April 17, 2006 Hickory, NC -- Corning Cable Systems has been granted U.S. Rural Utilities Service (RUS) acceptance for its SST-Drop series of "dielectric, toneable and armored" cables. The company says the cable family is primarily intended for operation in the last portion of all-optical, FTTH-type networks, bridging the space between a distribution network and a subscribers premises'.

In addition to the SST-Drop cable family, the RUS also approved Corning Cable Systems' OptiSheath Classic and Advantage terminals and OptiDrop pedestals. The company's SOLO and ALTOS cables are also now included in the list of accepted products. The RUS-accepted products are part of Corning Cable Systems' Evolant Solutions platform.

The RUS, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, offers loans and grants in order to increase the rate of deployment of technology to small towns in rural areas. Products listed in the RUS' "List of Materials Acceptable for Use on Telecommunications Systems of RUS Borrowers" can be found at http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/index.htm.