SureWest Communications Selects Occam Networks and General Bandwidth for Rollout of Triple Play Services; General Bandwidth and Occam Networks Partner to Enable Carriers to Deliver Triple Play Services to Large Multi-Tenant Buildings

Business Wire, Sept 12, 2005

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. & AUSTIN, Texas -- Occam Networks(R) Inc. (OTCBB: OCCM), a supplier of innovative Ethernet- and IP-based loop carrier equipment to telecommunications companies worldwide, and General Bandwidth(R), a leading Voice over IP equipment manufacturer enabling rapid deployment and new service revenue generation over broadband networks, today announced SureWest Communications, a leading independent telecommunications holding company, has selected a joint solution consisting of the General Bandwidth G6(R) Universal Media Gateway and the Occam BLC 6000(TM) System to deliver triple play services to customers residing in large multi-tenant buildings in the Sacramento, Calif. area.

According to market research firm In-Stat, Multiple Tenant Unit (MTU) in-building broadband equipment revenues are projected to grow to nearly $1.5 billion in 2009. Seeking to address their MTU customer needs for triple play services, SureWest Communications has selected Occam Networks' Occam BLC 6000 to deliver traditional telephony, high-speed data and video services and the General Bandwidth G6 Universal Media Gateway to enable Voice over IP (VoIP) services to customers being served by the Occam 6000 platform. This solution includes the ability to deliver lifeline POTS services through the Occam BLC in MTU buildings where a competitive carrier wants to line power telephones.

With General Bandwidth's G6 capabilities to simultaneously support VoIP over multiple broadband technologies from both legacy Class 5 switches and next generation IMS-based solutions, service providers like SureWest can manage all their voice services from a single solution which simplifies their overall network and reduces capital and operational expenses, while allowing it to use a variety of products from multiple vendors in its network. SureWest expects to begin offering the new services in the fourth quarter of 2005.

"We are excited about the joint General Bandwidth and Occam Networks solution because it enables us to expand more easily into markets like MTU with a broad array of new services," said Bill DeMuth, vice president and chief technology officer of SureWest. "It is also very important that SureWest creates a network of interoperable, best-of-breed platforms from different manufacturers. When companies like Occam Networks and General Bandwidth partner, it serves to ease our network integration burden and allows us to focus instead on serving our customers."

The Occam BLC 6000 integrates the functions of a VoIP Media Gateway, DSLAM, Optical Multiplexer, and Ethernet Switch into a hardened access system that simplifies the overall network by consolidating multiple functions into a single network element. Its core service delivery model is based on the simplest, most common, and most cost-effective technologies available today -- IP and Ethernet. Occam's BLC 6000 provides greater network performance and scalability, lower costs, and efficient delivery of all services when compared to legacy SONET and ATM technologies.

"Enabling carriers to deliver a broad array of services to MTU buildings provides them with another avenue for the delivery of IP TV and other Triple Play services," said Russ Sharer, vice president of sales and marketing for Occam. "With General Bandwidth, we can help SureWest create simple, cost-effective access networks that meet their needs today and well into the future -- a network that can have an impact on their bottom line and help them to remain successful."

General Bandwidth's award-winning G6(R) Universal Media Gateway is the industry's first universal media gateway serving the ILEC/PTT, CLEC, and MSO networks, while providing simultaneous support for all access, reverse and trunking media gateway applications on a single G6 chassis. The product delivers seamless, risk-free migration to next generation services to address evolving broadband and voice service needs.

"Interoperating with platforms from a variety of manufacturers is key to our continued growth and expansion," said Charles Vogt, president and CEO of General Bandwidth. "Occam Networks is the leading supplier of IP-based loop carriers for delivering VoIP and Triple Play services. By partnering with Occam Networks, we can provide existing customers, such as SureWest, as well as new customers the ability to deploy innovative, revenue-generating services."

About General Bandwidth

General Bandwidth is a leading provider of Voice over IP infrastructure solutions spanning more than 60 service providers worldwide. General Bandwidth delivers broadband solutions addressing a full range of applications, including residential and business access, trunking and enhanced VoIP solutions. With 11 patents issued and 17 pending, General Bandwidth's flagship G6 Universal Media Gateway and network management system are OSMINE, RUS, PacketCable(TM), and NEBS-3 certified, produced in a TL9000 quality system, and deployed in ILECs, RLECs, CLECs, and MSO networks worldwide. General Bandwidth was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas. Additional information on General Bandwidth is available at www.genband.com.