Program for Rural Development Accelerates Deployment of Broadband Services Critical for Community Growth
SANTA BARBARA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Occam Networks®, Inc. (Nasdaq:OCNW), a leading broadband access supplier offering multiservice access platform (MSAP) solutions based on pure packet technologies, announced today that its ON 2500 series GPON Optical Network Terminals (ONT) have been added to the List of Materials for use in telecommunications networks by USDA Rural Development borrowers.
“In today’s economic climate, community leaders are eager to attract businesses, educational institutions and other organizations that can provide jobs and contribute to economic development. High-speed broadband access has proven repeatedly to be a significant factor in attracting new economic activity.”
This listing allows communications service providers to utilize loans and grants provided by the RUS to deploy broadband services, particularly in rural development areas throughout the United States. Further, applicants looking to secure funds from the RUS-managed Broadband Infrastructure Program (BIP) are encouraged, though not required, to utilize this list of materials to streamline the vendor selection process.
Occam Networks ONTs provide high-bandwidth transport and fiber line termination of the BLC 6000 multiservice access platform and deliver a variety of applications to single family residences, multiple tenant buildings, businesses and community organizations with equal simplicity, flexibility and cost efficiency. The ON 2500 series of ONTs offers a full suite of options including distribution of television services over existing RF coaxial wiring, which streamlines the installation process. Other product options include HomePNA support, T1 interfaces for SMB applications and outdoor packaging that integrates into existing service provider installation practices.
”The ON 2500 series’ acceptance to the USDA Rural Development ‘List of Materials’ will contribute to the more rapid deployment of high-speed broadband services to rural communities,” said Juan Vela, Director, Solutions Marketing and Strategy for Occam. “In today’s economic climate, community leaders are eager to attract businesses, educational institutions and other organizations that can provide jobs and contribute to economic development. High-speed broadband access has proven repeatedly to be a significant factor in attracting new economic activity.”
Occam has participated actively in the USDA Rural Development listing program since 2002.
Today, accepted solutions include Occam’s BLC 6000 MSAP, the ON 2300 series of GigE ONTs, the ON 2400 series of GPON ONTs and now the ON 2500 series GPON ONTs.
Interesting. Hill Country Telephone Cooperative/Telecommunications uses Occam equipment…maybe they'll get a nice RUS check and will be able to push going FTTTH that much faster. From what I gather, they're already FTTN with relatively short loop lengths (~7k feet) on Occam DSL equipment, quite an accomplishment considering the low population density they're covering in most of their service area.
Nice shout out Ian. What you'll find though is Hill Country is representative of many rural LECs across the country doing similar amazing things, given the density challenges they face. Literaly hundreds of them are building FTTN and FTTH facilities.
And just to clarify, the RUS listing doesn't give Hill access to any funds – just allows RUS borrowers to purchase Occam equip. with RUS funds. It's more of a win for Occam than for the telcos.