Optical Cable Corporation Announces Increased Quarterly Dividend

ROANOKE, Va., Jan. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --  Optical Cable Corporation (Nasdaq GM: OCC) ("OCC®" or the "Company") today announced that the Company's Board of Directors has increased the regular quarterly cash dividend to be paid to OCC's shareholders by 50%. OCC's Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.015 per share on the Company's common stock effective January 13, 2012.  The dividend will be paid on or about February 15, 2012 to shareholders of record on January 27, 2012.  The amount of this quarterly dividend represents an increase of 50%, or $0.005 per share, over the regular quarterly dividend initiated by OCC in October 2010. The new dividend rate announced today implies an annual cash dividend of $0.06 per common share. Neil Wilkin, President and Chief Executive Officer of OCC, said, "The decision to increase OCC's quarterly dividend demonstrates our confidence in OCC's long-term cash flow and prospects, as well as our commitment to returning capital to shareholders." Company Information Optical Cable Corporation ("OCC®") is a leading manufacturer of a broad range of fiber optic and copper data communications cabling and connectivity solutions primarily for the enterprise market, offering an integrated suite of high quality, warranted products which operate as a system solution or seamlessly integrate with other providers' offerings.  OCC's product offerings include designs for uses ranging from commercial, enterprise network, datacenter, residential and campus installations to customized products for specialty applications and harsh environments, including military, industrial, mining and broadcast applications. OCC products include fiber optic and copper cabling, fiber optic and copper connectors, specialty fiber optic and copper connectors, fiber optic and copper patch cords, pre-terminated fiber optic and copper cable assemblies, racks, cabinets, datacom enclosures, patch panels, face plates, multi-media boxes and other cable and connectivity management accessories, and are designed to meet the most demanding needs of end-users, delivering a high degree of reliability and outstanding performance characteristics. OCC® is internationally recognized for pioneering the design and production of fiber optic cables for the most demanding military field applications, as well as of fiber optic cables suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, and creating a broad product offering built on the evolution of these fundamental technologies.  OCC also is internationally recognized for its role in establishing copper connectivity data communications standards, through its innovative and patented technologies. Founded in 1983, OCC is headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia with offices, manufacturing and warehouse facilities located in each of Roanoke, Virginia, near Asheville, North Carolina and near Dallas, Texas.  OCC primarily manufactures its fiber optic cables at its Roanoke facility which is ISO 9001:2008 registered and MIL-STD-790F certified, its enterprise connectivity products at its Asheville facility which is ISO 9001:2008 registered, and its military and harsh environment connectivity products and systems at its Dallas facility which is ISO 9001:2008 registered and MIL-STD-790F certified. Optical Cable Corporation, OCC, Superior Modular Products, SMP Data Communications, Applied Optical Systems, and associated logos are trademarks of Optical Cable Corporation. Further information about OCC® is available on the Internet at www.occfiber.com.