To: David Busch who wrote (1031 ) 10/9/1998 9:38:00 AM From: Roy F Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 3299
Advanced Fibre Communications' NGDLC Access Platform Standardized By Sprint Sprint North Supply and AFC Sign Supply Contract, Expanding Distribution Channels October 9, 1998 09:26 AM PETALUMA, Calif., Oct. 9, /PRNewswire/ --Advanced Fibre Communications(R), Inc. (AFC) AFCI announced today a 2 1/2 year national distribution contract with Sprint North Supply to provide AFC's UMC 1000(R) access systems for Sprint's and other carriers' local exchange networks. The UMC 1000 has now been standardized at Sprint for higher density line- size applications. The expanded standardization is a result of AFC's response to a Next Generation Digital Loop Carrier (NGDLC) request for proposal issued by Sprint earlier this year. Receiving larger line size standardization is a clear victory for AFC and allows a much broader deployment of the UMC 1000 within Sprint's local exchange networks. The contract also enables Sprint North Supply to distribute the UMC 1000 to all of its customers giving AFC further penetration into emerging markets such as Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLEC), Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (ILEC), and other service providers. The supply contract furthers the relationship between AFC and Sprint by giving Sprint North Supply nonexclusive distribution rights in the United States and Canada to the UMC 1000 product line. "Today's announcement demonstrates the compatibility between the strategies of AFC and Sprint for the networks of today and the network of the future," comments Don Green, AFC's Chairman and acting CEO. "Sprint has been deploying the UMC 1000 since 1996 as a low density solution. We are pleased to transition into higher line sizes and to continue our working relationship as they move forward building their networks for the next generation of services." "AFC's commitment to continued expansion of their product line has provided an excellent solution for Sprint's networks and for all of our customers nationwide," comments Bill Obermayer, Sprint North Supply's President. "As networks are upgraded and expanded to handle the convergence of voice and data services, we are committed to providing our customers with products that are flexible and adaptable to the networks of the future. The UMC 1000 access system offers an excellent platform for that future. The system has been an ideal product for our pre-engineered, pre-configured NGDLC program." AFC's standardization as a strategic NGDLC vendor at Sprint, combined with the 2 1/2 year distribution commitment, indicates a significant evolution from small to large line size deployments of the UMC 1000 access platform in Sprint's local exchange networks. AFC is a leading manufacturer of telecommunications systems for the "local loop" between telephone service users and public telephone networks worldwide. AFC has pioneered a single platform that supports any network, any transport, and any service. AFC's flagship product, the UMC 1000(R) 3rd Generation Digital Loop Carrier,(TM) provides any service from POTS to xDSL over copper, fiber, and wireless transport media. Additional information about AFC can be found on the web at fibre.com . Sprint North Supply is a leading provider of equipment and distribution services to the communications and security industries. The company operates 11 distribution centers nationwide with inventory of more than 38,000 products from 1,300 manufacturers. Sprint North Supply annual sales exceed one billion dollars. Sprint is a global communication company at the forefront of integrating long distance, local and wireless communications services and one of the world's largest carriers of Internet traffic. Sprint built and operates the United States' only nationwide all-digital, fiber optic network and is the leader in advanced data communications services. Sprint has $15 billion in annual revenues and serves more than 16 million businesses and residential customers. Third Generation Digital Loop Carrier, 3rd Generation Digital Loop Carrier, and 3GDLC are trademarks, and Advanced Fibre Communications, AFC, the AFC logo, Universal Modular Carrier, and UMC 1000 are registered trademarks of Advanced Fibre Communications, Inc. SOURCE Advanced Fibre Communications