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Occam Networks GPON OLT and ONT Solution Receive USDA Rural Development Acceptance

^{Published on 2008-12-18 11:34:35 - Market Wire}
 

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--Occam Networks (Nasdaq:OCNW), a leading broadband access supplier offering multiservice access platform (MSAP) solutions based on pure packet technologies, announced today that it has received Rural Development Telecommunications Program acceptance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) for its BLC 6000 series 6322 GPON Optical Line Terminal (OLT) and its ON 2400 series Optical Network Terminals (ONTs).

The RD Program loans service providers in eligible rural communities the funds necessary to secure the required equipment and facilities to build broadband networks. The program accepted Occam's GPON and ONT products based upon careful inspection of field installation, product design and performance data. The GPON solution's performance was further validated by numerous field trials at customer installations including Marquette Adams Telephone Cooperative (Oxford, Wisconsin).

Palmetto Engineering and Consulting, an independent consulting engineering firm, conducted a series of tests on Occam's GPON 6322 platform and ON 2440 ONT. "During our evaluation, we examined the quality of Occam's products, running a series of tests for voice, video and data," said Chris Roland, Principal, Palmetto Engineering and Consulting. "Occam's ease of deployment, rapid turn up and outstanding performance exceeded our expectations. We highly recommend these products for service providers participating in the USDA RD loan program."

Occam has actively participated in the USDA Rural Development listing program since 2002. In 2004, Occam's BLC 6000 series MSAP was accepted to the list of materials for Access solutions. Occam's Gigabit Ethernet OLT blades and ON 2300 series of Gigabit Ethernet ONTs are also on the list.

"Acceptance of the BLC 6322 GPON platform and ON 2400 series ONTs to the USDA Rural Development 'List of Materials' will help accelerate deployment of high-speed broadband services to rural communities nationwide. Broadband is critical to communities eager to improve their education and business environments, as well as provide a wide range of video, gaming and other entertainment options," said Juan Vela Director of Solutions Marketing and Strategy, Occam Networks. "Occam's pure packet, high performance BLC and ONT solutions simplify the transition to fiber and new revenue-enhancing services."

For more information on the BLC 6322 and ON 2400 ONT series, please visit: [ www.occamnetworks.com ].

About Occam Networks Inc.

Occam Networks' broadband access solutions empower service providers to offer profitable new voice, data and video services over copper and fiber. Occam systems deliver flexibility and scalability in a Triple Play world. Over 2 million BLC 6000 ports are currently deployed at over 315 service providers in North America and the Caribbean. For more information, please visit [ www.occamnetworks.com ].

Cautionary Note about Forward-Looking Statements

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 and the willingness and ability of our customers to purchase additional Occam products and upgrade their product offerings. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from any future performance suggested in such statements. In particular, rapidly changing technologies and market conditions may require changes to Occam's products, and the willingness of our customers to purchase upgraded products such as Triple Play will depend in part on customers' existing network configurations and any incremental costs associated with implementing upgrades. 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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