SPOKANE VALLEY / KINGSTON, Wash. -- World Wide Packets, the leading provider of Ethernet Access Networking Solutions, announced today that Kitsap Public Utility District (PUD) has constructed an all-fiber geographic network using World Wide PacketsLightningEdge(R) solution interoperating with Cisco equipment in the core. Located approximately 30 minutes west of Seattle, Kitsap's network spans four cities and five unincorporated towns, providing up to 1 Gb/s bandwidth and opening new opportunities for residents and businesses.

   "The county was in a bind before we built out our fiber infrastructure," said David Jones, Business Manager of Kitsap PUD. "Despite being a major suburb of a high-tech hub, we had spotty access to broadband and onerous phone charges. Just one call across the street could have been long distance due to three phone companies having four service area boundaries. Our network has leveled the playing field. Now almost every resident has broadband and our presence has encouraged an impressive display of coordination and cooperation among the incumbent providers."

   Kitsap's network serves a population of 260,000 people and many businesses, institutions and government agencies have seized the advantages of true broadband. Olympic College offers distance learning over the network to students in remote locations throughout the county as well as in neighboring counties. Using the network, The City of Poulsbo has connected the Police, Public Works, Parks & Recreation and City Hall.

   "The city went through a process study two years ago that found many inefficiencies in our processes and systems," said Fay Schultz, IS Specialist for the City of Poulsbo. "One example is the financial system, which is scheduled for replacement in the near future. The ability for staff throughout the city to do time and attendance from their workstations, work on payables, and have all of the information instantly available will provide better service to the citizens of Poulsbo."

World Wide Packets Inc.