Actelis Networks MetaLIGHT 1500 and MetaLIGHT 100 Awarded Rural Utilities Service (RUS) Acceptance By U.S. Government
Rural Service Providers Can Now Leverage Government Funds to Expand Broadband Services to Small and Medium Enterprises
FREMONT, Calif., August 6, 2003 - Actelis Networks®, a leading supplier of solutions that enable profitable, carrier-grade, broadband services over local loop copper, announced today that its MetaLIGHT® 1500 and MetaLIGHT 100 have received "Technical Acceptance" and "Buy American" status from the Rural Utilities Service ("RUS") branch of the United States Department of Agriculture. Actelis' MetaLIGHT systems have been accepted under the RUS List of Materials under the "Access Equipment" category. Inclusion on the RUS List of Materials allows carriers and service providers to purchase and deploy MetaLIGHT systems with funds obtained through the RUS Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program.
Products accepted by RUS must demonstrate compliance to federal regulatory requirements as well as industry standards. Carriers and Service Providers may use RUS loan funds to purchase equipment appearing on this list to deploy broadband networks to serve the needs of Rural America.
"RUS acceptance is a key milestone for Actelis as we continue to enhance broadband capabilities for rural service providers," said Bruce Hammergren, vice president of North American sales, Actelis Networks. "The ability to leverage the existing copper infrastructure to offer broadband services is key for many rural service providers. Not only do the MetaLIGHT systems provide the opportunity for rural service providers to gain new revenue streams by offering new broadband services, but now also the ability to apply for low-interest RUS loans."
Based on Actelis' patented MetaLOOP™ technology, MetaLIGHT systems provide high-speed, fiber-quality, broadband services over the existing copper plant. MetaLIGHT systems are designed to complement a service provider's fiber network by allowing them to offer fiber quality broadband services to business customers who only have access to copper. This allows service providers to offer their customers high-quality, high bandwidth services for applications such as voice and video of IP, distance learning and telemedicine.