Press Release
Monday November 20, 6:59 am Eastern Time
SOURCE: Advanced Switching Communications, Inc.
Advanced Switching Communications Announces OEM Agreement with Advanced Fibre Communications
Application Extends Reach of Broadband DSL-based Solutions
VIENNA, Va., Nov. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanced Switching Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASCX - news), a leading provider of broadband access platforms, today announced a multi-year original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreement with Advanced Fibre Communications®, Inc. (Nasdaq: AFCI - news; AFC®), a leader in multi-service broadband solutions for the telecommunications industry. The solution offered by AFC and targeted for carriers and service providers worldwide, helps accelerate the deployment of enhanced end-to-end broadband access network solutions for the local loop. AFC's and ASC's innovative approach effectively extends the reach of service providers to a broader audience of customers, optimizing the provider's capital investment, while minimizing deployment complexity.
Under the terms of the agreement, AFC will resell ASC's broadband access products to local exchange carriers and service providers as part of its complete end-to-end DSL solution breaking through the geographic digital divide by delivering broadband services to subscribers residing beyond 12 to 18,000 feet (approximately 3.7 to 5.5 kilometers) from the central office, local exchange or point of presence (PoP). The typical solution utilizes ASC's A-1240 platform for cost-effective aggregation of up to 24 T1/E1 ATM facilities from AFC's AccessMAX(TM) systems onto a single optimized connection to the Internet service provider. The combined offering of AFC's AccessMAX family of multi-service access platforms and ASC's aggregation and switching products generates significant commercial benefits to service providers. Aside from extending the reach of DSL services, this solution significantly reduces costs by streamlining transport architectures, leveraging existing infrastructure, and reducing equipment and operating expenses over the last mile of access.
``Providing an affordable, high-speed on-ramp from the vast access network to the Internet backbone, this partnership demonstrates the diversity of applications that ASC products enable,'' said Larry Kraft, ASC's vice president of marketing. ``Our relationship with AFC offers compelling and complementary value to incumbent carriers and PTTs worldwide.''
AFC's AccessMAX family of multi-service access platforms overcomes distance barriers faced by service providers relying on central office deployment. AFC offers versatile and modular expansion of broadband services over existing infrastructure. AFC's line of AccessMAX platforms includes the UMC1000®, DMAX(TM), EMAX(TM), EMAXplus(TM), and FibreMAX(TM). These environmentally hardened and highly scalable remote and central office-based access systems enable the seamless integration of prevalent and fast growing services deployed by service providers -- POTS, COIN, P-Phone, ISDN, T1/E1 and broadband xDSL.
According to RHK, Inc., the leading telecommunications market research firm, over 30% of end-users in the United States receive services via remote access terminals. ``This equipment combination between ASC and AFC opens up new market opportunities for service providers,'' commented Claude Romans, director of access network systems for RHK. ``Profitably addressing the vast majority of broadband customers beyond the reach of central office deployments requires a remote terminal solution combined with cost-effective aggregation.''
About AFC
Headquartered in Petaluma, Calif., Advanced Fibre Communications, Inc. (AFC) designs and manufactures worldwide broadband access solutions for the last mile. AFC's OmniMAX(TM) is a global product family consisting of industry-leading multi-service access platforms with integrated optics and intelligent customer premises equipment. AFC's OmniMAX products can quickly and cost-effectively upgrade legacy networks, ubiquitously delivering narrowband, wideband, and broadband services to all subscribers regardless of their geographic location from their carrier's central office.
AFC's OmniMAX product portfolio consists of: AccessMAX, a variety of broadband multi-service access platforms that provide local loop voice, data and broadband solutions; PremMAX(TM), a series of integrated access devices (IADs) that provide integrated voice and data at the customer premises; and TransMAX(TM), a Sonet/SDH optical transport system for metro ring solutions. AFC is also a leading designer and manufacturer of environmentally hardened outside plant cabinets and technology, ranging from 48 to 2,048 lines, as well as indoor cabinets ranging from 48 to 480 lines.
AFC, the AFC logo, and the UMC1000 are registered trademarks of AFC. ADSL x+y, EMAX, EMAXplus, DMAX, PremMAX, OmniMAX, TransMAX, and AccessMAX are trademarks of AFC. All other products or service names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.
About ASC
Headquartered in Vienna, Va., Advanced Switching Communications Inc. is a leading provider of next-generation broadband access platforms for telecommunications companies and Internet service providers. ASC's architecture provides flexibility and scalability that enables service providers to deploy broadband services aggressively. ASC products are NEBS Level 3 certified and interoperable with the industry's leading telecommunications equipment providers. More information about ASC is available online at www.asc.com .
SOURCE: Advanced Switching Communications, Inc. |
