Press Release
Tularosa Basin Telephone Chooses Occam Networks BLC 6000 to Upgrade Outside Plant Facilities
Telco Replacing Copper Infrastructure with FTTP and FTTN to Deliver Advanced Services
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - July 13, 2006 - Occam Networks Inc. (OTCBB: OCNW), a supplier of innovative Ethernet- and IP-based loop carrier equipment to telecommunications companies, today announced that Tularosa Basin Telephone Company, Inc. (TBTC) has selected the company's Occam BLC 6000T System to upgrade its outside plant facilities with fiber to the premise (FTTP) and fiber to the node (FTTN). The new Active Ethernet (AE) fiber network will enable TBTC to provide all of its subscribers with a full range of Triple Play services: voice and high- speed data and video, with up to one gigabit per second of bandwidth."We are delighted to partner with Occam Networks in building our new fiber network," said Charlie Ferrell, vice president and general manager of Tularosa Telephone. "Occam has a stellar reputation and a proven track record of helping its customers build truly state-of-the-art access networks that are future proof. Because Occam is such a forward thinking company, we can build a network that provides our subscribers with a full range of advanced communications services today and feel comfortable that this same network will enable us to meet future subscriber demands."
Tularosa is building an Active Ethernet (AE) FTTP network with the Occam BLC 6000. In an Active Ethernet network, each home or business is connected with dedicated fiber bandwidth, enabling superior operation over shared fiber passive optical networks (PONs). The FTTP network utilizes Ethernet as a delivery mechanism to provide broad connectivity to a wide variety of voice, data and entertainment customer premise equipment (CPE).
On the network side, the fiber terminates on a BLC 6312 Optical Line Termination (OLT) blade that can reside in a central office or a remote node. This approach maximizes end user bandwidth while simplifying network planning, user deployment and troubleshooting costs. The Tularosa network will use Gigabit Ethernet for service delivery, making it one of the most advanced FTTP networks in the world.
"TBTC is dedicated to bringing the same advanced services typically found in large metropolitan areas to the people of New Mexico's smaller, rural communities," Ferrell said. "This new Active Ethernet network provides us with the opportunity to offer our subscribers bundled service packages that include high-speed data, voice and video at very affordable rates."
Tularosa is deploying the Occam BLC 6000 in three phases. First phase construction is currently underway. Once the final phase has been completed, more than 60 percent of TBTC's subscribers will have fiber to the premise. The remaining 40 percent are served from short copper loops that already provide the necessary bandwidth for delivering advanced Triple Play services.
"Occam is pleased to help Tularosa execute its goal of providing subscribers of all economic levels with access to what the world of communications has to offer," said Russ Sharer, vice president of sales and marketing for Occam. "Occam's goals are to make sure that telcos like Tularosa build the kinds of networks that meet their unique requirements, that enable them to remain highly competitive and that make it possible for them to grow and prosper."
About Tularosa Basin Telephone Company, Inc.
Founded in 1996, Tularosa Basin Telephone Company, Inc. provides local, long distance, DSL and Internet access services to customers from six exchanges: Cloudcroft, High Rolls, Mountain Park, Carrizozo and Tularosa, previously owned by an RBOC. TBTC provides wireline service to more than 5100 customers and Internet service to approximately 2600 customers in an area that spans more than 1200 square miles. Tularosa Basin Telephone has its headquarters in Tularosa, New Mexico. Visit www.tbtc.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.
###
Contact:
Spencer Parkinson
Connect Public Relations
1-801-373-7888
spencerp@connectpr.com
Kirsten McGregor
Director of Marketing Communications
1-805-692-2917
kmcgregor@occamnetworks.com
Lance A. Tade
Tularosa Basin Telephone Company
1-505-585-0125
ltade@tbtc.net
Occam Networks and Occam BLC 6000 are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Occam Networks Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.
All other trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.