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Press
Release
February 23, 2005 - Wave7 Optics Tapped by Brazilian Ministry of Education for
Major “Triple Play” FTTP Network Deployment
Atlanta – February 23, 2005 - Wave7 Optics Inc., the world's leading supplier of
point-to-multipoint Ethernet FTTP (fiber-to-the-premises) systems for
residential and business services, today announced that they have been selected
by the Government of Brazil for a major network project sponsored by that
country’s Ministry of Education (MEC). Working in conjunction with their partner
in Brazil, Dquest, Wave7 Optics will construct a network linking 48
municipalities in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina.
The initiative is being spearheaded by a consortium of 19 power and utility
co-ops and will eventually expand to serve approximately one million people with
connections to their homes and 1,500 public and private schools. This deployment
is part of a pilot project, announced on February 17th in Brazil by Minister of
Education, Mr. Tarso Genro, that will enable free state-of-the-art broadband
telecommunications service to the public schools in the region.
“This is undoubtedly one of the most exciting projects we’ve been involved with
to date,” said Tom Tighe, President and CEO of Wave7 Optics. “We are gratified
for the opportunity to deploy our equipment in such an important education and
economic development initiative within the country of Brazil.”
Subscribers will receive the network connection free of charge from the co-ops
and pay about $25.00 (BR $70) per month to access the triple play services. The
public schools also will receive the network interface and service free of
charge from the co-ops, with private schools receiving the service at a charge
to be determined.
As noted in the Minister’s announcement referenced above, the MEC will have a
fiduciary role and will monitor the progress of the pilot project and evaluate
the possibilities of how the technology can be applied to improve education.
Possibilities to be studied by the MEC include the ability to provide distance
learning and accredited college courses to a mass audience and continuing
education to young adults and educators.
The implementation of the project involves the National Bank of Economic and
Social Development (BNDES) of Brazil, who are financing the installation of the
consortium of the cooperatives; the Department of Science and Technology, who
are responsible for the installation of an R&D center; the Planning Department,
who will assist in the local implementation of a factory and support the further
expansion of the technology beyond the pilot; and The Pontific Catholic
University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUC), who will provide additional R&D
resources.
About Wave7 Optics
Wave7 Optics (www.wave7optics.com) has established itself as an industry leader
in optical broadband access systems with an expanding FTTP product portfolio
featuring a variety of architectural options, based on Ethernet and IP or ATM
standards, for "triple play" voice, video and data services. The company's
patented Last Mile Link system is rapidly gaining market share around the world
with service providers in the IOC, CLEC, MSO, municipal, real estate development
and utility categories.
For more information please contact
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