Occam Optical Gear Is USDA RUS-Approved

Broadband access vendor Occam Networks Inc. (OCNW) has received Rural Development Telecommunications Program acceptance from the USDA’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) for its GPON Optical Line Terminal (OLT) and its ON 2400 Optical Network Terminals (ONTs).

The acceptance is designed to help service providers without deep pockets get their hands on advanced networking equipment and systems, such as the optical networking products from Occam, via loans.

The RUS loan program has come under fire in past years, with some carriers complaining that it takes too long to actually receive the loans. A badly battered economy could put extra stress on the program.

The approved OCCAM gear is designed to provide high-speed optical links to consumer homes for the delivery of broadband content and communications services. The vendor’s gear is already widely deployed by many midsize and smaller telcos in the U.S.

The RD Program loans service providers in eligible rural communities the funds necessary to secure the required equipment and facilities to build broadband networks.

Occam says it has actively participated in the USDA Rural Development listing program since 2002. In 2004, Occam’s BLC 6000 series MSAP was accepted to the list of materials for Access solutions. Occam’s Gigabit Ethernet OLT blades and ON 2300 series of Gigabit Ethernet ONTs are also on the list.

“Acceptance of the BLC 6322 GPON platform and ON 2400 series ONTs to the USDA Rural Development ’List of Materials’ will help accelerate deployment of high-speed broadband services to rural communities nationwide,” said Juan Vela, director of solutions marketing and strategy for Occam, in prepared comments. “Broadband is critical to communities eager to improve their education and business environments, as well as provide a wide range of video, gaming and other entertainment options.”

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