Be advised that AFCI recently purchased GVN Technologies Inc. of Largo, Florida. GVN develops integrated access device (IAD) equipment for communications service providers, so the acquisition expands Advanced Fibre's own product portfolio and gives it the ability to provide access products for converged voice and data networks.
The GVN acquisition will allow AFCI to deploy DSL equipment to the end-user and the CO so they can integrate voice and data over fibre. I suspect phone companies that eventually want to deploy voice over IP will look at AFCI's approach as a very cost effective (cost per POT) solution for upgrading a legacy network.
The European phone networks are legacy in type, use many of the older type switches and have a much more difficult upgrade path to convert systems to digital and fibre lines.
This is why you have seen more US contracts for new equipment deployment by CLEC (Common Local Exchange Carriers) as they have newer systems that are easily converted to utilize the new fibre circuits. Look at the recent NEXTLINK deal below. Also a $45 million contract was announced last week with Century Telephone another CLEC in the U.S..
The deal signed with France Telecom (see below) allows AFCI to work with the company to help design and deploy a digital system that combines the most cost effective upgrade path and greatest flexibility to deploy DSL and voice over IP given their current network legacy hardware WITHOUT completely replacing their current systems.
ALA and Nortel also provide similar systems but a bit different in overall design. Their approach generally call for more of an up front capital investment for new next generation hardware (ie fibre optic multiplexers, laser switches etc.). ALA does deploy a similar local loop carrier devise like AFCI and is sold by DIGI which was acquired by ALA two years ago.
The global market is huge and growing. However, each regional network (i.e. Europe, South America, Canada, U. S.) have their own problems with legacy equipment that needs to be upgraded to digital fibre. AFCI, with their new management and flexible product technology has been quite successful in winning multi-year contracts both in the U.S and around the world. AFCI has focused their foreign business efforts recently in France, South America and Australia.
Hope this helps.
EKS
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March 28, 2000 - AFCI signed a contract with NEXTLINK. The NEXTLINK contract for AFC's Universal Modular Carrier (UMC1000©) Multi-Service Access Platform. The platform utilizes a hybrid ATM/TDM architecture, which provides a variety of loop interfaces for POTS, ISDN, T-1/E-1, HDSL and ADSL services over various feeder transmission options, including copper, fiber, and wireless. NEXTLINK's fibre network will supply both US and Canada.
On March 14, 2000 - Advanced Fibre Communications Signs Multi-Year Supplier Contract With France Telecom for Access Equipment
(http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/000314/ca_advance_1.html)
The new contract includes the option to deploy AFC's access equipment in the France Telecom metropolitan network and in France Telecom's worldwide subsidiaries. In addition, this new agreement provides the opportunity for AFC and France Telecom to jointly specify and develop products should the
requirement arise. AFC and France Telecom are also in final negotiations on a services contract for the UMC1000 installed base in France.
February 23, 2000 - Fujitsu Signs an Agreement With Advanced
Fibre Communications For Multi-Service Access Solutions and Next Generation Digital Loop Carriers
(http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/000223/ca_afc_fuj_1.html)
"This is an important step for both Fujitsu and AFC, providing both companies with a firm foundation on which to build and extend our market penetration. We look forward to a long and successful relationship, based on a close working partnership." |
