[1st-mile-nm] ?Broadband for America: The Third Way?

[Harris, Brian]

This joint project may be of interest.

Brian Harris

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Press release — Eindhoven — 26th January 2010

*Genexis teams up with Case Western Reserve University to realize a Gigabit
Fiber-to-the-Home network aimed to improve lives in American cities*

Eindhoven, January 26, 2010 — Genexis, a Netherlands-based company
developing and manufacturing equipment for broadband fiber networks, is
partnering with Case Western Reserve University to build the first of its
kind Gigabit Fiber-to-the-Home network. Called the Case Connection Zone, the
pilot program will bring true broadband to communities that - up to now -
have been left on the wrong side of the digital divide. Instead of providing
people with just basic Internet, telephony and television, the Case
Connection Zone will provide a high speed network that enables a real jump
into the information age.

Fiber-to-the-Home is seen by many as a new technology that can provide more
megabits per second to end-users. While true, the real potential of fiber
networks lies in their power to influence the way people communicate and
interact.

“Access to broadband communication is a necessity for fully engaged economic
and social development,” says Lev Gonick, Case’s Vice President for
Information Technology Services. “With a Gigabit fiber network, communities
can access services such as healthcare and e-learning and at the same time
provide people with open access to the economic opportunities that the
Internet enables. This combination of strengthening the community structure
and providing people with a superhighway to the digital world is vital to
improving lives in American cities.”

Genexis will provide its Gigabit per second Optical Communication Gateway to
the Cleveland-based initiative. Installed in the home, the gateway converts
ultra-high speed signals on optical fiber to well-known broadband services
including voice, television and Internet.

“The Genexis unit provides each home with the standard set of communication
services plus it enables a whole host of new services in the area of
healthcare, security, education and more,” says Gerlas van den Hoven, CEO of
Genexis. “The Genexis gateway combines the ultimate in communication speed
with the ability to provide multiple services from a variety of providers at
the same time.”

With the first trial scheduled to launch later this quarter, the program
aims to connect 25,000 residents in Cleveland. The initiative is joined by
many leading Cleveland-based organizations including University Hospitals,
The Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth Hospital System, OneCommunity, the Great
Lakes Science Center, public safety forces and the City of Cleveland itself.

“In the end, communications and Internet is not about just technology, it is
about people,” Gonick continues. “Genexis has understood this very well, and
has developed products for in the home that enable people to use the full
potential of broadband in a simple and user-friendly way. In addition, the
gateway is power-efficient and installer-friendly, a key factor when
installing fiber in urban areas.”

*About Genexis BV*

Genexis is a trendsetting European company dedicated to the development,
manufacturing and marketing of home gateways for fiber-to-the-home networks.
Genexis’ design philosophy takes into account the full product lifetime:
from investment and installation through to operation, our FiberXport®
product line proves to deliver the lowest cost of ownership. At the same
time, we focus on developing new concepts and products aimed to take full
advantage of the benefits of optical fiber. Our customers are network
operators throughout the world. The Genexis solid technical knowledge and
skills in fiber technology, Ethernet/IP and CATV networks, results in
superior product performance. To meet and exceed our customers’ future
expectations, Genexis participates in several innovative research programs.
Genexis is based in Eindhoven, the Netherlands — the centre of one of
Europe’s key high-tech regions. www.genexis.eu

*About Case Western Reserve University*

Case is among the nation’s leading research institutions. Founded in 1826
and shaped by the unique merger of the Case Institute of Technology and
Western Reserve University, Case is distinguished by its strengths in
education, research, service, and experiential learning. Located in
Cleveland, Case offers nationally recognized programs in the Arts and
Sciences, Dental Medicine, Engineering, Law, Management, Medicine, Nursing,
and Social Work. www.case.edu
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