MAY 25, 2007 � PacketFront (search for PacketFront), provider of open-access fiber-to-the-home (search for FTTH) broadband networking, has signed a contract with Norway's largest power utility company, Hafslund, to build an open access FTTH network in �stlandet, the area in and around Oslo.
Hafslund is the largest power utility company in Norway. As such, PacketFront representatives say this is one of the year's most important contracts in the Norwegian telecom sector.
"This is a prestigious order, and we are very pleased that Hafslund has chosen to work with us," says Martin Thunman, CEO of PacketFront. "The fact that Norway's largest power utility company is establishing an open access network sends a significant and very powerful signal to other network owners and will most likely have repercussions throughout Europe. We are the market leaders in Europe today, and this contract makes our position even stronger," he contends.
Today, the strongest trend among network owners is to give end-users freedom of choice, say PacketFront representatives. Open access networks (search for open access) are built and financed by the network owners, who then grant various service providers access to the network. The network is thus open to all service providers who wish to offer services through it and does not favor any of the competing parties. This is the situation that guarantees households and end-users the best possible services and the more competitive prices.
"We have been evaluating platforms and suppliers since last autumn, and we feel confident with PacketFront in the access network, as they are on the cutting edge in their segment," contends Trond Nedregård, the director of Hafslund Telekom's fiber network division. "We have chosen the open network because our goal is to be the acknowledged leader in networks, rather than compete in the areas of television and multimedia. We believe that in the future it will be all the more important to enable the customers to tailor their media choices, and PacketFront provides us with that flexibility," he says. "We feel that this is the broadband network of the future."
In the first stage, Hafslund will offer IPTV and other broadband services to selected cooperative housing areas in Oslo. Halfslund says end users will be provided with a wide variety of broadband services over the same connection.
PacketFront's partner, NetNordic, will be responsible for the integration of Hafslund's FTTH network. In addition, Datametrix will be responsible for the installation of the core network.
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