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FairPoint Communications Selects Occam Networks BLC 6000 System to Deliver ‘Triple Play' Voice, Video and Data Services

BLC 6000 System Chosen for Ability to Dramatically Increase Bandwidth Through Gigabit Ethernet Transport While Decreasing Cost of Service Delivery

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – July 23, 2003 – Occam Networks Inc. (OTCBB: OCCM), a supplier of innovative Ethernet and IP-based loop carrier equipment to telecommunications companies worldwide, today announced that FairPoint Communications, a leading provider of telecommunications services to rural communities in the United States has selected Occam Networks' BLC 6000 System to provide voice, video and data services to subscribers. FairPoint maintains more than 250,000 access lines across 18 states and will begin to use the BLC 6000 to deploy voice, video and DSL service to customers in its Yelm, Wash. service area. FairPoint will also use the BLC 6000 in an edge out application, where it will be providing competitive services in selected markets in Idaho.

“The bandwidth of Gigabit Ethernet gives us plenty of capacity and a great deal of flexibility to provide voice, video and data services at a profitable price point,” said Bob Ingram, senior vice president of operations and engineering at FairPoint Communications. “The BLC 6000 also allows us to use IP to deliver all three services, simplifying our access network while preparing it for additional services in the future.”

The BLC 6000 System, which was announced in May 2003, is the first modular loop carrier system that integrates standard IP protocols for transport and control, offers scalable Ethernet trunking and eliminates the need for additional pieces of access equipment such as a DSLAM, Ethernet switch, Optical Add Drop multiplexor and VoIP gateway. The BLC 6000 System is also the first loop carrier to integrate Gigabit Ethernet transport, which provides cost effective bandwidth for high numbers of DSL subscribers, video distribution or delivery of triple play services.

“The Occam platform is ideal for delivering triple play services,” said Ingram. “The flexibility of the BLC 6000 System is an encouraging consideration for use in deployment of other services in the FairPoint network.”

The Occam BLC 6000 scales economically from 24 to thousands of subscribers and can support both copper and fiber fed terminals allowing carriers to upgrade feeder networks with very little cost. Based on IP and Ethernet, the BLC platform enables carriers to meet current service demands and also meet future demands with greater bandwidth and capabilities – all while meeting the quality and reliability standards required in the public telephone network.

“The flexibility of the BLC 6000 System allows us to not only serve smaller independent telephone companies, but to also serve companies like FairPoint which is one of the largest incumbent carriers in the country,” said Russ Sharer, vice president of marketing and business development at Occam Networks. “Carriers of any size understand the technological and economic advantages of using Ethernet and IP technology and our system allows them to leverage those advantages simply and economically.”

About Occam Networks Inc.
Occam Networks Inc. develops and markets a suite of Broadband Loop Carriers, innovative Ethernet- and IP-based loop carrier platforms that enable telecommunications service providers to profitably deliver a variety of traditional as well as packetized voice, broadband and Internet Protocol (IP) services from a single, converged, all-packet access network. Occam is headquartered in Santa Barbara, Calif. Additional information can be found at www.occamnetworks.com.

Portions of this press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future performance of Occam Networks. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from any future performance suggested in such statements. Rapidly changing technologies and market conditions may require changes to Occam's products. Occam does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Please also refer to the company's most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q, annual report on Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC. These filings contain and identify other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.