Acquisition

Spirent PLC
16 August 2002

                                                            808 - 16 August 2002

             SPIRENT PLC COMPLETES ACQUISITON OF CAW NETWORKS, INC.

Spirent plc (LSE: SPT; NYSE: SPM), a leading international network technology
company, announces that it has completed the acquisition of Caw Networks, Inc.
(Caw) for an initial cash consideration of $49 million (approximately £31.6
million) comprised of approximately $45 million in cash and $4 million in a
combination of Spirent restricted shares and options pursuant to an employee
stock plan. The cash element of the initial consideration will be funded out of
the proceeds of Spirent's recent divestments.

Deferred consideration up to a value of $60 million (approximately £38.7
million), expected to be satisfied by the issue of a maximum of 32.3 million
Spirent shares, is payable on an earn-out basis dependent upon the revenues and
certain technological milestones achieved by Caw for the year ending 31 December
2003.

In connection with the rollover of Caw Common Stock under the Caw 2000 Stock
Plan into Spirent Ordinary shares, 2,597,417 Spirent Ordinary shares of 3 1/3p
each have been issued as part of the initial consideration.

Accordingly, in respect of the Spirent restricted shares, application has been
made to The UK Listing Authority for Ordinary shares to be admitted to the
Official List and to the London Stock Exchange for these Ordinary shares to be
admitted to trading. The Ordinary shares rank pari passu with the existing
issued Ordinary shares of the Company. Dealings are expected to commence on 16
August 2002 subject to the restrictions in the stock plan rules.

Commenting on the acquisition which was announced on 22 July 2002, Nicholas
Brookes, Chief Executive of Spirent, said:

'This acquisition provides us with key software technology to pursue a new and
critical sector of the market that is highly complementary to our existing
performance analysis capabilities. With Caw's technology, we will be able to
provide comprehensive Layer 1 to 7 solutions enabling us to further penetrate
our existing customer base and broaden our reach in the enterprise IT market.'

                                    - ends -

Enquiries

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

Investor Relations
Catherine Nash                       Spirent plc            [phone]

Media
Jon Coles/Rupert Young               Brunswick (London)    [phone]
Lauren Teggelaar                     Brunswick (New York)      [phone]



About Spirent

Spirent plc is an international network technology company providing
state-of-the-art solutions with a focus on high growth activities. Our
Communications group unites leading edge performance analysis technology with
network operations expertise, enabling customers to accelerate the development,
deployment and assurance of next generation network equipment and services
worldwide. Further information about Spirent plc can be found at www.spirent.com

Spirent plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (ticker: SPT) and on the New
York Stock Exchange (ticker: SPM; CUSIP number: 84856M209) with one American
Depositary Receipt representing four Ordinary shares.

Spirent and the Spirent logo are trademarks of Spirent plc. All other trademarks
or registered trademarks are held by their respective companies. All rights
reserved.


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can identify these statements by their use of words such as 'will,'
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include: aggressive competition; our ability to develop and commercialise new
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or acquisition of and subsequent ability to integrate businesses; our reliance
on third party manufacturers and suppliers; our exposure to liabilities for
product defects; our reliance on proprietary technology; our ability to attract
and retain qualified personnel; risks of doing business internationally; risks
of downturns in the industries in which we participate; and other risks
described from time to time in Spirent plc's Securities and Exchange Commission
periodic reports and filings. We undertake no obligation to update our
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise.




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