Press Release
Seven Iowa Telcos Select Occam Networks' BLC 6000 System to Offer Triple Play and Other New Services
Iowa ILECS Select Active Fiber Architecture for FTTH
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - September 17, 2006 - Seven leading local telecommunications carriers in Iowa have turned to Occam to upgrade their networks for offering new services, such as Triple Play, to customers. Occam Networks Inc. (OTCBB:OCNW) is a supplier of innovative Ethernet- and IP-based loop carrier equipment to ILECs, IOCs and other telecommunications companies.
Farmers Mutual Telephone Cooperative/USACommunications sells local and long distance phone service, cable TV, DSL and related services. Farmers deployed several Occam BLC 6000 blade types, the majority being the BLC 6252. Farmers is now offering subscribers complete Triple Play services: voice, high-speed data and video, at current speeds of 28 Mbps and potential speeds up to one gigabit per second.
"We studied the solutions proposed by several companies and selected Occam Networks' BLC based on the ease of deployment, proven technology and customer service," said Mark Harrison, general manager of USACommunications. "We are convinced that Occam's BLC equipment gives us the simplest and most reliable solution with the flexibility and scalability we need to best serve our customers."
Alpine Communications currently provides local and long distance service to six exchanges in northeast Iowa. Alpine offers customers a full range of telecommunications services from Caller ID and Voice Mail to Internet, long distance plans and special circuits. Headquartered in Elkader, Alpine Communications also offers cable television service in seven rural communities in northeast Iowa.
Alpine required a solution that would enable the carrier to increase bandwidth to customers through their existing platform and AFC cabinets. Occam installed BLC 6214 blades that provide the bandwidth required to offer video services and includes a splitter that allows POTS lines to be directly affixed to the blade, enabling both POTS and ADSL2plus to be delivered to subscribers. The 6214 fits inside Alpine's existing cabinets, avoiding the need for expensive cabinet replacement.
Northeast Iowa Telephone (NEIT), based in Monona, offers customers a complete range of landline and cellular voice services, DSL and digital cable television. NEIT required a solution to shorten broadband loop lengths to facilitate providing Triple Play services. NEIT deployed Occam's BLC 6000 system in combination with a leading softswitch product, which enables NEIT to complete a pure IP connection at the switch, removing the need to convert back to a TDM digital connection.
Baldwin/Nashville Telephone Company, headquartered in Baldwin, sells local and long distance phone service, DSL and cable television services. Baldwin/Nashville completed a switch replacement project and also selected Occam as an access gateway to their new softswitch, based on Occam's proven track record to provide pure IP connections into their switch.
Schaller Telephone Company, offers landline voice, DSL and digital cable television services. Based in Schaller, the company utilizes Occam equipment to offer POTS and DSL from remote cabinets. Occam installed BLC 6252 blades to integrate with the company's existing Class 5 switch. Cooperative Telephone Exchange, based in Stanhope, sells phone, DSL, cable television and related services. The company selected Occam for Gigabit Active FTTH (Fiber to the Home). They will be providing FTTP services to more than 500 homes and offer Triple Play services.
Andrew Telephone, offers multiple voice and data services. The company deployed Occam BLC 6314 blades in a DSLAM configuration.
"Occam's BLC product line gives local telcos unprecedented options for upgrading their networks while minimizing CAPEX and OPEX," said Russ Sharer, vice president of sales and marketing for Occam Networks. "The growing interest in Occam's BLC solutions demonstrates the simplicity of our technology and quality of our service. We are excited to help these seven Iowa telcos offer customer new services and expand their businesses."
Occam Networks is a leading provider of loop carrier equipment to local telcos in Iowa. Nearly 20 Iowa incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) are Occam customers.
About Occam Networks Inc.
Occam Networks' broadband loop carrier (BLC) solutions enable telecommunications and other service providers to offer innovative voice, broadband, IPTV and full Triple Play services over copper or fiber. Occam solutions give telco service providers flexibility and scalability to expand their offerings, with simplicity of service deployment. Occam's BLC products and services are currently deployed at over 170 service providers in North America. For more information, please visit www.occamnetworks.com.
Portions of this press release may contain forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future performance of Occam Networks, including statements predicting increased adoption of products and technologies offered by Occam. 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.
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Contact:Tim Johnson
Stearns Johnson Communications
1-415-397-7600, tjohnson@stearnsjohnson.com
Occam Networks and Occam BLC 6000 are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Occam Networks Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.
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