(Applies to: ELAS)
Independent Telephone Companies Select Elastic Networks Intelligent IP
DSL Solutions
42 Rural telcos adopt EtherLoop technology for broadband service rollout
ALPHARETTA, Ga., Nov 14, 2000 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Elastic Networks Inc.
(NASDAQ:
ELAS) today announced that 42 independent telephone companies in the United
States and Canada have purchased EtherLoop(TM)-based solutions to provide
high-speed Internet access in their local service areas.
Among the most recent companies to select Elastic Networks next-generation
DSL
technology are Liberty Communications, Breda Telephone, Southeastern
Indiana
Telephone, Bretton Woods Telephone, Sharon Telephone, Clarence Telephone,
Panora
Telephone, Newport Telephone, Hay Communications, United Telephone
Association,
People's Communications/Xcelco, Clay County Rural Telephone, Green Hills
Telephone, Somerset Telephone, Cumberland Telephone, Mornington
Communications,
Quadro Communications, HuronTel, Nicholville Telephone, and Granby
Telephone.
"We are committed to providing the solutions our partners need to meet the
challenge of the new, interactive Internet," said Guy Gill, president and
CEO of
Elastic Networks. "Elastic Networks' technology is proving itself in the
market
place. The pent-up demand for high-speed Internet access solutions, and the
inability to meet this demand using conventional xDSL technologies, has
created
a tremendous opportunity for innovative new technologies like EtherLoop. We
are
taking full advantage of this opportunity."
Telephone companies serving rural or widely dispersed markets were among
the
first to standardize on the Elastic Networks' EtherLoop technology for its
extended reach of 21,000 feet, bi-directional bandwidth up to 4Mbps,
ability to
work over "dirty" copper, low cost deployment, and reliable performance.
Rural
telcos have benefited from Elastic Networks' award winning speed-up America
initiative, which focuses on EtherLoop-based solutions to bridge the
broadband
`digital divide' in rural communities.
Increasingly, telephone companies and other service providers have come to
value
EtherLoop's spectral compatibility - a unique capability that allows
EtherLoop
to overcome the interference, or `crosstalk,' generated by other services
in a
binder cable, such as T-1 or ADSL. This enables service providers to
successfully deploy EtherLoop DSL where conventional xDSL services fail and
eliminates the need for binder management.
"The two main issues facing rural DSL providers are long loop lengths and
inconsistent quality of the copper infrastructure," said Matt Davis, senior
analyst for the Yankee Group. "Our research suggests that technologies that
can
address these issues will enable carriers to substantially increase their
DSL
service coverage. EtherLoop is one such technology that can effectively
address
these network challenges."
"You can have every customer on EtherLoop without the problem of
`crosstalk,'"
commented Craig Bieber, controller for Liberty Communications in West
Liberty,
Iowa. "We looked at several [DSL] equipment vendors but when we compared
flexibility of services, we chose Elastic Networks. EtherLoop overcomes the
problem of contamination in the binder group."
"We're very excited about our EtherLoop based DSL roll out and the fact
that we
are able to provide service levels our neighboring Bell operating company
doesn't offer," said Craig Mock, general manager of United Telephone
Association
in Dodge City, Kansas. "We looked at several different technologies but
chose
EtherLoop because our staff and technicians can install it easily and, when
you
turn it on, it works. Ethernet is gaining new momentum as the technology of
choice for next generation IP networks and we like the fact that EtherLoop
is
based on Ethernet."
The rapid adoption of Elastic Networks' central office and outside plant
solutions is further accelerated by the new Storm System family of
intelligent
IP-based products. The EtherLoop-based Storm System offers a simple and
efficient end-to-end IP solution to power bandwidth intensive interactive
applications such as toll-quality Voice over IP; secure, network-based
VPNs;
scaleable multicast audio and video streaming; high-speed interactive
gaming;
and localized web hosting. The MicroBurst remote IP mini-DSLAM enables
telcos to
cost-effectively deploy broadband services from digital loop carriers and
other
remote network devices that until now, have been a bottleneck to high-speed
service delivery. The Storm System also provides exceptional levels of
control
for network managers, enabling them to remotely monitor service levels and
allocate bandwidth by IP across their customer base.
About Elastic Networks Inc.
Elastic Networks (NASDAQ: ELAS) is a leader in innovative, next-generation
DSL
technology and high-speed Internet access solutions, enabling
telecommunications
service providers to easily offer affordable broadband services that
simplify
the way people connect. By leveraging its technological differentiation in
speed, deployability, and economics, and by building strategic
relationships
with distributor, chip manufacturing, and data networking partners, Elastic
Networks continues to increase the pervasiveness of its innovative
technology in
markets throughout the world. The company has offices in Alpharetta, GA,
and
Hong Kong.
For more information about Elastic Networks and its high-speed access and
subscriber management solutions, visit www.elastic.com,
www.speedupamerica.com,
or contact Elastic's U.S. headquarters in Alpharetta, Georgia, directly at
(678)
297-3100. For investor information, e-mail Elastic at irinfo@elastic.com,
or
call (678) 297-3100.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain of the statements contained in this release are forward-looking
statements (rather than historical facts) that are subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those
described. With respect to such forward-looking statements, the Company
seeks
the protections afforded by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. These risks include, without limitation, (1) that the Company may
fail to
be competitive with existing and new competitors, (2) that the Company may
not
maintain or grow its level of revenues, given its currently limited
customer
base, (3) that the Company's limited number of product offerings may fail
to
achieve widespread market acceptance, (4) that negative changes in customer
demands and requirements regarding our prices, technology and products may
occur, (5) that DSL technology may fail to achieve widespread market
penetration, (6) that interruptions or disruptions in our product shipments
and/or our various arrangements with our distributors, manufacturers or
resellers may negatively impact our ability to make sales and/or minimize
our
costs, (7) that the Company may not adequately respond to technological and
regulatory developments impacting the telecommunications industry, (8) that
needed financing may not be available to the Company if and as needed, (9)
that
a decline in the size and potential growth of the MTU, carrier and
international
markets for our technology may occur, (10) that a significant reversal in
the
trend toward increased usage of the Internet may occur, (11) that a
drastic,
negative change in the U.S. economy or market conditions may occur, and
(12)
that some other unforeseen difficulties may occur from time to time. This
list
is intended to identify certain of the principal factors that could cause
actual
results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking
statements included elsewhere herein. These factors are not intended to
represent a complete list of all risks and uncertainties inherent in the
Company's business, and should be read in conjunction with the more
detailed
cautionary statements included elsewhere in the Company's most recent
filings
with the SEC.
CONTACT: GCI Group
Melissa Davis, 404/870-6790
mdavis@gcigroup.com
or
Becca Brett, 404/898-1643
bbrett@gcigroup.com |
