Press Releases
Occam Networks Enables Amherst Telephone to Expand DSL Service-availability from Zero to 90 Percent
New Occam Channel Partner Kratz Communications Provides BLCs and Integration Service Enabling Quick Deployment to Rural and Urban Amherst Customers
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Dec. 2, 2003 - Occam Networks Inc. (OTCBB: OCCM) , a supplier of innovative Ethernet and IP-based loop carrier equipment to telecommunications companies worldwide, announced today that Amherst Telephone Company, a Wisconsin-based independent telephone carrier, has chosen its BLC platform to expand DSL service across its entire service area. Kratz Communications, a telecommunications integrator and Occam channel partner, worked closely with Amherst Telephone providing installation of BLC 1200 systems across the Amherst network to expand DSL service. Upon completion of the BLC deployment, Amherst will be able to offer DSL to customers in every part of its 250-square mile service area while planning for future broadband video service using Occam's IP-based BLCs.
"Occam's platform allows us to leverage our existing network infrastructure and still provide advanced high-bandwidth services," said Carl F. Bohman, president & general manager of Amherst Telephone Company. "The Occam broadband over copper solution is important because protecting our copper investment is critical to our success." Bohman also added that Occam's ability to provide POTS, DSL and transport in a single box was very appealing to Amherst, noting the time from product purchase to service implementation across the entire network was extremely short.
Amherst Telephone Company's multiple remote switching offices are distributed across SONET fiber optic rings within its service territory. Occam Networks' BLC 1200 systems are deployed in all of the 22 remote offices, allowing Amherst to reach rural and urban customers across its entire market.
Amherst was considering various access equipment vendors for its DSL expansion initiative when Kratz Communications, an integrator and value-added-reseller to independent telephone companies throughout the Midwest, approached the company with Occam Networks' BLC platform. Kratz Communications, which recently became an Occam channel partner, offers various levels of central office (CO) equipment sales and installation services.
"With the Occam BLC platform, we were able to offer DSL, POTS and transport in a single solution, which was exactly what Amherst was looking for," said Mike Sanders, president of Kratz Communications. "Occam's equipment goes beyond simply filling a niche; it provides a complete access network solution that our customers are genuinely excited about, especially as they begin planning advanced services like video."
Through its channel program, Occam Networks works with several telecommunications integrators and resellers providing service and installation to IOCs and larger ILECs throughout the United States.
Kratz Communications has been serving the independent carrier market for decades, and they helped us serve the specific needs of Amherst Telephone Company quickly and professionally," said Russ Sharer, vice president of marketing and business development at Occam Networks. "We're pleased to have the opportunity to work with both of these companies, and look forward to continued relationships with each of them."
About Amherst Telephone
Founded in 1903, Amherst Telephone is a telecommunications
provider serving customers Central Wisconsin. Amherst provides
its customers with a full range of services from standard voice
service to economical high-speed DSL. Amherst serves approximately
5,500 access lines.
About Kratz Communications
Kratz Communications has been a Wisconsin Corporation since 1954. Kratz, a
telecommunications equipment integrator and value-added-reseller for independent
telcos, offers a comprehensive suite of central office (CO) equipment sales,
installation and service.
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.