November 23, 2005 Mclean, VA and Herndon, VA -- RCN , a provider of "triple play" broadband services, and First Avenue Networks, a fixed wireless broadband services provider, have entered into an agreement to form a strategic partnership to capitalize on opportunities in the metropolitan wireless fiber extension market.
According to a press release, subject to completion of a successful trial and the execution of definitive agreements, First Avenue will equip RCN Business Solutions, the wholly owned but separately managed division of RCN Corp. that provides bulk video, high-capacity broadband, and voice services to business customers, with wireless extensions to its fiber network at bandwidths up to 155 Mbit/sec. In return, RCN will provide First Avenue with the fiber links necessary to deliver carrier-grade backhaul service to its fixed line and mobile carrier customers.
RCN says that First Avenue's wireless extensions will enable RCN to expand its facilities-based fiber-optic broadband and hosting services to more of its large business customers. RCN says that wireless broadband access will also provide physically diverse connectivity in the markets it serves.
"RCN Business Solutions has unparalleled fiber-optic density, metropolitan business access, and advanced network technology, with an enhanced product line delivered over a fast and powerful platform suited for telecommunications carriers and enterprise broadband applications. As such, we are enthusiastic about cost-effectively expanding our footprint with First Avenue Networks' fiber extension solution to grow our subscriber base," remarks Timothy Dunne, executive vice president and CTO of RCN.
"First Avenue's focus is on helping carriers easily and economically expand constrained networks and reach unserved areas," adds Michael Gallagher, president and CEO of First Avenue Networks. "Our partnership with RCN shows the breadth of opportunity our spectrum offers carriers of all types."
RCN, one of the largest competitive multi-service operators (MSOs) in the U.S., and First Avenue are initiating the business relationship with a trial, which is currently underway in the New York City metropolitan market. The companies say they will likely expand the relationship into RCN's other markets including Philadelphia/Lehigh Valley, Washington, DC, Boston, and Chicago.