Micronesia Telecommunications Selects Occam Networks’ MSAP Solution for Wireline Broadband Service
Occam Networks’ MSAP Solution Provides First Wireline Broadband Service in the Federated States of Micronesia
FSM Telecom Selects Occam for Its Major High Speed Network Upgrade
SANTA BARBARA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Occam Networks®, Inc. (Nasdaq: OCNW – News), a leading broadband access supplier offering multiservice access platform (MSAP) solutions based on pure packet technologies, announced today that the Federated States of Micronesia Telecommunications Corporation (FSMTC) has selected Occam’s solutions for its major high speed network upgrade enabling wireline broadband service to the main centers of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).
“FSMTC conducted a comprehensive survey of the leading access equipment suppliers especially those with deployments within its island neighbor operators and requested a field trial evaluation with Occam Networks. We conducted a three month trial and were satisfied that Occam is best suited to meet our requirements based on product features, level of support and ease of deployment,” said John Sohl, FSMTC’s Vice President and COO.
Prior to the deployment of Occam’s BLC 6000 MSAP solution, FSMTC offered Internet services through T1 access, dial-up and WiFi. “It did not make sense for us to deliver wireline broadband Internet such as DSL because our only connection to the Internet had been via satellite. Our total Internet bandwidth therefore had been constrained by extremely expensive satellite bandwidth and its inherent latency” said Fredy Perman, Manager Marketing and Customer Service. The timing of the partnership with Occam coincides with installation of a submarine fiber cable between Guam and Pohnpei. This presents opportunities for faster Internet speeds to be delivered.
While Pohnpei is the first island in the federation to be connected to the submarine fiber cable, a combination of smart solutions and Occam’s MSAP equipment will be deployed in all states. Banks, hotels, businesses and residents will soon enjoy DSL-level access across the country. Occam’s solution helps keep network operation and maintenance simple, by providing Layer 2 transport versus more expensive Layer 3 network switches. FSMTC will offer DSL to business and residential areas, and VDSL2 to larger businesses. Future plans call for Gigabit Ethernet FTTP in select deployments.
“We are excited to be able to offer these services to our customers in FSM and to act as agents of an efficient economy. It is no secret that FSM wants to host international organizations that would like to operate here. Some are here already by necessity and some by choice. We hope that with our improved communication services the choices by these organizations to be based here are ever more justified,” said Perman.
The biggest resource the FSM has is its tuna fisheries. The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) (loosely known as the Tuna Commission) headquarters is located in Pohnpei. “Along with fisheries authorities in FSM who lobbied hard to host the Commission, we are pleased that FSMTC is keeping its promise to bring quality high speed broadband access to these islands. Managing tuna fisheries is a data intensive exercise and FSMTC’s network upgrade will provide the quality and reliability we need,” said Andrew Wright, Executive Director of the Commission.
“High quality broadband access is a critical feature for businesses and non-profit organizations alike when selecting headquarters locations. It’s incumbent on service providers to build out networks that can handle the bandwidth these organizations require,” said Juan Vela, Director, Solutions Marketing and Strategy for Occam Networks. “As service providers upgrade their networks, simplicity of operation and maintenance ensures a rapid ROI on capital investments while keeping operational expenses manageable.”
About FSM Telecom
FSM Telecommunications Corporation (FSMTC) is a public corporation established under Title 21 of the Code of the Federated States of Micronesia, governed under the laws of the FSM. FSMTC offers local, long distance, mobile phone service, enterprise T1 services, WiFi and Dial-Up Internet, and TV. For more information, please visit www.telecom.fm.
About Occam Networks, Inc.
Occam Networks’ broadband access solutions empower service providers to offer profitable new voice, data and video services over copper and fiber. Occam systems deliver flexibility and scalability in a Triple Play world. Over 3 million BLC 6000 ports are currently deployed at over 350 service providers worldwide. For more information, please visit www.occamnetworks.com.
