the
five trading days immediately preceding the conversion date. The conversion
price was 85.5 percent of the applicable market price if the debentures were
converted during the 30 days beginning December 6, 1996. The conversion price
decreased by an additional one percent each 30 days after January 4, 1997 until
it reached a floor of 77.5 percent.
 
     The value of the fixed discount has been reflected in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements as additional interest expense and such fixed
discount has been accreted through the first possible conversion date of the
respective issuance.
 
     As part of the private placement, the Company also issued to the holders
three-year warrants to purchase an aggregate of up to 600,000 shares of common
stock at an exercise price of $26.67 per share. In accordance with SFAS 123, the
fair value of the warrants ($852,000) was recorded as an increase to
stockholders' equity and amortized as additional interest expense over the life
of the debentures.
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>   87
                            MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997
 
     As of December 31, 1996, $12,675,000 principal amount of debentures, and
$178,000 of accrued interest, had been converted into approximately 812,000
shares of common stock at an average conversion rate of $15.83 per share. At
December 31, 1996, there were $17,325,000 principal amount of debentures
outstanding and $297,000 of interest was owed to the holders relating to the
debentures. This accrued interest is included in "accrued liabilities" on the
accompanying December 31, 1996 consolidated balance sheet. In 1996, $4,357,000
was recorded as additional interest expense and as an increase to stockholders'
equity relating to the "beneficial conversion" feature and the fair value of the
warrants.
 
     During 1997, $17,325,000 principal amount of debentures, and approximately
$843,000 of accrued interest, were converted into approximately 1,013,000 shares
of common stock at an average conversion rate of $17.93 per share. At December
31, 1997, there are no debentures outstanding.
 
 5. WARRANTS
 
  Common Stock Purchase Warrants
 
     In connection with various public and private offerings of common stock and
acquisitions the Company has issued warrants to purchase additional shares of
common stock.
 
     A summary of warrant activities for 1995, 1996 and 1997 is as follows
(number of shares in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       NUMBER        EXERCISE
                                                      OF SHARES       PRICES
                                                      ---------    -------------
<S>                                                   <C>          <C>
Balance, December 31, 1994..........................      268      $.27 to  1.71
  Issued............................................    2,100      4.25 to  7.38
  Exercised.........................................     (236)      .27 to  1.67
  Redeemed..........................................       --                 --
                                                        -----      -------------
Balance, December 31, 1995..........................    2,132       .27 to  7.38
  Issued............................................    2,106      8.42 to 26.65
  Exercised.........................................     (776)      .27 to  8.42
  Redeemed..........................................       --                 --
                                                        -----      -------------
Balance, December 31, 1996..........................    3,462      $.27 to 26.65
  Issued............................................       10              32.50
  Exercised.........................................     (766)     1.67 to 14.25
  Redeemed..........................................       --                 --
  Canceled..........................................     (100)             20.00
                                                        -----      -------------
Balance, December 31, 1997..........................    2,606      $.27 to 32.50
                                                        =====      =============
</TABLE>
 
 6. INCOME TAXES
 
     The Company accounts for income taxes under the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 109 (SFAS 109).
 
     Under SFAS 109, deferred income tax assets or liabilities are computed
based on temporary differences between the financial statement and income tax
bases of assets and liabilities using the enacted marginal income tax rate in
effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred
income tax expenses or credits are based on the changes in the deferred income
tax assets or liabilities from period to period.
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>   88
                            MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997
 
     The components of the net deferred income tax asset at December 31, 1996
and 1997 are as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1996      1997
                                                             ------    ------
<S>                                                          <C>       <C>
Allowance for bad debts....................................  $  777    $1,071
Inventory reserve..........................................     280       466
Warranty reserve...........................................     160       320
Accrued restructuring costs................................   1,147        --
State income taxes.........................................     296       331
Other, net.................................................      --        92
                                                             ------    ------
          Current portion..................................   2,660     2,280
Purchased technology in progress...........................   6,998     6,231
Valuation reserve..........................................    (962)       --
                                                             ------    ------
                                                              6,036     6,231
                                                             ------    ------
                                                             $8,696    $8,511
                                                             ======    ======
</TABLE>
 
     The provision (benefit) for income taxes for the years ended December 31,
1995, 1996 and 1997 is as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  1995       1996       1997
                                                 -------    -------    ------
<S>                                              <C>        <C>        <C>
Current -- Federal.............................  $ 1,112    $ 1,692    $7,635
         -- State..............................      247        324       828
         -- Foreign............................       --        547     1,356
                                                 -------    -------    ------
                                                   1,359      2,563     9,819
                                                 -------    -------    ------
Deferred -- Federal............................     (333)    (5,694)      157
          -- State.............................      (99)    (1,022)       28
          -- Foreign...........................     (925)      (251)     (530)
                                                 -------    -------    ------
                                                  (1,357)    (6,967)     (345)
                                                 -------    -------    ------
Provision (benefit)for income taxes............  $     2    $(4,404)   $9,474
                                                 =======    =======    ======
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>   89
                            MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997
 
     Differences between the provision (benefit) for income taxes and income
taxes at the statutory federal income tax rate based on U.S. pre-tax income for
the years ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 are as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  1995                1996                 1997
                                            ----------------    -----------------    -----------------
                                            AMOUNT   PERCENT    AMOUNT    PERCENT    AMOUNT    PERCENT
                                            ------   -------    -------   -------    -------   -------
<S>                                         <C>      <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>
Income tax provision (benefit) at
  statutory federal rate..................  $ 889      34.0%    $(4,780)   (34.0)%   $11,222    35.0%
State and local income taxes, net of
  federal income tax effect...............    160       6.1         563      4.0       1,924     6.0
Non-deductible interest expense...........     --        --       1,542     11.0         175      .5
Research and development credit...........   (173)     (6.7)       (374)    (2.7)     (1,669)   (5.2)
Effect of foreign net operating loss
  carryforwards...........................   (925)    (35.4)         --       --          --      --
Foreign taxes at rates less than domestic
  rates, other............................     51       2.0      (1,892)   (13.4)     (1,216)   (3.8)
Change in valuation reserve...............     --        --         537      3.8        (962)   (3.0)
                                            -----     -----     -------    -----     -------    ----
                                            $   2        --%    $(4,404)   (31.3)%   $ 9,474    29.5%
                                            =====     =====     =======    =====     =======    ====
</TABLE>
 
     In 1995, NBase Ltd. qualified for a program under which it will be eligible
for a tax exemption on its income for a period of ten years from the beginning
of the benefits period. The Company estimates the benefit period will begin in
1998.
 
     The Company does not provide U.S. federal income taxes on the undistributed
earnings of its foreign operations. The Company's policy is to leave the income
permanently invested in the country of origin. Such amounts will only be
distributed to the United States to the extent any federal income tax can be
fully offset by foreign tax credits.
 
 7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
  Lease Commitments
 
     The Company leases its primary facilities in Chatsworth, California from
unaffiliated third parties at an annual combined base rent of approximately
$340,000 with lease terms expiring through 2002. The Company also leases sales
office and warehouse space in Maryland, Israel, England, Germany and Italy at a
combined annual base rent of approximately $594,000, with lease terms expiring
from 1999 through 2006.
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>   90
                            MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997
 
     The Company leases all of its facilities and certain equipment under
noncancelable capital and operating leases. Minimum future obligations under
such agreements at December 31, 1996 are as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           CAPITAL    OPERATING
                                                           LEASES      LEASES
                                                           -------    ---------
<S>                                                        <C>        <C>
1998.....................................................  $  172      $  760
1999.....................................................     171         602
2000.....................................................     171         550
2001.....................................................     171         550
2002.....................................................     171         466
Thereafter...............................................     279         238
                                                           ------      ------
                                                            1,135      $3,166
                                                                       ======
Less -- Amount representing interest.....................    (236)
                                                           ------
                                                              899
Less -- Current portion..................................    (111)
                                                           ------
                                                           $  788
                                                           ======
</TABLE>
 
     Rent expense under noncancelable operating lease agreements for the years
ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 was $405,000, $684,000 and $706,000,
respectively.
 
  Royalty Commitment
 
     As part of the purchase agreements of the Israeli companies referred to in
Note 3, the selling companies' commitments to pay royalties to the State of
Israel were assigned to the Company. The commitments arose as a consequence of
the participation of the Israeli Government in product development through the
payment of grants.
 
     The royalties are payable at a rate of between 1.5 percent and 5.0 percent
of the sales proceeds of the products developed up to 150 percent of the amount
of the grants received. $276,000 was provided for in 1997 for royalties to be
paid under these agreements.
 
  Accounts Receivable
 
     The Company has agreements with several financial institutions to sell its
receivables with recourse; in the event of customer's default, the Company must
repurchase the receivable. At December 31, 1997 the Company is contingently
liable in the amount of $5,148,916 relating to such receivables sold with
recourse.
 
  Litigation
 
     In December, 1996, Datapoint brought an action against Nbase
Communications, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company ("Nbase") and several other
defendants in the United States District Court, for the Eastern District of New
York alleging infringement of two of Datapoint's patents related to LANs, more
particularly to claimed improved LANs which interoperatively combine additional
enhanced capability and/or which provide multiple different operational
capabilities. In the same lawsuit, Datapoint alleges that other defendants
including Dayna Communications, Inc. Sun Microsystems, Inc., Adaptec, Inc.,
International Business Machines Corporation, Lantronix and SVEC America Computer
Corporation have infringed the same two patents. The Company has been advised
that several other companies, including Intel Corporation and Cisco Systems,
Inc. have also had actions brought against them by Datapoint with respect to the
same two patents. The action against Nbase and its codefendants seeks, among
other things, an injunction against the
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>   91
                            MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997
 
manufacture or sale or products which embody the inventions set forth in the two
patents and single and treble damages for the alleged infringement. Datatpoint's
complaint also seeks to have the court determine that the named defendants shall
serve as representatives of a defendant class of manufacturers, vendors and
users of products allegedly infringing on Datapoint's claimed patents from which
defendant class Datapoint seeks the same relief as from the individual
defendants. The Company is cooperating with several of the defendants in pursuit
of common defenses and believes the claim is without merit. If a conclusion
unfavorable to the Company is reached, however, Datapoint's claim could
materially affect the business, operating results and financial condition of the
Company.
 
 8. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN
 
     The Company has a stock option plan (the 1992 Plan) that provides for the
granting of options to purchase up to 1,950,000 shares of common stock,
consisting of both incentive stock options and non-qualified options. Incentive
stock options are issuable only to employees of the Company and may not be
granted at an exercise price less than the fair market value of the common stock
on the date the option is granted. Non-qualified stock options may be issued to
non-employee directors, consultants and others, as well as to employees, with an
exercise price established by the Board of Directors. All incentive stock
options granted as of December 31, 1997 have been granted at prices equal to the
fair market value of the common stock on the grant date, and all options granted
expire five or ten years from the date of grant. All of the incentive stock
options granted become exercisable beginning one year from the date of grant in
equal installments over a three year period, while the non-qualified options
become fully exercisable beginning six months from the date of the grant.
 
     The Company has an additional stock option plan (the 1997 Plan) that
provides for the granting of options to purchase up to 500,000 shares of common
stock, consisting of both incentive stock options and non-qualified options.
Incentive stock options are issuable only to employees of the Company.
Non-qualified stock options may be issued to non-employee directors, consultants
and others, as well as to employees. The exercise price of all stock options
granted under the 1997 Plan must be at least equal to the fair market value of
such shares on the date of grant.
 
     The Company accounts for these plans under APB Opinion No. 25, under which
no compensation cost has been recognized. Had compensation cost for this plan
and the warrants been determined consistent with SFAS 123, the Company's net
(loss) income and (loss) income per diluted common share amounts would have been
reduced to the following pro forma amounts (net (loss) income amounts are in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          1995       1996       1997
                                                         -------    -------    -------
<S>                                       <C>            <C>        <C>        <C>
Net Income (Loss):                        As Reported    $(1,273)   $(9,654)   $22,585
                                          Pro Forma       (2,066)   (11,254)    20,943
Income (Loss) Per Common Share:
  Basic:                                  As Reported    $ (0.07)   $ (0.49)   $  0.95
                                          Pro Forma        (0.11)     (0.57)      0.88
 
  Diluted:                                As Reported    $ (0.07)   $ (0.49)   $  0.88
                                          Pro Forma        (0.11)     (0.57)      0.81
</TABLE>
 
     Because the SFAS 123 method of accounting has not been applied to options
granted prior to January 1, 1995, the resulting pro forma compensation cost may
not be representative of that to be expected in future years.
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>   92
                            MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997
 
     A summary of the status of the Company's outstanding stock options at
December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 and changes during the years then ended is
presented in the table and narrative below (shares are in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  1995                   1996                   1997
                                           -------------------    -------------------    -------------------
                                                    WTD. AVG.              WTD. AVG.              WTD. AVG.
                                           SHARES   EX. PRICE     SHARES   EX. PRICE     SHARES   EX. PRICE
                                           ------   ----------    ------   ----------    ------   ----------
<S>                                        <C>      <C>           <C>      <C>           <C>      <C>
Outstanding at beginning of year.........    391      $2.10       1,156      $ 3.59      1,475      $ 6.02
Granted..................................    812       4.07         672       12.45        110       19.45
Exercised................................    (47)      2.11        (312)       3.28       (372)       4.86
Forfeited................................     --         --         (41)       5.72         (5)       8.19
                                           -----      -----       -----      ------      -----      ------
Outstanding at end of year...............  1,156      $3.59       1,475      $ 6.02      1,208      $ 8.77
                                           -----      -----       -----      ------      -----      ------
Exercisable at end of year...............     84      $2.10         172        3.05        548        5.31
                                           -----      -----       -----      ------      -----      ------
Weighted average fair value of
  options granted........................             $1.74                  $ 4.28                 $ 5.89
                                                      -----                  ------                 ------
</TABLE>
 
     The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using
an option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used for
grants in 1995, 1996 and 1997: risk-free interest rates of 6.5 percent; no
expected dividend yield; expected lives of 4 to 6 years; expected volatility of
16% to 50%.
 
 9. FOREIGN OPERATIONS
 
     The Company operates principally in four geographic areas: the United
States, the European Community, the Pacific Rim and the Middle East. The
following is a summary of information by areas as of and for the year ended
December 31, 1997 (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         UNITED    EUROPEAN    MIDDLE    PACIFIC   ALL OTHER
                                         STATES    COMMUNITY    EAST       RIM       AREAS      TOTAL
                                        --------   ---------   -------   -------   ---------   --------
<S>                                     <C>        <C>         <C>       <C>       <C>         <C>
Sales to unaffiliated customers.......  $ 66,562    $68,719    $ 5,178   $21,607    $3,405     $165,471
Income from operations................    12,191     12,585        947     3,957       624       30,304
Identifiable assets...................   163,462     32,584     40,190        --        --      236,236
</TABLE>
 
     Intercompany sales between geographic areas, which have been eliminated
from sales to unaffiliated customers and which are accounted for as arms length
transactions were as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
From the Middle East to the United States...................  $10,866
From the United States to the Middle East...................    8,699
From the Middle East to the European Community..............   13,058
From the United States to the European Community............    4,387
</TABLE>
 
10. 401(K) PLAN
 
     In February 1997, the Company established a 401(k) savings plan (the Plan)
under which all eligible employees may participate. The Plan calls for the
Company to make matching contributions to all eligible employees. In 1997,
approximately $34,000 was charged to operations related to this plan.
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>   93
                            MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997
 
11. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
  Xyplex Acquisition
 
     In January 1998, the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of
Xyplex Corporation, a subsidiary of the Whittaker Corporation engaged in the
design and manufacture of computer networking products primarily for use in wide
area networks (WAN). The purchase price was $35,000,000 in cash and three-year
warrants to purchase up to 500,000 shares of the Company's common stock at $35
per share.
 
     The acquisition will be accounted for as a purchase. The accounting for the
acquisition and expected restructuring has not been finalized. The Company
expects the accounting to include the recording of goodwill, the write-off of
significant amounts of purchased technology in progress and the recording of a
restructuring charge related to the closing of facilities, reductions in
workforce and settlement of distribution agreements.
 
                                      F-21
<PAGE>   94

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands)
                                                                                          June 30,     
                                                                                            1998       
                                                                                        (unaudited)    
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                <C>                 
ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS:
             Cash & cash equivalents                                               $         116,971   
             Short-term investments                                                           21,651   
             Accounts receivable, net of
                    reserves of $6,337  in 1998 and $4,252  in 1997                           60,636   
             Inventories                                                                      45,389   
             Deferred income taxes                                                             8,567   
             Other current assets                                                              7,570   
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Total current assets                                                       260,784   

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - At cost,
             net of depreciation and amortization                                             19,470   

OTHER ASSETS:
             Goodwill                                                                         21,533   
             Investments                                                                      16,971   
             Deferred income taxes                                                             6,112   
             Loan acquisition costs and other                                                  4,409   
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                   $         329,279   
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES
             Current maturities of financing lease obligations                     $             141   
             Accounts payable                                                                 27,406   
             Accrued liabilities                                                              11,700   
             Accrued restructuring costs                                                       8,713   
             Deferred revenue                                                                  4,876   
             Income taxes payable                                                              4,723   
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                  Total current liabilities                                                   57,559   


LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
             Convertible debentures                                                          100,000   
             Capital lease obligations, net of current portion                                   882   
             Deferred income taxes                                                               425   
             Other long-term liabilities                                                       1,579   
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                  Total long term liabilities                                                102,886   

MINORITY INTERESTS                                                                             2,633   

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
             Preferred stock, $0.01 par value:
                    1,000 shares authorized no shares outstanding                                 --   
             Common stock, $0.0034 par value:
                    40,000,000 shares authorized and
                    26,520 shares outstanding in 1998
                    and 26,360 shares outstanding in 1997                                         90   
             Additional paid-in capital                                                      183,324   
             Retained earnings (deficit)                                                     (16,651)  
             Cumulative translation adjustments                                                 (562)  
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Total stockholders' equity                                                      166,201   
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                   $         329,279   
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                             See accompanying notes


                                      F-22

<PAGE>   95


MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                            Six Months Ended                
                                            ---------------------------------------------   
                                                   June 30,              June 30,           
                                                     1997                  1998             
                                                 (Unaudited)            (Unaudited)         
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
<S>                                           <C>                    <C>                    
REVENUES, net                                 $         75,092       $       126,568        

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   

COSTS AND EXPENSES:
      Cost of goods sold                                43,061                70,754        
      Research and development
          expenses                                       5,789                10,525        
      Selling, general and
          administrative expenses                       12,007                23,581        

      Purchased technology
          in progress                                       --                30,571        

      Restructuring costs                                   --                23,194        
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   

      Operating (loss) income                           14,235               (32,057)        

      Interest expense related to
          convertible debentures
          and acquisition                                  427                    --        

      Other income (expense), net                          119                 1,374        

      Provision for income taxes                         4,305                   363        

      Minority interests                                    70                   240        

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   

NET INCOME (LOSS)                             $          9,552       $       (31,286)        

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   

NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE

      Basic                                   $           0.42       $         (1.18)         
                                                                                            
      Diluted                                 $           0.38       $         (1.18)         
                                                                                            
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   

SHARES USED IN PER - SHARE CALCULATION

      Basic                                             22,501                26,440        

      Diluted                                           24,892                26,440        

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
</TABLE>


                             See accompanying notes


                                      F-23






<PAGE>   96
                         MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
                  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                         (UNAUDITED IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            Six Months Ended
                                                                                                 June 30,
                                                                           ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    1997                        1998
                                                                           ----------------------      -----------------------
<S>                                                                        <C>                         <C>  
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
   Net income (loss)                                                                       9,552                      (31,286)
   Adjustments to reconcile net income
     (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
       Depreciation and amortization                                                         735                        2,556
       Interest related to convertible debentures and acquisition                            427                           --
       Purchased technology in progress                                                       --                       30,571
       Minority interests' share of income                                                    70                          240
       Decrease (increase) in:
         Accounts receivable                                                              (8,484)                       6,779
         Inventories                                                                      (3,026)                       5,339
         Deferred income taxes                                                                20                       (5,636) 
         Other assets                                                                        369                          891
       Increase (decrease) in:
         Accounts payable                                                                  4,921                      (20,670)
         Accrued liabilities                                                              (1,864)                     (10,559)
         Accrued restructuring                                                            (1,062)                       8,713
         Income taxes payable                                                                755                         (818)
         Deferred revenue                                                                 (1,026)                         938
         Accrued severance pay                                                               131                         (611)
                                                                           ----------------------      -----------------------

                   Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities                     1,518                      (13,553)
                                                                           ----------------------      -----------------------

         CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
         Purchases of property and equipment                                                (373)                      (4,117)
         Purchases of investments                                                        (31,178)                      (4,058)
         Proceeds from sale of investments                                                23,856                       64,231
         Cash used in acquisitions, net of cash received                                      --                      (41,946)    
                                                                           ----------------------      -----------------------

                     Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities                  (7,695)                       14,120
                                                                           ----------------------      -----------------------

         CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
         Net proceeds from issuance of common stock                                        3,114                          451
         Repurchase of common stock                                                       (4,230)                          --
         Proceeds from issuance of convertible debentures,
            net of loan acquisition costs                                                     --                       96,423     
         Principal payments on capital lease obligations                                    (172)                          30
                                                                           ----------------------      -----------------------

                    Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                   (1,288)                      96,904
                                                                           ----------------------      -----------------------

         EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES
                 ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                               (320)                          72

         NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH
                 AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                                     (7,785)                      97,543

         CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,
                beginning of period                                                       14,641                       19,428
                                                                           ----------------------      -----------------------

         CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,
               end of period                                                               6,856                      116,971
                                                                           ----------------------      -----------------------
</TABLE>

                             See accompanying notes

                                      F-24



<PAGE>   97


                            MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.       GENERAL

Basis of Presentation - The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of
Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not include all information and footnotes which
would be presented if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. These statements should be read in
conjunction with the audited financial statements presented in the Company's
Annual Report or Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.

In the opinion of management, these interim financial statements reflect all
normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the
financial position and results of operations for each of the periods presented.
The results of operations and cash flows for such periods are not necessarily
indicative of results to be expected for the full year.

2.       NET EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

The following schedule summarizes the information used to compute net income per
common share for the six months and three months ended June 30, 1997 and 1998
(in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                Six Months Ended                       
                                                        --------------------------------               
                                                           June 30,           June 30,                 
                                                             1997               1998                   
                                                          (Unaudited)        (Unaudited)               
                                                        -------------      -------------               
<S>                                                     <C>                <C>                         
Weighted number of common shares used to compute            22,501             26,440                  
basic earnings (loss) per share                                                                        
                                                                                                       
Weighted common share equivalents                            2,391                 --                  
                                                            ------             ------                  
                                                                                                       
Weighted number of common shares used to compute                                                       
 diluted earnings (loss) per share                          24,892             26,440                  
                                                            ======             ======                
</TABLE>


3.        COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

On January 1, 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive
Income." For year-end financial statements, SFAS 130 requires the display of
comprehensive income, which is the total of net income and all other non-owner
changes in equity, in a financial statement with the same prominence as other
consolidated financial statements. In addition, the standard encourages
companies to display the components of other comprehensive income below the
total for net income. The following schedule summarizes comprehensive income for
the six months and three months ended June 30, 1997 and 1998 (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                Six Months Ended                         
                                                         -------------------------------                 
                                                         June 30,              June 30,                  
                                                           1997                  1998                    
                                                        (Unaudited)           (Unaudited)                
                                                          --------              --------                 
<S>                                                       <C>                   <C>                      
Net (loss) income                                         $  9,552             $ (31,286)                
Translation adjustment                                        (230)                   66                 
                                                          --------              --------                 
Comprehensive (loss) income                               $  9,232              $(31,220)                
                                                          ========              ========                 
</TABLE>

The cumulative translation adjustment at June 30, 1998 was $(562,000).

4.       PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA

On January 30, 1998, MRV completed an acquisition from Whittaker Corporation
("Whittaker") of all of the outstanding capital stock of Whittaker Xyplex, Inc.
a Delaware corporation (the "Xyplex Acquisition"). Whittaker Xyplex, Inc.,
(whose name the Company has since changed to NBase Xyplex, Inc.) is a holding
corporation owning all of the outstanding capital stock of Xyplex, Inc., a
Massachusetts corporation ("Xyplex"). Xyplex is a leading provider of access
solutions between enterprise networks and wide area network and/or Internet
service providers ("ISPs"). The purchase price paid to Whittaker consisted of
$35,000,000 in cash and three-year warrants to purchase up to 500,000 shares
of Common Stock of the Company at an exercise price of $35 per share.


                                      F-25
<PAGE>   98

As a result of the acquisition, the Company adopted a restructuring plan in
March 1998. The plan calls for reduction of workforce, closing of certain
facilities, elimination of particular product lines, settlement of distribution
agreements and other costs. The Company provided $23,194,000 for the costs of
the restructuring.

The following unaudited pro forma summary sets forth results of operations of
excluding the unusual charges for purchased technology in progress and
restructuring resulting from the Xyplex Acquisition as if the acquisition took
place at the beginning of each period presented (in thousands, expect per share
information):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                              Six Months Ended               
                               --------------------------------------------  
                                      June 30,              June 30,         
                                       1997                  1998            
                                    (Unaudited)           (Unaudited)        
                               --------------------------------------------  

<S>                              <C>                   <C>                   
OPERATING INCOME                 $        14,235       $        21,708       

NET INCOME                       $         9,552       $        16,213       


- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------  

NET INCOME PER SHARE

      Basic                      $          0.42       $          0.61       

      Diluted                    $          0.38       $          0.57       

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------  

SHARES USED IN PER SHARE CALCULATION

      Basic                               22,501                26,440       

      Diluted                             24,892                28,493       

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------  
</TABLE>


                                      F-26

<PAGE>   99
 
             UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
     The following unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements give
effect to the Acquisition under the purchase method of accounting. The unaudited
pro forma consolidated financial statements are based on the historical
consolidated financial statements and notes there to (as applicable) of MRV
Communications, Inc. (MRV), which are included in MRV's Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1997, and the historical financial statements and notes
thereto (as applicable) of Xyplex Inc. (Xyplex) which are included elsewhere
herein. The unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet assumes that the
Xyplex Acquisition took place on December 31, 1997 and consolidates MRV's
December 31, 1997 consolidated balance sheet with Xyplex's October 31, 1997
balance sheet. The unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of income assumes
that the Acquisition took place as of January 1, 1997 and consolidates MRV's
consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 1997 with
Xyplex's statement of operations for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997.
 
     The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements are based on the
estimates and assumptions set forth in the notes to such statements. The pro
forma adjustments made in connection with the development of the pro forma
information are preliminary and have been made solely for purposes of developing
such pro forma information for illustrative purposes necessary to comply with
the disclosure requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements do not purport to be
indicative of the results of operations for future periods or the consolidated
financial position or the results that actually would have been realized had the
entities been consolidated during the period. The pro forma adjustments and
purchase price allocations are preliminary estimates only and are subject to
change. In connection with the Xyplex Acquisition, MRV expects to restructure
certain operations. The restructure is expected to include closing of certain
facilities, reductions in workforce and settlement of distribution agreements.
The pro forma adjustments and financial statements do not include any amounts
related to the restructure of operations due to the Xyplex Acquisition.
 
     MRV estimates that it will incur direct transaction costs of approximately
$2,500,000 associated with the Acquisition. The purchase price also includes
$7,000,000 as the fair value of certain warrants given to the seller. The
warrants were valued using the Black Scholes method.
 
     These unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements should be read
in conjunction with the historical consolidated financial statements and the
related notes thereto of MRV, which are included in MRV's Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1997, and the historical financial statements and the related
notes thereto of Xyplex, which are included elsewhere herein.
 
                                      F-27
<PAGE>   100
 
                            MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
                 UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                            AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               MRV
                                         COMMUNICATIONS,    XYPLEX
                                              INC.           INC.                         PRO FORMA
                                              1997           1997      ADJUSTMENTS       CONSOLIDATED
                                         ---------------    -------    -----------       ------------
<S>                                      <C>                <C>        <C>               <C>
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents............     $ 19,428        $ 1,037     $ (1,925)(4)       $ 18,540
  Notes receivable.....................           --              8           --                  8
  Short-term investments...............       36,413             --      (35,000)(1)          1,413
  Accounts receivable, net.............       47,258         12,319       (1,500)(1)         58,077
  Inventories..........................       41,689          3,276       (1,500)(1)         43,465
  Deferred income tax asset............        2,280          5,071           --              7,351
  Other current........................        7,248            864           --              8,112
                                            --------        -------     --------           --------
          Total current assets.........      154,316         22,575      (39,925)           136,966
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net.....        8,183          4,832        2,000(1)          15,015
OTHER ASSETS:
  Investments..........................       62,382             --           --             62,382
  Deferred income tax asset............        6,231             --           --              6,231
  Goodwill, net........................        5,077             --        9,500(1)
                                                                          (1,350)(3)         13,227
  Other intangibles....................           --         21,607      (21,607)(1)             --
  Other................................           47            320           --                367
                                            --------        -------     --------           --------
                                              73,737         21,927      (11,457)            82,207
                                            $236,236        $49,334     $(51,382)          $234,188
                                            ========        =======     ========           ========
</TABLE>
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements.
                                      F-28
<PAGE>   101
 
                            MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
                 UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                            AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     MRV
                                            COMMUNICATIONS, INC.    XYPLEX INC.                   PRO FORMA
                                                    1997               1997       ADJUSTMENTS    CONSOLIDATED
                                            ---------------------   -----------   -----------    ------------
<S>                                         <C>                     <C>           <C>            <C>
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Current portion of capital lease
     obligations..........................        $    111            $    57      $     --        $    168
  Accounts payable........................          30,439              5,257         2,500(1)       38,196
  Accrued liabilities.....................           8,429              6,614         1,203(1)       16,246
  Customer deposit........................             293                 --                           293
  Income taxes payable....................           3,485                 --          (600)(5)       2,885
  Deferred revenue........................              --              3,296                         3,296
                                                  --------            -------      --------        --------
          Total current liabilities.......          42,757             15,224         3,103          61,084
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
  Capital lease obligations, net of
     current portion......................             788                112            --             900
  Other long-term liabilities.............           2,065                 --            --           2,065
  Deferred income taxes...................              --              5,688            --           5,688
  Due to parent company...................              --              6,932        (6,932)(1)          --
                                                  --------            -------      --------        --------
          Total long-term liabilities.....           2,853             12,732        (6,932)          8,653
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
MINORITY INTEREST.........................             657                 --            --             657
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  Preferred stock, $0.01 par value:.......              --                 --            --              --
     Authorized -- 1,000 shares; no shares
       issued or outstanding
  Common stock, $0.0034 par value:
     Authorized -- 40,000 shares Issued
       and outstanding -- 26,360..........              88                 --                            88
  Capital in excess of par value..........         175,874                 --         7,000(1)      182,874
  Retained earnings (deficit).............          14,635                 --       (33,175)(6)     (18,540)
  Cumulative translation adjustments......            (628)                --            --            (628)
  PARENT COMPANY INVESTMENT...............              --             21,378       (21,378)(1)          --
                                                  --------            -------      --------        --------
                                                   189,969             21,378       (47,553)        163,794
                                                  $236,236            $49,334      $(51,382)       $234,188
                                                  ========            =======      ========        ========
</TABLE>
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements.
                                      F-29
<PAGE>   102
 
                            MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
                  UNAUDITED PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXPECT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             MRV
                                       COMMUNICATIONS,     XYPLEX
                                            INC.            INC.                          PRO FORMA
                                            1997            1997      ADJUSTMENTS        CONSOLIDATED
                                       ---------------    --------    -----------        ------------
<S>                                    <C>                <C>         <C>                <C>
REVENUES, net........................     $165,471        $ 75,663     $     --            $241,134
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
  Cost of goods sold.................       94,709          37,004           --             131,713
  Research and development
     expenses........................       13,093          13,465           --              26,558
  Selling, general and administrative
     expenses........................       27,365          33,712           --              61,077
  Purchased technology in progress...           --              --       30,500(1)           30,500
  Parent company allocations.........           --           3,346           --               3,346
  Amortization of goodwill and other
     intangible assets...............           --          12,064        1,350(3)           13,414
  Impairment of goodwill and other
     intangible assets...............           --          63,172      (63,172)(2)(6)           --
                                          --------        --------     --------            --------
                                           135,167         162,763      (31,322)            266,608
                                          --------        --------     --------            --------
  Operating income (loss)............       30,304         (87,100)      31,322             (25,474)
                                          --------        --------     --------            --------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
  Interest expense related to
     convertible debentures and
     acquisition.....................         (843)             --           --                (843)
  Minority interest..................         (146)             --           --                (146)
  Interest income....................        2,841              18       (1,925)(4)             934
  Interest expense...................         (118)             (5)          --                (123)
  Other..............................           21              --           --                  21
                                          --------        --------     --------            --------
                                             1,755              13       (1,925)               (157)
                                          --------        --------     --------            --------
  Income (loss) before provision
     (benefit) for income taxes......       32,059         (87,087)      29,397             (25,631)
PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAX...        9,474          (6,778)        (600)(5)           2,096
                                          --------        --------     --------            --------
NET INCOME (LOSS)....................     $ 22,585        $(80,309)    $ 29,997(6)         $(27,727)
                                          ========        ========     ========            ========
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE
  INFORMATION:
  Basic earnings (loss) per common
     share...........................     $   0.95                                         $  (1.17)
  Diluted earnings (loss) per common
     share...........................     $   0.88                                         $  (1.17)
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER
  OF COMMON SHARES
  OUTSTANDING:
  Basic..............................       23,670                                           23,670
  Diluted............................       25,734                                           23,670
</TABLE>
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements.
                                      F-30
<PAGE>   103
 
                            MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
 
           NOTES AND ASSUMPTIONS TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED
                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ADJUSTMENT
  NUMBER                               COMMENTS
- ----------                             --------
<C>          <S>                                                           <C>
   (1)       The purchase price of Xyplex and the estimated allocation of the purchase
             price is summarized as follows:
             Cash........................................................  $35,000,000
             Warrants....................................................    7,000,000
             Other costs.................................................    2,500,000
                                                                           -----------
                                                                           $44,500,000
                                                                           ===========
             PARENT COMPANY INVESTMENT...................................  $21,378,000
             Add -- Due to parent........................................    6,932,000
                                                                           -----------
                                                                            28,310,000
             Less -- Intangibles per Xyplex..............................   21,607,000
             -- Other write-offs.........................................    4,203,000
                                                                           -----------
             Net assets before allocation of purchase price..............    2,500,000
             Allocation of purchase price to --
             Purchased technology in progress............................   30,500,000
             Goodwill and other intangibles..............................    9,500,000
             Property, Plant & Equipment.................................    2,000,000
                                                                           -----------
                                                                           $44,500,000
                                                                           ===========
   (2)       In the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997, Xyplex recorded an impairment
             loss of $63,172,000 related to goodwill. This pro forma adjustment
             reflects results as if the write-off was recorded prior to November 1,
             1996.
   (3)       To record the amortization of $9,500,000 of goodwill over 7 years or
             approximately $1,350,000 per year.
   (4)       To reduce interest income by $1,925,000 to reflect use of investments of
             $35,000,000 to fund purchase price, assumes 5.5 percent return on
             investments.
   (5)       After the above pro forma adjustments the income (loss) before provision
             for income tax was a pro forma loss of $29,397,000. This adjustment
             reflects the recording of a tax benefit related to the taxable portion 
             of the loss at an estimated effective rate of 30 percent or $600,000.
   (6)       The net effect on 1997 income of the pro forma adjustments is
             $29,997,000. The net effect on retained earnings (deficit) is $(33,175,000),
             as $63,172,000 of the adjustments to the operations were to move expense 
             from 1997 to earlier periods.
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-31
<PAGE>   104
 
                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
Board of Directors
Whittaker Corporation
 
     We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Xyplex, Inc. (the
Company) as of October 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related statements of
operations, changes in stockholder's equity, and cash flows for the year ended
October 31, 1997 and the period from April 10, 1996 to October 31, 1996. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Xyplex, Inc. at October 31,
1997 and 1996, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year
ended October 31, 1997 and the period from April 10, 1996 to October 31, 1996,
in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          /s/ ERNST & YOUNG
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
November 26, 1997, except
Note 13, as to which the
date is March 11, 1998
 
                                      F-32
<PAGE>   105
 
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  OCTOBER 31,
                                                              -------------------
                                                               1997        1996
                                                              -------    --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Cash and cash equivalents...................................  $ 1,037    $  1,225
Notes receivable............................................        8         344
Accounts receivable, less reserve of $1,712 and $1,042 in
  1997 and 1996, respectively...............................   12,319      14,543
Inventory...................................................    3,276       6,694
Deferred income taxes.......................................    5,071       6,281
Prepaid expenses and other current assets...................      864         928
                                                              -------    --------
Total current assets........................................   22,575      30,015
                                                              -------    --------
Property and equipment, net.................................    4,832       6,974
Other assets................................................      320       1,464
Goodwill....................................................       --      61,025
Developed technology........................................    7,968      13,344
Customer relations..........................................   12,110      19,264
Other intangible assets.....................................    1,529       3,556
                                                              -------    --------
Total assets................................................  $49,334    $135,642
                                                              =======    ========
 
LIABILITIES AND PARENT COMPANY INVESTMENT
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable..........................................  $ 5,257    $  5,964
  Accrued payroll taxes and deductions......................      489         130
  Accrued warranty expense..................................    1,029       1,183
  Other accrued expenses....................................    5,096       6,265
  Deferred revenue..........................................    3,296       3,359
  Current portion of capital lease obligations..............       57         150
                                                              -------    --------
Total current liabilities...................................   15,224      17,051
                                                              -------    --------
Long-term portion of capital lease obligations..............      112          --
Deferred income taxes.......................................    5,688      11,197
Due to parent company.......................................    6,932       4,290
Commitments and contingencies
Parent company investment...................................   21,378     103,104
                                                              -------    --------
Total liabilities and parent company investment.............  $49,334    $135,642
                                                              =======    ========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
                                      F-33
<PAGE>   106
 
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       PERIOD
                                                                 YEAR ENDED       APRIL 10, 1996 TO
                                                              OCTOBER 31, 1997    OCTOBER 31, 1996
                                                              ----------------    -----------------
<S>                                                           <C>                 <C>
Net sales...................................................      $ 75,663            $ 52,021
Cost of sales...............................................        37,004              25,168
                                                                  --------            --------
Gross profit................................................        38,659              26,853
Operating expenses:
  Selling and marketing.....................................        25,542              17,963
  General and administrative................................         8,170               2,719
  Research and development..................................        13,465               7,797
  Parent company allocations................................         3,346               1,895
  Amortization of goodwill and other intangible assets......        12,064               4,827
  Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets........        63,172                  --
  Write off of acquired in-process research and
     development............................................            --              11,700
                                                                  --------            --------
          Total operating expenses..........................       125,759              46,901
                                                                  --------            --------
Operating loss..............................................       (87,100)            (20,048)
Interest expense............................................            (5)                 (9)
Interest income.............................................            18                  --
                                                                  --------            --------
Net loss before income tax benefit..........................       (87,087)            (20,057)
Benefit from federal income taxes...........................        (6,778)             (6,704)
                                                                  --------            --------
Net loss....................................................      $(80,309)           $(13,353)
                                                                  ========            ========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
                                      F-34
<PAGE>   107
 
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                 STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
                   PERIOD APRIL 10, 1996 TO OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                PARENT
                                                               COMPANY
                                                              INVESTMENT
                                                              ----------
<S>                                                           <C>
Acquisition by Whittaker....................................   $116,457
Net loss....................................................    (13,353)
                                                               --------
Balance at October 31, 1996.................................    103,104
Dividend to parent..........................................     (1,417)
Net loss....................................................    (80,309)
                                                               --------
Balance at October 31, 1997.................................   $ 21,378
                                                               ========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
                                      F-35
<PAGE>   108
 
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             PERIOD APRIL 10,
                                                              YEAR ENDED         1996 TO
                                                              OCTOBER 31,      OCTOBER 31,
                                                                 1997              1996
                                                              -----------    ----------------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss....................................................   $(80,309)         $(13,353)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by
  operating activities:
  Depreciation and amortization.............................     16,050             6,855
  Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets........     63,172                --
  Loss on sale and retirement of equipment..................        241                34
  Write off of acquired in-process research and
     development............................................         --            11,700
  Write off of other intangible assets......................        220                --
  Deferred income tax benefit...............................     (4,299)           (5,278)
  Deferred revenue..........................................        (63)              (37)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
  Accounts receivable.......................................        807             2,647
  Inventory.................................................      3,418                68
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets.................         64               269
  Accounts payable..........................................        439            (1,846)
  Accrued expenses..........................................       (363)           (4,648)
                                                               --------          --------
Net cash used in operating activities.......................       (623)           (3,589)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of equipment.......................................     (1,940)           (1,017)
Proceeds from sale of equipment.............................         45                --
Notes receivable............................................        336                --
Other.......................................................        662            (1,358)
                                                               --------          --------
Net cash used in investing activities.......................       (897)           (2,375)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Change in cash overdrafts...................................     (1,146)             (450)
Principal payments on capital lease obligations.............       (164)             (243)
Net receipts from parent company............................      2,642             4,290
                                                               --------          --------
Net cash provided by financing activities...................      1,332             3,597
                                                               --------          --------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents...................       (188)           (2,367)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period........      1,225             3,592
                                                               --------          --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period..............   $  1,037          $  1,225
                                                               ========          ========
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
  Cash paid during the period for:
     Interest...............................................   $     13          $     23
     Income taxes...........................................        388               115
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
                                      F-36
<PAGE>   109
 
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                OCTOBER 31, 1997
 
 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Basis of Presentation
 
     Xyplex, Inc. (the Company or Xyplex) designs, manufactures, markets and
supports data networking products. On April 10, 1996, Xyplex was acquired by
Whittaker Corporation (Whittaker) for total consideration of $116.5 million,
and, during the period from April 10, 1996 to January 13, 1997, Xyplex was a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Whittaker. Since January 13, 1997, the Company has
been owned by Whittaker Xyplex, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Whittaker.
Pursuant to the purchase method of accounting, the assets and liabilities
acquired by Whittaker were revalued to their fair value at the date of
acquisition. As a result of the transaction, the Company recorded intangible
assets of $37.2 million and goodwill of $62.8 million. Acquired in-process
research and development valued at $11.7 million was expensed at the acquisition
date.
 
     The accompanying historical financial statements represent the Company's
results of operations and its financial condition as a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Whittaker. Interest expense associated with Whittaker's general corporate
debt has not been allocated to the Company's financial statements. Certain costs
and expenses presented in the financial statements represent intercompany
allocations and management's estimates of the costs of services provided to the
Company by Whittaker. During the first quarter of 1997, certain operations of
another subsidiary of Whittaker were integrated into the operations of the
Company. The financial statements of the Company for 1997 reflect the results of
operations and its financial position net of certain costs and balance sheet
amounts allocated to this integrated operation. (See Note 2 for further
discussion of allocations and amounts due to parent company.)
 
  Parent Company Investment
 
     The parent company investment account represents the net assets of the
Company and includes a $1.4 million dividend distribution in the form of a
transfer of assets to Whittaker in 1997.
 
  Use of Estimates
 
     The accompanying financial statements include the accounts of the Company.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles may require management to make certain estimates and
assumptions that could affect the amounts reported in the financial statements
and accompanying notes. Actual costs could differ from those estimates.
 
  Revenue Recognition
 
     The Company recognizes product revenue upon shipment of goods and software.
Maintenance and support fees greater than $10,000 are recognized ratably over
the life of the contract.
 
  Inventory
 
     Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or
market.
 
                                      F-37
<PAGE>   110
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                                OCTOBER 31, 1997
 
 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
  Property and Equipment
 
     Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures for maintenance
and repairs are charged to expense, while the costs of significant improvements
are capitalized. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method and
allocates the cost of these assets over their estimated useful lives as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  ESTIMATED
             ASSET CLASSIFICATION                USEFUL LIFE
             --------------------               -------------
<S>                                             <C>
Equipment.....................................   3 - 5 years
Computer equipment............................     3 years
Furniture and fixtures........................     5 years
Leasehold improvements........................  Term of lease
Equipment under capital lease.................  Term of lease
</TABLE>
 
     Upon retirement or sale, the cost of assets disposed and the related
accumulated depreciation are eliminated, and the related gains or losses are
reflected in income.
 
  Intangible Assets
 
     Until May of 1997, goodwill and other intangible assets were amortized on a
straight-line basis over periods of 20 years in the case of goodwill, 15 years
in the case of developed technologies and customer relations, and five years in
the case of other intangible assets. Beginning in May of 1997, the amortization
periods for goodwill and customer relations were reduced to seven years.
 
     At October 31, 1997 and 1996, intangible assets consisted of the following
(in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          1997                       1996
                                                 -----------------------    -----------------------
                                                            ACCUMULATED                ACCUMULATED
                                                  COST      AMORTIZATION     COST      AMORTIZATION
                                                 -------    ------------    -------    ------------
<S>                                              <C>        <C>             <C>        <C>
Goodwill.......................................                             $62,786       $1,761
Developed technology...........................  $12,624       $4,656        15,000        1,656
Customer relations.............................   16,388        4,278        20,000          736
Other intangibles..............................    4,141        2,612         4,956        1,400
</TABLE>
 
  Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
 
     When indicators of impairment of long-lived assets used in operations or
long-lived assets to be disposed of are present, and the undiscounted future
cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying
value of such assets, an impairment loss would be recorded by the Company (see
Note 3).
 
  Research and Development and Software Development Costs
 
     Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred. In
accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 86,
capitalization of internally developed computer software costs begins upon the
establishment of technological feasibility. The Company believes that once a
working model has been established, the additional development costs to bring
the product to a commercially acceptable level are not significant. There were
no software development costs capitalized as of October 31, 1997 and 1996.
 
                                      F-38
<PAGE>   111
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                                OCTOBER 31, 1997
 
 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
  Income Taxes
 
     The Company records income taxes based on an asset and liability approach
which results in the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the
expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the book and
tax bases of assets and liabilities. For purposes of these financial statements,
income taxes have been calculated as if Xyplex had prepared a tax return on a
stand-alone basis.
 
  New Accounting Standards
 
     In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS
No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income, effective for the 1999 fiscal year.
SFAS No. 130 establishes standards for reporting and displaying comprehensive
income and its components in the financial statements. Comprehensive income is
defined as the change in the equity of a business enterprise during a period
from transactions and other events from nonowner sources. The Company does not
expect the adoption of SFAS No. 130 will have a material effect on its financial
statements.
 
     In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of
an Enterprise and Related Information, effective for the 1999 fiscal year. SFAS
No. 131 requires the reporting of certain information about operating segments
of a business enterprise and supersedes SFAS No. 14, Financial Reporting for
Segments of a Business Enterprise, but retains the requirements to report
information about major customers. The Company does not expect the adoption of
SFAS No. 131 to have a material effect on its financial statements.
 
 2. ALLOCATED COSTS AND DUE TO PARENT COMPANY
 
     The historical statements of operations include charges from Whittaker
representing the Company's share of the cost of support services provided. These
charges are allocations of allowable corporate expenses, as defined in the
Federal Acquisitions Regulation, associated with legal, marketing, management
and financial services. The basis of the allocation is the Company's relative
amount of payroll, sales and the year-to-date change in fixed assets and
inventory compared to Whittaker's consolidated balances for such amounts.
 
     Following the acquisition of the Company by Whittaker, the Company has
participated in the Whittaker cash management program. All of this cash
management activity is reflected in "due to parent company." Intercompany
activity also includes, among other things, allocations of corporate expenses,
state and federal income tax payments and credits, and insurance costs. An
analysis of due to parent company for the period from April 10, 1996 to October
31, 1997 is as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Balance at April 10, 1996...................................  $    --
  Net cash transferred from parent company..................   (2,747)
  Allocation of costs from parent company...................   (1,895)
  Net payments on behalf of affiliates......................      352
                                                              -------
Balance at October 31, 1996.................................   (4,290)
                                                              -------
  Net cash transferred from parent company..................   (4,157)
  Allocation of costs from parent company...................   (3,605)
  Net payments on behalf of affiliates......................      345
  Transfers to affiliates...................................    4,775
                                                              -------
Balance at October 31, 1997.................................  $(6,932)
                                                              =======
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-39
<PAGE>   112
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                                OCTOBER 31, 1997
 
 2. ALLOCATED COSTS AND DUE TO PARENT COMPANY (CONTINUED)
     The average amount due to parent for the year ended October 31, 1997 and
the period from April 10, 1996 to October 31, 1996 was $6.3 million and $4.1
million, respectively.
 
     During the first quarter of 1997, certain operations of Whittaker
Communications, Inc., another wholly-owned subsidiary of Whittaker formerly
located in Santa Clara, California, were integrated into the Company. The
results of operations and the financial position of the two operations are
segregated and reported separately. This segregation procedure involves the
allocation of certain costs and balance sheet amounts which cannot be directly
assigned to the appropriate operation.
 
     Management of the Company believes the methods used to allocate the costs
are reasonable based on the Company's use of such services.
 
 3. IMPAIRMENT CHARGE
 
     In connection with the April 1996 acquisition of the Company by Whittaker,
goodwill and other intangible assets of $62.8 million and $37.2 million,
respectively, were recorded. These assets were being amortized, on a
straight-line basis, over periods of 20 years in the case of goodwill and five
to 15 years in the case of other intangible assets. During the third quarter of
1997, the Company reduced the amortization periods for goodwill and certain
other intangible assets from 20 and 15 years, respectively, to seven years. This
adjustment resulted in an $8.1 million goodwill and other intangible asset
impairment charge which represents the increased amortization from the date of
acquisition to the beginning of the third quarter of 1997. As a result of the
Company's declining revenues and continued operating losses in 1997, an
additional goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charge of $55.1
million was recorded by the Company in the fourth quarter of 1997. The fair
value of these assets was based on the estimated value of consideration offered
to Whittaker by a third party in November 1997 for the sale of the Company.
 
 4. INVENTORY
 
     Inventories, net of reserves for excess and obsolete inventory of $3.0
million and $7.0 million at October 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively, consist of
the following (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      1997      1996
                                                     ------    ------
<S>                                                  <C>       <C>
Raw materials......................................  $  410    $  928
Work in process....................................     319     2,002
Finished goods.....................................   2,547     3,764
                                                     ------    ------
                                                     $3,276    $6,694
                                                     ======    ======
</TABLE>
 
     Work in process and finished goods inventories include materials, labor and
manufacturing overhead.
 
                                      F-40
<PAGE>   113
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                                OCTOBER 31, 1997
 
 5. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
     Property and equipment at October 31, 1997 and 1996 consist of the
following (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1997       1996
                                                           -------    -------
<S>                                                        <C>        <C>
Equipment................................................  $ 5,669    $ 6,381
Furniture and fixtures...................................      990      1,167
Leasehold improvements...................................      752        852
Equipment under capital lease............................      444        452
Construction in progress.................................      104         57
                                                           -------    -------
                                                             7,959      8,909
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization...........   (3,127)    (1,935)
                                                           -------    -------
                                                           $ 4,832    $ 6,974
                                                           =======    =======
</TABLE>
 
     Depreciation expense, which includes amortization expense of assets under
capital leases, was approximately $4.0 million and $2.0 million for the twelve
months ended October 31, 1997 and the period April 10, 1996 to October 31, 1996,
respectively.
 
     Equipment under capital leases has accumulated amortization of $0.2 million
and $0.2 million as of October 31, 1997 and 1996. Acquisitions of equipment
under capital lease obligations totaled $0.2 million in 1997. There were no such
acquisitions in 1996.
 
 6. LONG-TERM DEBT
 
     Long-term debt at October 31, 1997 and 1996 consisted of the following
(dollars in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  1997                 1996
                                            -----------------    -----------------
                                                     WEIGHTED             WEIGHTED
                                                     AVERAGE              AVERAGE
                                                     INTEREST             INTEREST
                                            AMOUNT     RATE      AMOUNT     RATE
                                            ------   --------    ------   --------
<S>                                         <C>      <C>         <C>      <C>
Capitalized lease obligations with monthly
  installments through July of 2000, with
  interest rates ranging to 11.36%........   $169     9.15%       $150     7.05%
Less current maturities...................     57                  150
                                             ----                 ----
                                             $112                 $ --
                                             ====                 ====
</TABLE>
 
     Since April 10, 1996, the Company has guaranteed the obligations of
Whittaker under Whittaker's bank credit agreement. Since such date, the Company
has also pledged its accounts receivable, inventory, equipment and certain other
assets to secure such obligations.
 
                                      F-41
<PAGE>   114
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                                OCTOBER 31, 1997
 
 7. INCOME TAXES
 
     Income tax benefit for the year ended October 31, 1997 and the period from
April 10, 1996 to October 31, 1996 consists of the following (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1997       1996
                                                           -------    -------
<S>                                                        <C>        <C>
Components of the provision:
  Federal................................................  $(6,778)   $(5,972)
  State..................................................       --       (732)
                                                           -------    -------
                                                           $(6,778)   $(6,704)
                                                           =======    =======
Classification of the provision:
  Current................................................  $(2,479)   $(1,426)
  Deferred...............................................   (4,299)    (5,278)
                                                           -------    -------
                                                           $(6,778)   $(6,704)
                                                           =======    =======
</TABLE>
 
     Foreign income taxes were not material.
 
     A reconciliation of income tax computed at the U.S. federal statutory tax
rate to the effective tax rate for the year ended October 31, 1997 and the
period from April 10, 1996 to October 31, 1996 is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1997     1996
                                                              -----    -----
<S>                                                           <C>      <C>
U.S. federal statutory rate.................................  (34.0)%  (34.0)%
State taxes, net of U.S. federal income tax benefit.........    0.0     (2.4)
Goodwill amortization.......................................   24.1      3.0
Valuation allowance.........................................    1.8      0.0
Other items.................................................    0.3      0.0
                                                              -----    -----
Effective tax rate..........................................   (7.8)%  (33.4)%
                                                              =====    =====
</TABLE>
 
     Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences
between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial
statements and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components
of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities at October 31, 1997 and
1996 were as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            1997       1996
                                                           -------    -------
<S>                                                        <C>        <C>
Deferred tax assets:
  Receivables valuation..................................  $   719    $   438
  Inventory valuation....................................    2,023      4,277
  Excess of book over tax depreciation...................    1,689      1,081
  Benefits from net operating loss carryforward..........    1,584         --
  Other..................................................    3,670      3,806
                                                           -------    -------
Total before valuation allowance.........................    9,685      9,602
Valuation allowance......................................   (1,584)        --
                                                           -------    -------
Net deferred tax assets..................................  $ 8,101    $ 9,602
                                                           =======    =======
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Intangible assets......................................  $ 8,718    $14,518
                                                           =======    =======
</TABLE>
 
     In 1997 and 1996, the Company was reimbursed by its Parent $3.5 million and
$1.6 million, respectively, for the tax benefit of its sustained losses. In
1997, the Company established a full allowance against its net
 
                                      F-42
<PAGE>   115
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                                OCTOBER 31, 1997
 
 7. INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
operating loss carryforward in compliance with SFAS No. 109. At October 31,
1997, the Company has $4.7 million total net operating loss carryforwards, which
will expire in the years 2011 and 2012.
 
 8. 401(k) RETIREMENT PLAN
 
     The Company sponsors a defined contribution 401(k) plan covering a majority
of its domestic employees under which participants can make pretax contributions
of up to 15% of eligible compensation and receive a matching contribution of 75%
on up to 6% of their eligible compensation. The Company has recorded as expense
for the year ended October 31, 1997 and the period April 10, 1996 to October 31,
1996 $0.8 million and $0.2 million, respectively, representing its contributions
to this plan.
 
 9. LEASE COMMITMENTS
 
     The Company has both operating and capital lease commitments for certain
facilities and equipment. Future minimum payments under capital leases and under
noncancellable operating leases, net of rentals to be received from existing
noncancellable operating subleases, as of October 31, 1997 were as follows (in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              OPERATING    CAPITAL
                            YEAR                               LEASES      LEASES
                            ----                              ---------    -------
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
1998........................................................   $1,329       $ 70
1999........................................................      664         70
2000........................................................      414         52
2001........................................................      281         --
                                                               ------       ----
          Total minimum lease payments......................   $2,688        192
                                                               ======
Less amount representing interest...........................                  23
                                                                            ----
Present value of net minimum lease payments.................                $169
                                                                            ====
</TABLE>
 
     Rent expense was $2.6 million and $1.6 million for the year ended October
31, 1997 and the period from April 10, 1996 to October 31, 1996, respectively.
 
10. SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS AND EXPORT SALES
 
     No single customer accounted for more than 10% of net sales during 1997 or
1996. Export sales as a percentage of net sales for the year ended October 31,
1997 and the period from April 10, 1996 to October 31, 1996 were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  1997    1996
                                                  ----    ----
<S>                                               <C>     <C>
Europe..........................................  13.5%   13.9%
Pacific Rim.....................................   4.5     3.9
Canada..........................................   4.5     4.8
Other...........................................   7.1     5.8
                                                  ----    ----
                                                  29.6%   28.4%
                                                  ====    ====
</TABLE>
 
11. EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
     During 1997, the Company initiated a long-term retention bonus program
covering certain key employees. Payments under the plan will be made, on varying
dates from March 1998 to December 1998, to individuals covered under the plan
who are active, full-time employees of the Company at various dates
                                      F-43
<PAGE>   116
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                                OCTOBER 31, 1997
 
11. EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS (CONTINUED)
ranging from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 1998. Potential payments under the
program total approximately $1.7 million.
 
12. YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE (UNAUDITED)
 
     In 1997, the Company upgraded its information management system to be Year
2000 compliant. The Company has also communicated with its suppliers and others
it does business with and has addressed any significant issues identified. No
further significant expenditures are expected to be made related to Year 2000
compliance.
 
13. EVENTS SUBSEQUENT TO DATE OF REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
     On January 30, 1998, Whittaker sold all of the common stock of its
wholly-owned subsidiary, Whittaker Xyplex, Inc., which, since January 13, 1997,
has been the parent company of Xyplex, Inc., to MRV Communications, Inc. (MRV)
for $35 million in cash plus warrants to purchase 421,402 shares of common stock
of MRV. Whittaker shall be entitled to receive warrants to purchase an
additional 78,598 shares of common stock of MRV upon Whittaker's timely
performance of certain covenants. The stock purchase agreement provides for the
reattribution of the Company's net operating losses to Whittaker. Concurrently
with the sale of the Company, the liens on the Company's assets securing
Whittaker's obligations under Whittaker's bank credit agreement were released,
and the Company's guarantee of such obligations was canceled.
 
                                      F-44
<PAGE>   117
 
                         [COOPERS & LYBRAND LETTERHEAD]
 
                       REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
To the Board of Directors of
Raytheon Company:
 
     We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Xyplex, Inc. as of April
9, 1996, and the related statements of loss, parent company investment and cash
flows for the period January 1, 1996 through April 9, 1996. These financial
statements are the responsibility of management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
 
     We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     As discussed in Note 1, interest expense associated with Raytheon Company's
general corporate debt bas not been allocated to Xyplex, Inc.'s financial
statements. Also as discussed in Note 1, Xyplex, Inc. has earned interest income
primarily on its intercompany receivable from Raytheon based on an agreed-upon
rate. As discussed in Note 2, certain costs and expenses presented in the
financial statements represent allocations of the costs of services provided to
Xyplex, Inc. by Raytheon Company. As a result of these factors, the financial
statements presented may not be indicative of the financial position or results
of operations that would have been achieved had Xyplex, Inc. operated as a
nonaffiliated entity.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Xyplex, Inc. as of April 9,
1996, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period
January 1, 1996 through April 9, 1996 in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
 
                                                   /s/ COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
 
Boston, Massachusetts
May 24, 1996
 
                                      F-45
<PAGE>   118
 
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEET
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              APRIL 9, 1996
                                                              -------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents.................................  $    200,000
  Accounts receivable, less reserve of $585,000.............    18,159,000
  Inventory.................................................     9,695,000
  Other current assets......................................       922,000
  Receivable from parent company............................    32,412,000
                                                              ------------
          Total current assets..............................    61,388,000
Property and equipment, net.................................     7,840,000
Deferred tax asset..........................................     6,790,000
Other assets................................................     2,025,000
Goodwill....................................................    83,357,000
                                                              ------------
          Total assets......................................  $161,400,000
                                                              ============
 
                 LIABILITIES AND PARENT COMPANY INVESTMENT
Current liabilities:
  Current portion of capital lease obligations..............       366,000
  Accounts payable..........................................     5,392,000
  Accrued payroll and employee benefits.....................     4,386,000
  Other accrued expenses....................................     1,973,000
  Deferred revenue..........................................     3,900,000
                                                              ------------
          Total current liabilities.........................    16,017,000
Long-term portion of capital lease obligations..............        27,000
Commitments and contingencies
Parent company investment...................................   145,356,000
                                                              ------------
          Total liabilities and parent company investment...  $161,400,000
                                                              ============
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
                                      F-46
<PAGE>   119
 
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                               STATEMENT OF LOSS
              FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 1996 THROUGH APRIL 9, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Net sales...................................................  $28,100,000
Cost of sales...............................................   13,141,000
                                                              -----------
Gross profit................................................   14,959,000
                                                              -----------
Operating expenses:
  Selling and marketing.....................................    9,456,000
  General and administrative................................    1,573,000
  Research and development..................................    4,458,000
  Parent company allocations................................      100,000
  Amortization of goodwill..................................    2,267,000
                                                              -----------
          Total operating expenses..........................   17,854,000
                                                              -----------
Loss from operations........................................   (2,895,000)
Interest expense............................................      (10,000)
Interest income from parent company.........................      698,000
                                                              -----------
Net loss before income tax provision........................   (2,207,000)
Provision for federal income taxes..........................       62,000
                                                              -----------
Net loss....................................................  $(2,269,000)
                                                              ===========
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
                                      F-47
<PAGE>   120
 
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                     STATEMENT OF PARENT COMPANY INVESTMENT
              FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 1996 THROUGH APRIL 9, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 PARENT
                                                                COMPANY
                                                               INVESTMENT
                                                              ------------
<S>                                                           <C>
Balance, January 1, 1996....................................  $147,625,000
Net loss....................................................    (2,269,000)
                                                              ------------
Balance, April 9, 1996......................................  $145,356,000
                                                              ============
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
                                      F-48
<PAGE>   121
 
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                            STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
              FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 1, 1996 THROUGH APRIL 9, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net loss..................................................  $(2,269,000)
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in
     operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization..........................    3,554,000
     Deferred income tax provision..........................     (654,000)
     Changes in assets and liabilities:
       Accounts receivable..................................    1,425,000
       Inventory............................................     (721,000)
       Other current assets.................................     (132,000)
       Accounts payable and accrued expenses................   (4,508,000)
       Deferred revenue.....................................      766,000
                                                              -----------
          Net cash used in operating activities.............   (2,539,000)
                                                              -----------
Cash flows from investing activities:
     Purchase and sale of equipment, net....................   (1,154,000)
     Purchase of licenses and other intangible assets.......     (112,000)
     Proceeds from maturities of securities.................      400,000
                                                              -----------
          Net cash used in investing activities.............     (866,000)
                                                              -----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
     Increase in accounts payable related to cash
      overdrafts............................................    2,293,000
     Payments of capital leases.............................     (163,000)
     Net receipts from parent company.......................    1,362,000
                                                              -----------
          Net cash provided by financing activities.........    3,492,000
                                                              -----------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents...................       87,000
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period..............      113,000
                                                              -----------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period....................  $   200,000
                                                              ===========
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
                                      F-49
<PAGE>   122
 
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Basis of Presentation
 
     Xyplex, Inc. (the "Company" or "Xyplex") designs, manufactures, markets and
supports data networks. On October 7, 1994, Xyplex was acquired by Raytheon
Company ("Raytheon") for total consideration of $186,000,000. Pursuant to the
purchase method of accounting, the assets and liabilities acquired by Raytheon
were revalued to their fair value. The excess of the purchase price over the
fair value of the net assets acquired was approximately $125,000,000 and
accordingly, goodwill and the parent company investment were increased by
$125,000,000. Effective on the close of business on April 9, 1996, Xyplex was
acquired by Whittaker Corporation.
 
     The accompanying historical financial statements present the Company's
results of operations and its financial condition as a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Raytheon from January 1, 1996 through April 9, 1996. Interest expense
associated with Raytheon's general corporate debt has not been allocated to the
Company's financial statements. Certain costs and expenses presented in the
financial statements represent intercompany allocations and management's
estimates of the costs of services provided to the Company by Raytheon. (See
Note 2 for further discussion of allocations.) Additionally, as discussed in
further detail below, Xyplex earned interest income primarily on its
intercompany receivable from Raytheon based on an agreed-upon rate. As a result
of these factors, the financial statements presented may not be indicative of
the results that would have been achieved had the Company operated as a
non-affiliated entity.
 
     The Company has had transactions in the normal course of business with
Raytheon and its subsidiaries. Revenues from these transactions, totaling
$142,000 for the period ended April 9, 1996, are in accordance with Xyplex's
normal terms and conditions. The remaining receivables from these transactions
with Raytheon are included in trade accounts receivable and totaled $26,000 as
of April 9, 1996.
 
     Additionally, Xyplex transferred a substantial amount of its cash and
investments to Raytheon upon the acquisition date and has subsequently
participated in the Raytheon cash management program. All of this cash
management activity is recorded in the receivable from parent company account.
Intercompany activity also includes allocations of corporate expenses, state and
federal income tax payments and credits, and interest earned on the intercompany
receivable balance itself. Interest is earned on the intercompany receivable
balance at a rate of 6.50% in 1996 and totaled approximately $698,000 for the
period ended April 9, 1996.
 
  Parent Company Investment
 
     The parent company investment account represents the net assets of the
company. As described above, this account was credited with the excess of the
purchase price over the fair value of Xyplex's net assets at the time of
Raytheon's purchase.
 
  Use of Accounting Estimates
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
  Cash Equivalents
 
     Cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with original
maturities of ninety days or less at the time of acquisition. Under the
Company's cash management system with Raytheon, checks issued but not presented
to banks frequently result in overdraft balances for accounting purposes. The
Company has
 
                                      F-50
<PAGE>   123
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
determined the net overdraft balance by bank and has correspondingly
reclassified these amounts to Accounts Payable.
 
  Revenue Recognition
 
     The Company recognizes product revenue upon shipment of goods and software.
Maintenance and support fees greater than $10,000 are recognized ratably over
the life of the contract. A provision is made at the time of shipment for
estimated warranty costs to be incurred.
 
  Inventory
 
     Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or
market.
 
  Property and Equipment
 
     Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures for maintenance
and repairs are charged to expense while the costs of significant improvements
are capitalized. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line and
accelerated methods in amounts that allocate the cost of these assets over their
estimated useful lives as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         ESTIMATED
                ASSET CLASSIFICATION                    USEFUL LIFE
                --------------------                   -------------
<S>                                                    <C>
Equipment............................................     5 years
Computer equipment...................................     3 years
Furniture and fixtures...............................     5 years
Leasehold improvements...............................  Term of Lease
Demonstration units..................................     3 years
Equipment under capital lease........................  Term of Lease
</TABLE>
 
     Upon retirement or sale, the cost of assets disposed and the related
accumulated depreciation are eliminated and the related gains or losses are
reflected in income.
 
  Intangibles
 
     Goodwill, which represents the amount Raytheon incurred in excess of the
fair value of the net assets of Xyplex on the date of purchase, is amortized on
a straight-line basis over a period of 15 years. For the period ended April 9,
1996, the Company incurred amortization expense related to this asset of
$2,267,000. Accumulated amortization related to goodwill totaled $42,018,000 as
of April 9, 1996.
 
     Other intangible assets, consisting primarily of licenses, are included in
other assets. These assets are amortized over a one to three year period based
on net realizable value. For the period ended April 9, 1996, the Company
incurred amortization expense of $60,000. Accumulated amortization related to
these other assets totaled $684,000 as of April 9, 1996.
 
     The Company periodically reviews the carrying value of its intangible
assets as well as the amortization periods to determine whether current events
and circumstances warrant adjustment to the carrying values or estimated useful
lives. At each balance sheet date, management evaluates the carrying value of
intangible assets to determine whether there has been any permanent impairment.
No such adjustments were made for the period ended April 9, 1996.
 
                                      F-51
<PAGE>   124
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
  Research and Development and Software Development Costs
 
     Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred. In
accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 86,
capitalization of internally developed computer software costs begins upon the
establishment of technological feasibility. The Company believes that once a
working model has been established, the additional development costs to bring
the product to a commercially acceptable level are not significant. There were
no software development costs capitalized as of April 9, 1996.
 
  Income Taxes
 
     The Company records income taxes based on an asset and liability approach
which results in the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the
expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the book and
tax bases of assets and liabilities. For purposes of these financial statements,
income taxes have been calculated as if Xyplex had prepared a tax return on a
stand alone basis.
 
     In accordance with Raytheon's policy, all state and local taxes have been
included in general and administrative expenses.
 
 2. ALLOCATED COSTS
 
     The historical statements of operations include charges from Raytheon
representing the Company's share of the cost of support services provided. These
charges are allocations of corporate expenses associated with legal, marketing,
management, financial and facilities management services. The basis of the
allocation is dependent on the functions and includes net sales, square feet
occupied, and percentage share of all other corporate assessments. For these
services, the Company was charged $100,000 for the period ended April 9, 1996.
 
     Management believes the methods used to allocate the costs are reasonable
based on the company's use of such facilities and services.
 
 3. INVENTORY
 
     Inventories consist of the following at April 9, 1996:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>
Raw materials....................................  $  756,000
Work in process..................................   3,454,000
Finished goods...................................   5,485,000
                                                   ----------
                                                   $9,695,000
                                                   ==========
</TABLE>
 
     Work in process and finished goods inventories include materials, labor and
manufacturing overhead. As of April 9, 1996, finished goods include
approximately $2,563,000, of demonstration products located at the sales and
support offices and potential customer sites.
 
                                      F-52
<PAGE>   125
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
 4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
 
     Property and equipment consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                              <C>
Equipment......................................  $  6,126,000
Computer equipment.............................     8,817,000
Furniture and fixtures.........................     1,633,000
Leasehold improvements.........................     2,515,000
Demonstration units............................     3,528,000
Equipment under capital lease..................     3,511,000
                                                 ------------
                                                   26,130,000
Less -- Accumulated depreciation and
  amortization.................................   (18,290,000)
                                                 ------------
                                                 $  7,840,000
                                                 ============
</TABLE>
 
     Equipment under capital leases had accumulated amortization of $2,563,000
as of April 9, 1996.
 
 5. INCOME TAXES
 
     The provision for income taxes in the accompanying consolidated statements
of income consists of the following as of April 9, 1996:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>
Federal:
  Current.........................................  $716,000
  Deferred........................................  (654,000)
                                                    --------
                                                    $ 62,000
                                                    ========
</TABLE>
 
     A reconciliation of the federal statutory rate percentage to the Company's
effective tax rate percentage is as follows for the period ended April 9, 1996.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Income tax benefit at federal statutory rate................  (35.0)%
Amortization of nondeductible goodwill......................   35.9
Other.......................................................    1.9
                                                              -----
Effective tax rate..........................................    2.8%
                                                              =====
</TABLE>
 
     The approximate income tax effect of each type of temporary difference
comprising the deferred tax asset as of April 9, 1996 is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Inventory...................................................  $1,940,000
Deferred revenue............................................   1,189,000
Depreciation................................................   1,035,000
Accrued vacation............................................     575,000
Accrued warranty............................................     349,000
Bad debt....................................................     205,000
Other, net..................................................     299,000
                                                              ----------
          Total federal deferred tax asset..................   5,592,000
State deferred tax asset, net...............................   1,198,000
                                                              ----------
          Total deferred tax asset..........................  $6,790,000
                                                              ==========
</TABLE>
 
     Income taxes paid to the parent company for the period ended April 9, 1996
totaled approximately $6,032,000.
 
                                      F-53
<PAGE>   126
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
 6. 401(k) RETIREMENT PLAN
 
     The Company had a 401(k) retirement plan covering all employees who are
regularly scheduled to work 1,000 or more hours of service per year.
Participants may elect to defer up to 15% of their compensation for deposit
under the plan, subject to certain IRS limitations. The Company may elect to
make contributions to the plan. The contributions are allocated to each eligible
participant's account in proportion to each participant's deferrals for the plan
year, subject to IRS limitations; participants' deferrals in excess of 6% of
compensation are not matched. The Company elected to make contributions of
$124,000 to the plan for the period ended April 9, 1996.
 
 7. LEASE COMMITMENTS
 
     The Company has both operating and capital lease commitments for certain
facilities and equipment. These leases expire at various dates through the year
2014.
 
     Future minimum lease payments under these noncancelable leases are as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       OPERATING     CAPITAL
                        YEAR                             LEASES       LEASES
                        ----                           ----------    --------
<S>                                                    <C>           <C>
1996.................................................  $1,458,000    $332,000
1997.................................................     761,000      85,000
1998.................................................     633,000          --
1999.................................................     416,000          --
2000.................................................     416,000          --
Thereafter...........................................   2,278,000          --
                                                       ----------    --------
Total minimum lease payments.........................  $5,962,000     417,000
                                                       ==========
Less amount representing interest....................                  24,000
                                                                     --------
Present value of minimum lease payments..............                 393,000
Less current portion of capital lease obligations....                 366,000
                                                                     --------
                                                                     $ 27,000
                                                                     ========
</TABLE>
 
     Rent expense was approximately $605,000 for the period ended April 9, 1996.
 
 8. EXPORT SALES
 
     Export sales as a percentage of net sales for the period ended April 9,
1996 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        1995
                                                        ----
<S>                                                     <C>
Europe................................................  15.6%
Pacific Rim...........................................   5.4
Canada................................................   4.7
Other.................................................  10.3
                                                        ----
                                                        36.0%
                                                        ====
</TABLE>
 
 9. EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
     During 1995, Raytheon and Xyplex provided strategic resolution bonuses to
key employees. These bonuses, totaling approximately $1,500,000, were due and
payable on March 1, 1996 for each employee who continued to be an employee on
March 1, 1996. Of the $1,500,000 charge, approximately $250,000 was funded by
Xyplex with the remainder funded by Raytheon.
 
     Also during 1995, Raytheon entered into employment agreements with certain
key employees of the Company which provide for salary continuation of up to 12
months in the event of termination of employment without cause. The aggregate
commitment under these employment agreements should all covered employees be
terminated is approximately $1,500,000.
 
                                      F-54
<PAGE>   127
 
                       REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
To the Board of Directors of
Raytheon Company:
 
     We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Xyplex, Inc. as of
December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the related statements of income, stockholder's
equity, and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are
the responsibility of management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
these financial statements based on our audits.
 
     We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
     As discussed in Note 1, interest expense associated with Raytheon Company's
general corporate debt has not been allocated to Xyplex, Inc.'s financial
statements. Also as discussed in Note 1, Xyplex, Inc. has earned interest income
primarily on its intercompany receivable from Raytheon based on an agreed-upon
rate. As discussed in Note 2, certain costs and expenses presented in the
financial statements represent allocations of the costs of services provided to
Xyplex, Inc. by Raytheon Company. As a result of these factors, the financial
statements presented may not be indicative of the financial position or results
of operations that would have been achieved had Xyplex, Inc. operated as a
nonaffiliated entity.
 
     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Xyplex, Inc. as of December
31, 1995 and 1994, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the
years then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
                                          /s/ COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
 
Boston, Massachusetts
April 22, 1996
 
                                      F-55
<PAGE>   128
 
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                           DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1994
 
                                     ASSETS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1995           1994
                                                              ------------   ------------
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents.................................  $    113,000   $    140,000
  Short-term investments....................................       400,000        400,000
  Accounts receivable, less reserve of $805,000 and $719,000
     in 1995 and 1994, respectively.........................    19,584,000     18,663,000
  Inventory.................................................     8,974,000      8,397,000
  Other current assets......................................       790,000        456,000
  Receivable from parent company............................    33,774,000     35,447,000
                                                              ------------   ------------
          Total current assets..............................    63,635,000     63,503,000
Property and equipment, net.................................     7,854,000      6,386,000
Deferred tax asset..........................................     6,136,000      3,168,000
Other assets................................................     2,032,000      1,627,000
Goodwill....................................................    85,624,000    123,982,000
                                                              ------------   ------------
          Total assets......................................  $165,281,000   $198,666,000
                                                              ============   ============
 
LIABILITIES AND PARENT COMPANY INVESTMENT
Current liabilities:
  Current portion of capital lease obligations..............  $    472,000   $    796,000
  Accounts payable..........................................     7,517,000      6,504,000
  Accrued payroll and employee benefits.....................     4,749,000      3,326,000
  Other accrued expenses....................................     1,700,000        900,000
  Deferred revenue..........................................     3,134,000      1,551,000
                                                              ------------   ------------
          Total current liabilities.........................    17,572,000     13,077,000
Long-term portion of capital lease obligations..............        84,000        604,000
Commitments and contingencies
Parent company investment...................................   147,625,000    184,985,000
                                                              ------------   ------------
          Total liabilities and parent company investment...  $165,281,000   $198,666,000
                                                              ============   ============
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
                                      F-56
<PAGE>   129
 
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                              STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                 FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1994
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1995           1994
                                                              ------------    -----------
<S>                                                           <C>             <C>
Net sales...................................................  $107,617,000    $95,233,000
Cost of sales...............................................    49,360,000     40,646,000
                                                              ------------    -----------
Gross profit................................................    58,257,000     54,587,000
                                                              ------------    -----------
Operating expenses:
  Selling and marketing.....................................    35,675,000     25,283,000
  General and administrative................................     6,300,000      5,008,000
  Research and development..................................    16,039,000     13,045,000
  Parent company allocations................................       425,000         24,000
  Amortization of goodwill..................................     8,358,000      1,393,000
  Impairment of goodwill....................................    30,000,000             --
  Acquisition charges.......................................            --      4,299,000
                                                              ------------    -----------
          Total operating expenses..........................    96,797,000     49,052,000
                                                              ------------    -----------
(Loss) income from operations...............................   (38,540,000)     5,535,000
Interest expense............................................       (74,000)      (131,000)
Interest income.............................................        22,000        834,000
Interest income from parent company.........................     2,238,000        212,000
                                                              ------------    -----------
Net (loss) income before tax provision......................   (36,354,000)     6,450,000
Provision for federal income taxes..........................     1,006,000      3,152,000
                                                              ------------    -----------
Net (loss) income...........................................  $(37,360,000)   $ 3,298,000
                                                              ============    ===========
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
                                      F-57
<PAGE>   130
 
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                       STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
                 FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1994
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  COMMON STOCK                        ADDITIONAL       PARENT          TOTAL
                             ----------------------     RETAINED       PAID-IN        COMPANY      STOCKHOLDERS'
                               SHARES       AMOUNT      EARNINGS       CAPITAL       INVESTMENT       EQUITY
                             ----------    --------   ------------   ------------   ------------   -------------
<S>                          <C>           <C>        <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
Balance, January 1, 1994...   6,055,000    $ 61,000   $ 22,083,000   $ 34,537,000                  $ 56,681,000
Exercise of stock
  options..................     141,000       1,000             --         46,000                        47,000
Tax benefit related to
  employee stock options...          --          --             --      1,172,000                     1,172,000
Sale of common stock under
  employee stock purchase
  plan.....................      60,000       1,000             --        805,000                       806,000
Net income earned through
  date of acquisition......          --          --      1,641,000             --                     1,641,000
Acquisition by Raytheon
  Company..................  (6,256,000)    (63,000)   (23,724,000)   (36,560,000)  $ 60,347,000             --
Allocation of goodwill to
  parent company
  investment...............  --........          --             --             --    122,981,000    122,981,000
Net income.................          --          --             --             --      1,657,000      1,657,000
                             ----------    --------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
Balance, December 31,
  1994.....................          --          --             --             --    184,985,000    184,985,000
Net loss...................          --          --             --             --    (37,360,000)   (37,360,000)
                             ----------    --------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
Balance, December 31,
  1995.....................          --          --             --             --   $147,625,000   $147,625,000
                             ==========    ========   ============   ============   ============   ============
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
                                      F-58
<PAGE>   131
 
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                 FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 AND 1994
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1995            1994
                                                              ------------    ------------
<S>                                                           <C>             <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net (loss) income.........................................  $(37,360,000)   $  3,298,000
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
     by operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization..........................    13,868,000       5,239,000
     Impairment of goodwill.................................    30,000,000              --
     Tax benefit from employee stock options................            --       1,172,000
     Deferred income tax provision..........................    (2,968,000)     (2,453,000)
     Changes in assets and liabilities:
       Accounts receivable..................................      (921,000)     (5,546,000)
       Inventory............................................      (577,000)     (3,402,000)
       Other current assets.................................      (334,000)       (114,000)
       Accounts payable and accrued expenses................     1,096,000         893,000
       Deferred revenue.....................................     1,583,000         720,000
       Other assets.........................................      (110,000)        (18,000)
                                                              ------------    ------------
          Net cash provided by (used in) operating
            activities......................................     4,277,000        (211,000)
                                                              ------------    ------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Purchase and sale of equipment, net.......................    (6,437,000)     (3,760,000)
  Purchase of licenses and other intangible assets..........      (836,000)     (1,090,000)
  Net proceeds from sales of securities.....................            --      19,917,000
                                                              ------------    ------------
          Net cash (used in) provided by investing
            activities......................................    (7,273,000)     15,067,000
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Increase in accounts payable related to cash overdrafts...     2,140,000       1,866,000
  Repayment of note payable.................................            --        (253,000)
  Proceeds from exercise of stock options...................            --          46,000
  Proceeds from sale of stock under employee stock purchase
     plan...................................................            --         805,000
  Payments of capital leases................................      (844,000)       (863,000)
  Net receipts from (payments to) parent company............     1,673,000     (33,140,000)
                                                              ------------    ------------
          Net cash provided by (used in) financing
            activities......................................     2,969,000     (31,539,000)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents...................       (27,000)    (16,683,000)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year................       140,000      16,823,000
                                                              ------------    ------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year......................  $    113,000    $    140,000
                                                              ============    ============
</TABLE>
 
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
                                      F-59
<PAGE>   132
 
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
  Basis of Presentation
 
     Xyplex, Inc. (the "Company" or "Xyplex") designs, manufactures, markets and
supports data networks. On October 7, 1994, Xyplex was acquired by Raytheon
Company ("Raytheon") for total consideration of $186,000,000. Pursuant to the
purchase method of accounting, the assets and liabilities acquired by Raytheon
were revalued to their fair value. The excess of the purchase price over the
fair value of the net assets acquired was approximately $125,000,000 and
accordingly, goodwill and the parent company investment were increased by
$125,000,000. Effective on the close of business on April 9, 1996, Xyplex was
acquired by Whittaker Corporation.
 
     The accompanying historical financial statements present the Company's
results of operations and its financial condition as a stand alone entity
through October 7, 1994 and as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Raytheon thereafter.
Interest expense associated with Raytheon's general corporate debt has not been
allocated to the Company's financial statements. Certain costs and expenses
presented in the financial statements represent intercompany allocations and
management's estimates of the costs of services provided to the Company by
Raytheon. (See Note 2 for further discussion of allocations.) Additionally, as
discussed in further detail below, Xyplex earned interest income primarily on
its intercompany receivable from Raytheon based on an agreed-upon rate. As a
result of these factors, the financial statements presented may not be
indicative of the results that would have been achieved had the Company operated
as a non-affiliated entity.
 
     The Company has had transactions in the normal course of business with
Raytheon and its subsidiaries. Revenues from these transactions, totaling
$1,172,000 in 1995 and $128,000 in 1994, are in accordance with Xyplex's normal
terms and conditions. The remaining receivables from these transactions with
Raytheon are included in trade accounts receivable and totaled $458,000 and
$28,000 as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
 
     Additionally, Xyplex transferred a substantial amount of its cash and
investments to Raytheon upon the acquisition date and has subsequently
participated in the Raytheon cash management program. All of this cash
management activity is recorded in the receivable from parent company account.
Intercompany activity also includes allocations of corporate expenses, state and
federal income tax payments and credits, and interest earned on the intercompany
receivable balance itself. Interest is earned on the intercompany receivable
balance at a rate of 6.25% in 1995 and 5% in 1994 and totaled approximately
$2,238,000 in 1995 and $212,000 in 1994.
 
  Parent Company Investment
 
     The parent company investment account represents the net assets of the
company. As described above, this account was credited with the excess of the
purchase price over the fair value of Xyplex's net assets at the time of
Raytheon's purchase.
 
  Principles of Consolidation
 
     The accompanying financial statements include the accounts of the Company
and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Xyplex Foreign Sales Corporation, Inc., a
foreign sales corporation formed in April 1990 and Xyplex Security Corp., formed
in May 1991. Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been
eliminated in consolidation. The assets of Xyplex Security Corp. were liquidated
during 1994 after the Company was purchased by Raytheon. Effective in 1995, the
Company's foreign sales were reported under Raytheon's foreign sales corporation
(RITL).
 
                                      F-60
<PAGE>   133
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
  Use of Accounting Estimates
 
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
  Cash Equivalents and Short-term Investments
 
     Cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with original
maturities of ninety days or less at the time of acquisition. All other
investments are considered to be short-term investments and are recorded at cost
which approximates fair value. Under the Company's cash management system with
Raytheon, checks issued but not presented to banks frequently result in
overdraft balances for accounting purposes. The Company has determined the net
overdraft balance by bank and has correspondingly reclassified these amounts to
Accounts Payable.
 
  Revenue Recognition
 
     The Company recognizes product revenue upon shipment of goods and software.
Maintenance and support fees greater than $10,000 are recognized ratably over
the life of the contract. A provision is made at the time of shipment for
estimated warranty costs to be incurred.
 
  Inventory
 
     Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or
market.
 
  Property and Equipment
 
     Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures for maintenance
and repairs are charged to expense while the costs of significant improvements
are capitalized. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line and
accelerated methods in amounts that allocate the cost of these assets over their
estimated useful lives as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          ESTIMATED
                 ASSET CLASSIFICATION                    USEFUL LIFE
                 --------------------                   -------------
<S>                                                     <C>
Equipment.............................................     5 years
Computer equipment....................................     3 years
Furniture and fixtures................................     5 years
Leasehold improvements................................  Term of Lease
Demonstration units...................................     3 years
Equipment under capital lease.........................  Term of Lease
</TABLE>
 
     Upon retirement or sale, the cost of assets disposed and the related
accumulated depreciation are eliminated and the related gains or losses are
reflected in income.
 
  Intangibles
 
     Goodwill, which represents the amount Raytheon incurred in excess of the
fair value of the net assets of Xyplex on the date of purchase, is amortized on
a straight-line basis over a period of 15 years. For the years ended December
31, 1995 and 1994, the Company incurred amortization expense related to this
asset of
 
                                      F-61
<PAGE>   134
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
$8,358,000 and $1,393,000. Accumulated amortization related to goodwill totaled
$9,751,000 and $1,393,000 as of December 31, 1995 and 1994.
 
     Other intangibles assets, consisting primarily of licenses, are included in
other assets. These assets are amortized over a one to three year period based
on net realizable value. For the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, the
Company incurred amortization expense of $444,000 and $245,000. Accumulated
amortization related to these other assets totaled $624,000 and $180,000 as of
December 31, 1995 and 1994.
 
     The Company periodically reviews the carrying value of its intangible
assets as well as the amortization periods to determine whether current events
and circumstances warrant adjustment to the carrying values or estimated useful
lives. At each balance sheet date, management evaluates the carrying value of
intangible assets to determine whether there has been any permanent impairment.
As of December 31, 1995, the Company recognized goodwill impairment of
$30,000,000. This amount represents the approximate difference between the fair
value and the carrying value of the Company's net assets based on the
anticipated sale of the Company.
 
  Research and Development and Software Development Costs
 
     Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred. In
accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 86,
capitalization of internally developed computer software costs begins upon the
establishment of technological feasibility. The Company believes that once a
working model has been established, the additional development costs to bring
the product to a commercially acceptable level are not significant. There were
no software development costs capitalized as of December 31, 1995 and 1994.
 
  Income Taxes
 
     The Company records income taxes based on an asset and liability approach
which results in the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the
expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the book and
tax bases of assets and liabilities. For purposes of these financial statements,
income taxes have been calculated as if Xyplex had prepared a tax return on a
stand alone basis.
 
     In accordance with Raytheon's policy, all sate and local taxes have been
included in general and administrative expenses.
 
 2. ALLOCATED COSTS
 
     The historical statements of operations, include charges from Raytheon
representing the Company's share of the cost of support services provided. These
charges are allocations of corporate expenses associated with legal, marketing,
management, financial and facilities management services. The basis of the
allocation is dependent on the functions and includes net sales, square feet
occupied, and percentage share of all other corporate assessments. For these
services, the Company was charged $425,000 and $24,000 in 1995 and 1994,
respectively.
 
     Management believes the methods used to allocate the costs are reasonable
based on the company's use of such facilities and services.
 
                                      F-62
<PAGE>   135
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
 3. INVENTORY
 
     Inventories consist of the following at December 31, 1995 and 1994:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  1995          1994
                                               ----------    ----------
<S>                                            <C>           <C>
Raw materials................................  $  987,000    $1,753,000
Work in process..............................   3,856,000     2,874,000
Finished goods...............................   4,131,000     3,770,000
                                               ----------    ----------
                                               $8,974,000    $8,397,000
                                               ==========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
     Work in process and finished goods inventories include materials, labor and
manufacturing overhead. At December 31, 1995 and 1994, finished goods include
approximately $2,553,000 and $1,747,000, respectively, of demonstration products
located at the sales and support offices and potential customer sites.
 
 4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
     Property and equipment consist of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      1995            1994
                                                  ------------    ------------
<S>                                               <C>             <C>
Equipment.......................................  $  5,810,000    $  3,413,000
Computer equipment..............................     8,433,000       6,302,000
Furniture and fixtures..........................     1,626,000         835,000
Leasehold improvements..........................     2,515,000       2,090,000
Demonstration units.............................     3,080,000       2,372,000
Equipment under capital lease...................     3,513,000       3,528,000
                                                  ------------    ------------
                                                    24,977,000      18,540,000
Less -- Accumulated depreciation and
  amortization..................................   (17,123,000)    (12,154,000)
                                                  ------------    ------------
                                                  $  7,854,000    $  6,386,000
                                                  ============    ============
</TABLE>
 
     Equipment under capital leases had accumulated amortization of $2,942,000
and $2,078,000 as of December 31, 1995 and 1994. Acquisitions for equipment
under capital lease obligations totaled $477,000 in 1994. There were no such
acquisitions in 1995.
 
 5. LONG-TERM DEBT
 
     At December 31, 1993, the Company had approximately $253,000 outstanding
under a term note payable. Until the acquisition by Raytheon, the Company made
the required monthly principal payments of approximately $23,000 plus interest.
In October 1994, the Company paid this note off in full.
 
 6. STOCK PLANS
 
     During 1994, the Company had two stock options plans in effect: the 1991
Restated Stock Option Plan (the "1991 Plan") and the 1989 Consultant's Stock
Option Plan (the "1989 Plan"). Under the 1991 Plan, incentive stock options were
granted at an exercise price of not less than the fair market value of common
stock as determined in accordance with the 1991 Plan and nonqualified options
were granted at an exercise price of not less than 50% of the fair market value
of the common stock at the date of grant. Under the 1989 Plan, stock options
were granted to eligible consultants, as defined, at a price of not less than
the fair value of the common stock at the date of grant. At the time the Company
was acquired by Raytheon, the outstanding options of both of these plans were
exchanged for options to purchase Raytheon stock.
 
                                      F-63
<PAGE>   136
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
 6. STOCK PLANS (CONTINUED)
     A summary of stock option activity under the 1991 Plan and the 1989 Plan
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           1991                      1989
                                                         RELATED                 CONSULTANT'S
                                                    STOCK OPTION PLAN          STOCK OPTION PLAN
                                                --------------------------    -------------------
                                                NUMBER OF       OPTION        NUMBER OF    OPTION
                                                 OPTIONS         PRICE         OPTIONS     PRICE
                                                ---------    -------------    ---------    ------
<S>                                             <C>          <C>              <C>          <C>
Outstanding at December 31, 1993..............   613,532     $ .12 - 28.62       333        $.12
  Granted.....................................    24,069     $11.63 - 18.50
  Exercised...................................  (140,963)    $ .12 - 26.00
  Canceled....................................   (28,075)    $1.84 - 21.25      (333)
  Exchanged for Raytheon stock options........   468,563
                                                --------                        ----
Outstanding at December 31, 1994..............        --                          --
                                                ========                        ====
</TABLE>
 
     Prior to the acquisition by Raytheon, the Company also had the 1991
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "ESPP") in effect. Under the terms of the
ESPP, the Company was authorized to grant options to purchase an aggregate of
140,000 shares of common stock in a series of six-month periods. The purchase
price was 85% of the lower of the fair value per share of common stock, as
defined in the ESPP. At the time the Company was acquired by Raytheon, these
shares were converted to Raytheon Stock.
 
 7. INCOME TAXES
 
     The provision for income taxes in the accompanying consolidated statements
of income consists of the following at December 31, 1995 and 1994:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       1995           1994
                                    -----------    -----------
<S>                                 <C>            <C>
Federal:
  Current.........................  $ 3,450,000    $ 4,238,000
  Deferred........................   (2,444,000)    (1,086,000)
                                    -----------    -----------
                                    $ 1,006,000    $ 3,152,000
                                    ===========    ===========
</TABLE>
 
     A reconciliation of the federal statutory rate percentage to the Company's
effective tax rate percentage is as follows for the years ended December 31,
1995 and 1994.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1995       1994
                                                              -----      -----
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Income tax provision at federal statutory rate..............  (35.0)%     35.0%
Amortization of nondeductible goodwill......................   36.9        7.6
Non-deductible acquisition charges..........................     --       16.2
Other.......................................................    0.9       (9.9)
                                                              -----      -----
Effective tax rate..........................................    2.8%      48.9%
                                                              -----      -----
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-64
<PAGE>   137
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
 7. INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
     The approximate income tax effect of each type of temporary difference
compromising the deferred tax asset at December 31, 1995 and 1994 is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          1995          1994
                                                       ----------    ----------
<S>                                                    <C>           <C>
Inventory............................................  $1,736,000    $  829,000
Deferred revenue.....................................     957,000       305,000
Depreciation.........................................     935,000       443,000
Accrued vacation.....................................     463,000       394,000
Accrued warranty.....................................     306,000       181,000
Bad debt.............................................     282,000       252,000
Other, net...........................................     374,000       205,000
                                                       ----------    ----------
          Total federal deferred tax asset...........   5,053,000     2,609,000
State deferred tax asset, net........................   1,083,000       559,000
                                                       ----------    ----------
          Total deferred tax asset...................  $6,136,000    $3,168,000
                                                       ==========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
     Income taxes paid totaled approximately $3,322,000 and $2,935,000 in 1995
and 1994, respectively.
 
 8. 401(K) RETIREMENT PLAN
 
     The Company had a 401(k) retirement plan covering all employees who are
regularly scheduled to work 1,000 or more hours of service per year.
Participants may elect to defer up to 15% of their compensation for deposit
under the plan, subject to certain IRS limitations. The Company may elect to
make contributions to the plan. The contributions are allocated to each eligible
participant's account in proportion to each participant's deferrals for the plan
year, subject to IRS limitations; participants' deferrals in excess of 6% of
compensation are not matched. The Company elected not to make contributions to
the plan for the year ended December 31, 1994. In 1995, the Company contributed
approximately $275,000.
 
 9. LEASE COMMITMENTS
 
     The Company has both operating and capital lease commitments for certain
facilities and equipment. These leases expire at various dates through the year
2014.
 
     Future minimum lease payments under these noncancelable leases are as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       OPERATING     CAPITAL
                        YEAR                             LEASES       LEASES
                        ----                           ----------    --------
<S>                                                    <C>           <C>
1996.................................................  $1,458,000    $495,000
1997.................................................     761,000      85,000
1998.................................................     633,000          --
1999.................................................     416,000          --
2000.................................................     416,000          --
Thereafter...........................................   2,278,000          --
                                                       ----------    --------
          Total minimum lease payments...............  $5,962,000     580,000
                                                       ==========    ========
Less amount represent interest.......................                  24,000
                                                                     --------
Present value of minimum lease payments..............                 556,000
Less current portion of capital lease obligations....                 472,000
                                                                     --------
                                                                     $ 84,000
                                                                     ========
</TABLE>
 
     Rent expense was approximately $1,911,000 and $1,479,000 in 1995 and 1994,
respectively.
 
                                      F-65
<PAGE>   138
                                  XYPLEX, INC.
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
10. SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS AND EXPORT SALES
 
     During 1994, sales to one customer totaled approximately $12,045,000 or
12.5% of net sales. No single customer accounted for more than 10% of net sales
during 1995.
 
     Export sales as a percentage of net sales for the years ended December 31,
1995 and 1994, respectively, are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 1995    1994
                                                 ----    ----
<S>                                              <C>     <C>
Europe.........................................  12.5%   12.0%
Pacific Rim....................................   5.0     4.1
Canada.........................................   4.0     4.4
Other..........................................   9.8     5.1
                                                 ----    ----
                                                 31.3%   25.6%
                                                 ====    ====
</TABLE>
 
11. EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
     During 1995, Raytheon and Xyplex provided strategic resolution bonuses to
key employees. These bonuses, totaling approximately $1,500,000, were due and
payable on March 1, 1996 for each employee who continued to be an employee on
March 1, 1996. Of the $1,500,000 charge, approximately $250,000 was funded by
Xyplex with the remainder being funded by Raytheon.
 
     Also during 1995, Raytheon entered into employment agreements with certain
key employees of the Company which provide for salary continuation of up to 12
months in the event of termination of employment without cause. The aggregate
commitment under these employment agreements should all covered employees be
terminated is approximately $1,500,000.
 
                                      F-66
<PAGE>   139

================================================================================

NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATION IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER MADE HEREBY OTHER THAN THOSE
CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR
REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE
COMPANY. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF ANY OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITY OTHER THAN THE NOTES OFFERED
HEREBY, NOR DOES IT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO
BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY BY ANYONE IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH
SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED, OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH
OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS
UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE
ANY IMPLICATION THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME
SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   PAGE
<S>                                                               <C>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION..........................................       2
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE................       2
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY.............................................       3
RISK FACTORS...................................................      10
USE OF PROCEEDS................................................      16
DIVIDEND POLICY................................................      16
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK....................................      17
CAPITALIZATION.................................................      18
THE COMPANY....................................................      19
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA...........................      20
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
  FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS................      22
BUSINESS.......................................................      30
MANAGEMENT.....................................................      44
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS.........................................      50
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES.......................................      51
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK...................................      61
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX
  CONSIDERATIONS...............................................      62
SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS........................................      67
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION...........................................      68
LEGAL MATTERS..................................................      68
EXPERTS........................................................      68
GLOSSARY.......................................................      70
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS..................................     F-1
</TABLE>


================================================================================

================================================================================

                                  $100,000,000



                             MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC



                        5% Convertible Subordinated Notes
                                    due 2003



                     --------------------------------------



                                   PROSPECTUS



                     --------------------------------------



                              ______________, 1998



================================================================================




<PAGE>   140

                                     PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

           The following table sets forth the costs and expenses payable by the
Registrant in connection with the sale of the Common Stock being registered
hereby, other than underwriting commissions and discounts, all of which are
estimated except for the SEC filing fee.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          Item                                                                  Amount
                          ----                                                                  ------
<S>                                                                                            <C>     
SEC registration fee...............................................................            $ 29,500
Printing expenses..................................................................                 *
Legal fees and expenses............................................................                 *
Accounting fees and expenses.......................................................                 *
Miscellaneous expenses.............................................................                 *
           Total...................................................................                 *
</TABLE>
- -----------------
* To be supplied by amendment.

ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

           Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law allows for the
indemnification of officers, directors, and other corporate agents in terms
sufficiently broad to indemnify such persons under certain circumstances for
liabilities (including reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"). Article 8 of the Registrant's
Certificate of Incorporation and Article IX of the Registrant's Bylaws provide
for indemnification of the Registrant's directors, officers, employees, and
other agents to the extent and under the circumstances permitted by the Delaware
General Corporation Law. The Registrant has also entered into agreements with
its directors and executive officers that will require the Registrant, among
other things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities that may arise by
reason of their status or service as directors to the fullest extent not
prohibited by law.



                                      II-1


<PAGE>   141

ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS


4.1     Purchase Agreement, dated June 23, 1998, between the Company and
        Prudential Securities Incorporated and Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. relating
        to the Notes (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's
        Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998 filed August 14, 1998).

4.2     Indenture, dated as of June 26, 1998, between the Company and American
        Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Trustee, relating to the Notes
        (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company's Form 10-Q for
        the quarter ended June 30, 1998, filed August 14, 1998).

4.3     Specimen of Restricted Global Security (incorporated by reference to
        Exhibit 4.3 of the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30,
        1998 filed August 14, 1998).

4.4     Registration Rights Agreement dated June 26, 1998 between the Company
        and Prudential Securities Incorporated and Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
        relating to the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the
        Notes (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of the Company's Form
        10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998 filed August 14, 1998).

4.5     Specimen certificate of Common Stock.

5       Opinion of Freshman, Marantz, Orlanski, Cooper & Klein, a law
        corporation*

12.1    Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

23.1    Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP

23.2    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP*

23.4    Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.*

23.4    Consent of Freshman, Marantz, Orlanski, Cooper & Klein, a law
        corporation (contained in Exhibit 5)*

24.1    Power of Attorney (contained in Signature page)

25.1    Statement of Eligibility of Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act of
        1939 on Form T-1.

- ----------

* To be filed by amendment.



                                      II-2
<PAGE>   142


ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.


The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

        (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

            (a) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act;

            (b) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment hereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration
Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of
securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not
exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of
the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus
filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b), if in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum
aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee"
table in the effective registration statement.

            (c) to include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any
material change to such information in this Registration Statement.

provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraph (a) and (b)
above shall not apply if the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports
filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") that are incorporated by reference in
this Registration Statement.

            (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

            (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.

        Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable in the event that a
claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by
the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.

        The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

        For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of
prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h)
under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of this Registration
Statement as of the time it was declared effective. For the purpose of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective
that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed


                                      II-3
<PAGE>   143


to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
initial bona fide offering thereof.



                                      II-4
<PAGE>   144

                                   SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Chatsworth, State of California, on the 22nd day of
September 1998.

                                            MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.


                                            By: /s/ NOAM LOTAN
                                               -------------------------------
                                               Noam Lotan, President and
                                               Chief Executive Officer


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

        KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Noam Lotan, Zeev Rav-Noy and Edmund
Glazer, and each of them, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents,
with full power of substitution for him in any and all capacities, to sign any
and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration
Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents
in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting
unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his substitute or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            Names                                     Title                                    Date
            -----                                     -----                                    ----
<S>                                    <C>                                                <C>
      /s/ NOAM LOTAN                   President, Chief Executive Officer (Principal      September 22, 1998
- ----------------------------------     Executive Officer), and a Director
          Noam Lotan                                                


     /s/ ZEEV RAV-NOY                  Chief Operating Officer,                           September 22, 1998
- ----------------------------------     Treasurer, and a Director
         Zeev Rav-Noy                                


    /s/ SHLOMO MARGALIT                Chairman of the Board, Chief Technical             September 22, 1998
- ----------------------------------     Officer, Secretary, and a Director
        Shlomo Margalit                          


     /s/ EDMUND GLAZER                 Vice President of Finance and                      September 22, 1998
- ----------------------------------     Administration, Chief Financial Officer
         Edmund Glazer                 (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)             
                                        


     /s/ IGAL SHIDLOVSKY               Director                                           September 22, 1998
- ----------------------------------
         Igal Shidlovsky

    /s/ GUENTER JAENSCH                Director                                           September 22, 1998
- ----------------------------------
        Guenter Jaensch
</TABLE>



                                      II-5


<PAGE>   1

                         INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF
                             THE STATE OF DELAWARE


NUMBER 2345                 MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.                SHARES


                                                                 COMMON STOCK
                                                                $.01 PAR VALUE
THIS CERTIFIES THAT                                            CUSIP 553477 10 0



                                    SPECIMEN

is the owner of



    FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, $.01 PAR VALUE, OF

MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC. transferable on the books of the Corporation in person
or by attorney upon surrender of this certificate properly endorsed. This
certificate and the shares represented hereby are subject to the laws of the
State of Delaware and to the Certificate of Incorporation and the By-laws of the
Corporation as from time to time amended.

     This Certificate is not valid until countersigned and registered by the
Transfer Agent and Registrar.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC. has caused its facsimile
corporate seal and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers to
be hereunto affixed.

Dated:




          TREASURER          MRV COMMUNICATIONS INC.              PRESIDENT
                                   CORPORATE
                                      SEAL
                                      1992
                                    DELAWARE




COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED:
        AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY

         (NEW YORK, N.Y.)              TRANSFER AGENT
                                        AND REGISTRAR


BY


                                 AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE

<PAGE>   2
The Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests 
the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or 
other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the 
qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.


     The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of 
this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full 
according to applicable laws or regulations:

     TEN COM   - as tenants in common
     TEN ENT   - as tenants by the entireties
     JT TEN    - as joint tenants with right of survivorship
                 and not as tenants in common
     COM PROP  - as community property

     UNIF GIFT MIN ACT  -  _________________ Custodian _________________
                                (Cust)                      (Minor)

                           under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act ___________
                                                               (State)

     Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

For value received __________ hereby sell, assign and transfer unto


PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
   IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE

______________________________________

______________________________________



                                    SPECIMEN

________________________________________________________________________________
             PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS OF ASSIGNEE

________________________________________________________________________________


________________________________________________________________________________


_________________________________________________________________________ Shares

of the capital stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby 
irrevocably constitute and appoint ____________________________________ Attorney
to transfer the said stock on the books of the within-named Corporation with 
full power of substitution in the premises.


Dated

SIGNATURE GUARANTEED:               ___________________________________________
                                    NOTICE: THE SIGNATURE TO THIS AGREEMENT 
________________________            MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN 
                                    UPON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATE IN EVERY
                                    PARTICULAR WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT
                                    OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER.

<PAGE>   1


                                                                   EXHIBIT 12.1


                            MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

               COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
                           (All amounts in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                                                        PRO            JUNE 30
                                                                                       FORMA      -----------------
                                   1993     1994      1995        1996       1997       1997       1997       1998
                                  ------    -----    ------     -------     ------    -------     ------    -------
<S>                               <C>       <C>      <C>        <C>         <C>       <C>         <C>       <C>
Pre-tax earnings (loss):         $ 1,326   $2,601   $(1,271)   $(14,058)   $32,059   $(25,631)   $13,857   $(30,923)

Fixed charges:
  interest expense                    --       --       102         743        118        123         84         32
  interest related to debentures      --       --        --       4,387        843        843        427         --
                                   -----    -----    ------     -------     ------    -------     ------    -------

Total fixed charges                   --       --       102       5,100        961        966        511         32

Earnings before fixed charges      1,326    2,601    (1,169)     (8,958)    33,020    (24,665)    14,368    (30,891)

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges    --(1)    --(1)     --(2)       --(2)    34.4X        --(2)    28.1X        --(2)
</TABLE>

(1)  There were no fixed charges in 1993 and 1994.

(2)  Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges in 1995, 1996, Pro-forma
     1997 and for the six months ended June 30, 1998 by $1,271, $14,058, $23,699
     and $30,923, respectively.

<PAGE>   1

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our report 
dated February 20, 1998 on the consolidated financial statements of MRV 
Communications, Inc. (and to all references to our Firm) included in or made a 
part of this Registration Statement.


                                         /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
                                             ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Los Angeles, California
September 22, 1998


<PAGE>   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 25


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                ----------------

                                    FORM T-1

                   STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY AND QUALIFICATION
                   UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
                    CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

                                ----------------

                     AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY
               (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)


                 New York                           13-3439945
           (State of incorporation               (I.R.S. employer
           if not a national bank)               identification No.)

           40 Wall Street                             10005
           New York, New York                       (Zip Code)
           (Address of trustee's
           principal executive offices)


                                ----------------


                            MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

              (Exact name of obligor as specified in its character)



          Delaware                                       06-1340090
          (State or other jurisdiction of             (I.R.S. employer
           incorporation or organization)             identification No.)

          8943 Fullbright Avenue
          Chatsworth, CA                                    91311
          (Address of principal executive                 (Zip Code)
          offices)

              -----------------------------------------------------


                   5% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2003

                       (Title of the Indenture Securities)
 


<PAGE>   2
                                      -2-




                                     GENERAL

     1.           GENERAL INFORMATION.

                  Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

                  a. Name and address of each examining or supervising authority
                  to which it is subject.

                           New York State Banking Department, Albany, New York

                  b. Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust
                  powers.

                           The Trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust
                  powers.

     2.           AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR AND UNDERWRITERS.

                  If the obligor or any underwriter for the obligor is an
                  affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

                  None.

     3.           VOTING SECURITIES OF THE TRUSTEE.

                  Furnish the following information as to each class of voting
                  securities of the trustee:

                                   As of September 8, 1998
                  --------------------------------------------------------------
                  COL. A                                      COL. B
                  --------------------------------------------------------------
                  Title of Class                              Amount Outstanding
                  --------------------------------------------------------------
                  Common Shares - par value $600 per share.   1,000 shares

     4.           TRUSTEESHIPS UNDER OTHER INDENTURES.


                  None.


<PAGE>   3

                                            -3-


     5.           INTERLOCKING DIRECTORATES AND SIMILAR RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE
                  OBLIGOR OR UNDERWRITERS.

                  None.

     6.           VOTING SECURITIES OF THE TRUSTEE OWNED BY THE OBLIGOR OR ITS
                  OFFICIALS.

                  None.

     7.           VOTING SECURITIES OF THE TRUSTEE OWNED BY UNDERWRITERS OR 
                  THEIR OFFICIALS.

                  None.

     8.           SECURITIES OF THE OBLIGOR OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.

                  None.

     9.           SECURITIES OF UNDERWRITERS OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.

                  None.

     10.          OWNERSHIP OR HOLDINGS BY THE TRUSTEE OF VOTING SECURITIES OF
                  CERTAIN AFFILIATES OR SECURITY HOLDERS OF THE OBLIGOR.

                  None.

     11.          OWNERSHIP OR HOLDINGS BY THE TRUSTEE OF ANY SECURITIES OF A
                  PERSON OWNING 50 PERCENT OR MORE OF THE VOTING SECURITIES
                  OF THE OBLIGOR.

                  None.

     12.          INDEBTEDNESS OF THE OBLIGOR TO THE TRUSTEE.

                  None.

     13.          DEFAULTS BY THE OBLIGOR.

                  None.

     14.          AFFILIATIONS WITH THE UNDERWRITERS.

                  None.

     15.          FOREIGN TRUSTEE.

                  Not applicable.


<PAGE>   4

                                       -4-


     16.          LIST OF EXHIBITS.

         T-1.1 -           A copy of the Organization Certificate of American
                           Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as amended to date
                           including authority to commence business and exercise
                           trust powers was filed in connection with the
                           Registration Statement of Live Entertainment, Inc.,
                           File No. 33-54654, and is incorporated herein by
                           reference.

         T-1.4 -           A copy of the By-Laws of American Stock Transfer
                           & Trust Company, as amended to date was filed in 
                           connection with the Registration Statement of Live 
                           Entertainment, Inc., File No. 33-54654, and is 
                           incorporated herein by reference.

         T-1.6 -           The consent of the Trustee required by Section
                           312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
                           Exhibit A.

         T-1.7 -           A copy of the latest report of condition of the
                           Trustee published pursuant to law or the requirements
                           of its supervising or examining authority. - Exhibit
                           B.

                        --------------------------------

                                    SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 the
     Trustee, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a corporation organized
     and existing under the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this
     statement of eligibility and qualification to be signed on its behalf by
     the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of New York,
     and State of New York, on the 9th day of October, 1998.

                                             AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER
                                                      & TRUST COMPANY
                                                          Trustee




                                                      By: /s/ Herbert Lemmer
                                                        -----------------------
                                                            Vice President






<PAGE>   5

                                                                      EXHIBIT A









     Securities and Exchange Commission
     Washington, DC  20549

     Gentlemen:

     Pursuant to the provisions of Section 321 (b) of the Trust Indenture Act of
     1939, and subject to the limitations therein contained, American Stock
     Transfer & Trust Company hereby consents that reports of examinations of
     said corporation by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may
     be furnished by such authorities to you upon request therefor.

                                           Very truly yours,

                                           AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER
                                            & TRUST COMPANY



                                           By  /s/ Herbert Lemmer
                                              ---------------------------
                                                   Vice President


<PAGE>   6


                                                                       EXHIBIT B

AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY
40 WALL ST.
NEW YORK, NY  10005


     CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION AND INCOME FOR A BANK WITH DOMESTIC
OFFICES ONLY AND TOTAL ASSETS OF LESS THAN $100 MILLION REPORT AT CLOSE OF
BUSINESS ON JUNE 30, 1998

All schedules are to be reported in thousands of dollars. Unless otherwise
indicated, report the amount outstanding as of the last business day of the
quarter.

SCHEDULE RC - BALANCE SHEET
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>  <C>                                                                        <C>

ASSETS

1.  Cash and balances due from depository institutions:                            345
      a. Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin
      b. Interest-bearing balances
2.  Securities:
      a. Held-to-maturity securities (from Schedule RC-B, column A)
      b. Available-for-sale securities (from Schedule RC-B, column D)            6,478
3.  Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell
4.  Loans and lease financing receivables:
      a. Loans and leases, net of unearned income (from Schedule RC-C)
      b. LESS:  Allowance for loan and lease losses
      c. LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve
      d. Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and reserve 
         (item 4.a minus 4.b and 4.c
5.  Trading assets
6.  Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)                     4,066
7.  Other real estate owned (from Schedule RC-M)
8.  Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies
    (from Schedule RC-M)
9.  Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding
10. Intangible assets (from Schedule RC-M)
11. Other asssets (from Schedule RC-F)                                           7,638
12.   a. Total assets (sum of items 1 through 11)                               18,527
      b. Losses deferred pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 1823 (j)
      c. Total assets and losses deferred pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 
         1823 (j) (sum of items 12.a and 12.b)                                  18,527


</TABLE>




<PAGE>   7

SCHEDULE RC - CONTINUED


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>  <C>                                                                        <C>

LIABILITIES


13. Deposits:
      a. In domestic offices (sum of totals of columns A and C from Schedule
         RC-E) 
         (1) Noninterest-bearing
         (2) Interest-bearing
      b. In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs
         (1) Noninterest-bearing
         (2) Interest-bearing
14. Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
15.   a. Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury
      b. Trading liabilities
16. Other borrowed money (includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under
    capitalized leases):
      a. With a remaining maturity of one year or less
      b. With a remaining maturity of more than one year through three years 
      c. With a remaining maturity of more than three years
17. Not applicable
18. Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding
19. Subordinated notes and debentures
20. Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G)                                       3,076
21. Total liabilities (sum of items 13 through 20)                               3,076


22. Not applicable

EQUITY CAPITAL

23. Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus
24. Common stock                                                                   600
25. Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)                     9,290
26.   a. Undivided profits and capital reserves                                  5,561
      b. Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities
27. Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments
28.   a. Total equity capital (sum of items 23 through 27)                      15,451
      b. Losses deferred pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 1823(j)
      c. Total equity capital and losses deferred pursuant to 12  U.S.C. 
         1823(j) (sum of items 28.a  and 28.b)                                  15,451
29. Total liabilities, equity capital, and losses deferred pursuant to 
    12 U.S.C.. 1823 (j) (sum of items 21 and 28.c)                              18,527

</TABLE>







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