World Wide Packets' LightningEdge attains RUS listing

April 5, 2004 Spokane, WA--World Wide Packets,a provider of Ethernet access networking technology, today announced that its LightningEdge suite has been accepted for inclusion in the USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS) list of materials. Products featured on the list are eligible to be purchased with funds from RUS grants and loans. LightningEdge was listed for both optical and copper deployments and includes options for indoor and hardened installations.

"Having World Wide Packets' LightningEdge solution on this list affirms their commitment to helping deliver the triple play to any customer - rural, MSO [multiple system operator] or carrier," said Gregory Rohde, president of e-Copernicus, the consulting advisor which assisted World Wide Packets throughout the application process.
"Because of the rigorous application and certification process prior to products being named to the List of Materials, buyers can rest assured that these products
really perform - in fact outperform - the competition."

Not only does LightningEdge enable cost-effective delivery of common services such as voice, Internet and transparent LAN, but because it provides up to 1 Gbit/sec of symmetrical bandwidth per subscriber, can be used to deliver emerging applications such as advanced voice over IP, HDTV, video on demand, video security and other advanced multicast applications that other access solutions cannot offer.

"We're extremely pleased that LightningEdge's capabilities are now more accessible to every provider, regardless of size or funding," said Dave Curry, president and chief executive of World Wide Packets. "LightningEdge offers the speed, scalability and capacity to truly deliver compelling ROI whether it's deployed in a city block, office complex or a rural community."