Occam Adds Wabash Mutual Telephone to its Growing List of Customers

Ohio IOC Moves to IP and Gigabit Ethernet to Deliver Triple Play Services

 

Santa Barbara, CA: Feb 3, 2005. Occam Networks Inc. (OTCBB: OCCM), a supplier of innovative Ethernet- and IP-based loop carrier equipment to telecommunications companies worldwide, today announced that Wabash Mutual Telephone Company, an independent operating company (IOC) in Celina, Ohio, has chosen the Occam BLC 6000 System to deliver Triple Play services, voice, high-speed data and video, in a multi-year access network upgrade project.

"IP and Ethernet are the future of converged services," said Mike Boley, general manager for Wabash Mutual. "We wanted an IP/Ethernet network because it gives us the flexibility to deliver triple play services from our access network at a pace that matches our subscribers' needs. It's simple and it works."

Wabash began researching IP and Ethernet products about a year ago, selecting the BLC 6000 over products from three other vendors. Today, the IOC is well on its way to transitioning its entire network to an all-IP network. The BLC 6000 Central Office Terminal (COT) is installed in the Company's Central Office (CO) and connected to the Company's MetaSwitch softswitch. BLC 6000s have been installed in two remote locations and are providing voice and high-speed date services to subscribers. An additional two remote locations will be brought on line shortly. Wabash plans to deliver IP video to subscribers during the year.

"IP and Ethernet offer much better value than traditional telco technologies like ATM and SONET," said Boley. "You can add a couple of Ethernet fiber rings to the network for substantially less than adding SONET rings. You don't lose any functionality with these less expensive technologies - in fact, you gain functionality and can provide better services to your subscribers. And, with the Ethernet Protection Switching in the BLC 6000 you get the same 'five nines' reliability with an Ethernet fiber ring that you would with a SONET ring."

"IOCs truly understand the economic benefits of an IP- and Ethernet-based access network," said Russ Sharer, vice president of sales and marketing for Occam. "The delivery of triple play services over DSL is one of the hottest growth areas in local telecom today, and Occam is pleased to partner with Wabash to deliver the services to their customers."

About Wabash Mutual Telephone

Founded in 1911, Wabash Mutual Telephone Company is a privately owned telephone company serving an 82-square mile area in West Central Ohio. The company is a member of ComNet, a consortium of 19 Ohio based independent telephone companies. Wabash is a full service communications company offering its predominately rural subscriber base a range of voice and data services through its approximately 1300 subscriber lines. The company is headquartered in Celina, Ohio. Additional information can be found at www.wabashtelephone.com.

About Occam Networks Inc.

Occam Networks Inc. develops and markets innovative Broadband Loop Carrier networking equipment that enables telephone companies to deliver voice, data and video services. Based on Ethernet and Internet Protocol (IP) technologies, Occam's equipment allows telecommunications service providers to profitably deliver traditional phone services, as well as advanced voice-over-IP, residential and business broadband, and digital television services through a single, all-packet access network. Occam is headquartered in Santa Barbara, Calif. Additional information can be found at www.occamnetworks.com.