FEBRUARY 27, 2007 -- ECI Telecom Ltd. (search for ECI Telecom), today announced that Jaguar Communications, a CLEC targeting rural communities in the Midwest, has selected ECI's optical platform as part of its latest network expansion into new rural areas. For the first time, many of the residents in several southeastern counties of Minnesota will have access to triple-play services, including voice, high-speed data, and advanced broadband video all from one provider.
Jaguar Communications deployed ECI's XDM Multi-Service optical platform for the backbone expansion of its fiber-to-the-premises (search for FTTP) network. Jaguar says it selected ECI for its flexible and cost-effective optical transport technology, which enables several network layers on a single platform, including WDM, Ethernet, and SONET for the reliable delivery of next-generation, high-bandwidth services.
Jaguar's rural FTTP deployment is funded by the USDA's Rural Utilities Service (RUS), which provides assistance to service providers in building networks in rural locations. Implementing ECI's optical equipment, which is included in the RUS List of Acceptable Products, enables Jaguar Communications to increase its network capacity to provide broadband services in new areas that previously lacked even basic high-speed connections, say ECI representatives.
"Our goal is to give rural residents and small communities access to the same services that are available in larger towns and cities," explains Donny Smith, CEO of Jaguar Communications. "ECI's optical platform allows us to cost-effectively expand our backbone to bring advanced broadband services to more customers living in these rural areas who have been largely ignored by incumbent carriers."
The XDM also features a 'build-as-you-grow' architecture that provides for the ability to scale in-service from the current SONET and Ethernet infrastructure to multi-wavelength ROADM capacity. This enables Jaguar Communications to utilize SONET capabilities on the same platform and, as the network grows and more bandwidth is needed, to expand to an advanced multi-degree ROADM network.
"We are delighted to be part of Jaguar Communications' broadband network expansion and deliver a cost-effective solution to assist with the delivery of broadband services to this region," contends Dave Robison, general manager, Americas & CALA, ECI Telecom. "This new contract demonstrates the versatility of our optical solutions to meet the challenges of any type of network expansion."
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