Press Release
Occam BLC 6000 Restores Internet Service to Delcambre, La. Six Days After Hurricane Rita Destroys Telecommunications Service
Delcambre Telephone Replaces Water-Logged ATM-based DSL Concentrator with Occam IP-based Broadband Loop Carrier
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Feb. 15, 2006 Occam Networks® Inc. (OTCBB: OCCM), a supplier of innovative Ethernet- and IP-based loop carrier equipment to telecommunications companies worldwide, today announced that Louisiana based Delcambre Telephone Company, Inc. deployed the company's Occam BLC 6000™ System to restore Internet service to its customers after Hurricane Rita flooded the company's central office (CO). Delcambre Telephone replaced its ATM-based access concentrator with the IP-based BLC 6000 broadband loop carrier and began delivering high-speed Internet service to its 1600 subscribers only six days after the disaster occurred.
Since its entire telecommunications infrastructure was destroyed as a result of the flooding, Delcambre decided to move to an IP/Ethernet-based solution. The telco worked with The Madison Group of Memphis, Tenn. to find a replacement solution that could be installed and put into service quickly and efficiently. The Madison Group recommended the Occam BLC 6000. After checking with a neighboring telco who had been using the BLC 6000, Delcambre selected the Occam product, and The Madison Group began programming and configuring the product,
“We were delighted with the speed at which we were able to install the BLC 6000 and begin delivering service,” said Matt Leblanc, vice president of Delcambre Telephone. “Obviously, time was of the essence for us. The Madison Group installed the product for us, and because they had completed the configuration and interoperability testing in advance, the BLC 6000 was up and running in no time. Basically, they plugged it in, and it began working.”
Price was also an issue in the final selection of the Occam BLC 6000. Delcambre found that the Occam solution provided the same number of ports for less than other products it considered. Additionally, the Occam BLC 6000 provides them with more features than other products, features that will enable the telco to deliver a broader range of services as subscribers request them.
Delcambre expects to deploy additional Occam BLCs in the future to meet the growing demand for DSL connectivity. Currently, Delcambre is adding two to three new DSL customers each week.
According to Leblanc, “We know we will need a video solution soon to remain competitive with the local cable company. But for now, we are busy installing new phone service for people who are living in FEMA campers while they repair their homes.”
“We were very pleased to be able to help Delcambre bring service back on line after the hurricane,” said Russ Sharer, vice president of sales and marketing for Occam. “I cannot remember when the ease-of-use and rapid “time-to-service” of the BLC 6000 were more needed.”
About The Madison Group
Based in Memphis, Tenn., The Madison Group is a specialty contractor for the communications industry that offers turnkey services from material provision to engineering and installation. The company provides superior network systems integration for central office projects, including access, transport, and switching, for voice, data and video services. The Madison Group also has extensive experience completing projects financed with government loans primarily from RUS: Rural Utilities Services, a part of USDA. For more information, visit www.madisong.com.
About Delcambre Telephone Inc.
Founded in 1945, Delcambre Telephone Inc. offers a local, long distance and Internet services to the residents Delcambre, La. Delcambre has approximately 1600 access lines and serves a two-parish area in South Central La. Delcambre has its headquarters in Delcambre, La. Visit www.delcambre.net for more information.
About Occam Networks Inc.
Occam Networks Inc. develops and markets innovative Broadband Loop Carrier networking equipment that enable telephone companies to deliver voice, data and video services. Based on Ethernet and Internet Protocol (IP) technologies, Occam's equipment allows telecommunications service providers to profitably deliver traditional phone services, as well as advanced voice-over-IP, residential and business broadband, and digital television services through a single, 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.