[1st-mile-nm] PacketFront gets RUS Tech. Acceptance

[Richard Lowenberg]

As an advocate of 'open' community fiber broadband networking, I'm also
an advocate for PacketFront's technology and services solutions.   The RUS
seems to agree.   Links to PacketFront, the RUS and other 'open' broadband
resources can be found on the 1st-Mile web site's Resources pages.
rl
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www.packetfront.com
Nashua, NH // 2007-05-31

PacketFront's total FTTH solution accepted by USDA's Rural Utilities
Service

PacketFront, the pioneer of open-access broadband networking, announced
today that its complete Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) solution has attained
Technical Acceptance by the United States Department of Agriculture's
Rural Utilities Service (RUS).   By achieving Technical Acceptance, rural
FTTH and tele-communication projects are now able to implement the
PacketFront solution with the assistance of grants and loans from RUS.
PacketFront is the first fully integrated FTTH solution to attain
Technical Acceptance from RUS.

The key component in PacketFront's FTTH solution is the award-winning BECS
control and provisioning system.   BECS makes it possible for operators to
build and run fully automated broadband networks with self-provisioning
capabilities, in both open-access and retail business models.   End users
are able to self-subscribe to their own broadband services through a
web-based portal, without any manual interaction between the service
provider or network operator. This keeps operational costs low for the
delivery and support of the services, while passing on to the consumer the
savings from increased efficiencies.   The PacketFront solution also
consists of the SMT and HMT management tools for customer care and
helpdesk responsibilities, as well as the ASR portfolio of Advanced
Services Routers and the DRG family of customer premises equipment.   The
complete PacketFront FTTH solution has been Technically Accepted by RUS.

"We are thrilled to have attained Technical Acceptance from RUS for our
total FTTH solution," said Matt Wenger, VP Sales for the Americas of
PacketFront Inc. "This will only strengthen our commitment to providing
successful broadband solutions, both technically and economically, to
rural America."

Proven in over 150 communities worldwide, the PacketFront solution
provides a cost-efficient infrastructure for the delivery of advanced
broadband services such as telemedicine, distance education, television,
telephone, Internet, and more.   PacketFront's expertise is in delivering
a fully successful broadband network, based on advanced technology and
solid economic principals, fulfilling the community's goals and
objectives.   PacketFront's customers include the largest, most successful
community and utility fiber networks in the world, as well as property
developers, carriers and cable companies. Several of these customers have
won prestigious industry accolades such as the Cornerstone Awards for
"Municipal Area Network of the Year", "Most Advanced Fiber to the Premise
Network", "Best Use of Fiber to Bridge the Digital Divide", and "FTTH and
FTTB with Most Advanced IP Services".

RUS provides funding to rural communities for deploying the most advanced
broadband systems that support the delivery of vital community services,
such as distance learning and telemedicine. By having access to these
broadband applications, communities have an opportunity to improve quality
of life and continue to grow.   The Broadband Access Loan program provides
loans for funding the costs of construction, improvement, and acquisition
of facilities to provide broadband service to eligible rural communities.
The Distance Learning and Telemedicine program continues its charge of
bringing electronic educational resources to rural schools and improving
health care delivery in rural America.   Lastly, the Community Connect
Grant program provides financial assistance to eligible applicants that
will provide currently unserved areas with broadband service that fosters
economic growth and public safety services.


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Richard Lowenberg
P.O.Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504
505-989-9110,  505-603-5200 cell

New Mexico Broadband Initiative
www.1st-mile.com/newmexico
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