TDPUD, Wave7 Build FTTU Network

Truckee, Calif. -- The Truckee Donner Public Utility District (TDPUD), a provider of electric and water services, today announced the selection of Wave7 Optics as the winning equipment and design bid for a new “fiber to the user” (FTTU) network to be built in the TDPUD service area. TDPUD anticipates beginning construction during the first quarter of 2004 and completing the network in eighteen months.

“TDPUD, its Board Members and customers have consistently supported our efforts to bring high quality competitive broadband services to the Truckee Community. The offering of IP video, data and voice services will not only provide our customers with a choice of service providers, but will ensure the provision of 21st century services to a growing tech-savvy community,” said Alan Harry, Director of Telecommunications Services for the TDPUD. “Everyone involved in this FTTU project sees Wave7 Optics as the key player in one of the first deployments of a full IP offering.”

“The District’s goal to provide a choice of service providers to Truckee residents continues to ‘Set Standards of Excellence’ within our community,” said TDPUD President Ron Hemig. “And offering these services via Internet Protocol will surely be an economic boon to the region.”

This new FTTU network will be among the first and largest in the U.S. to offer IP (Internet protocol) video services, including video-on-demand, interactive games and pay-per-view services. “IPTV” is an innovative way of converting the video and audio signals into packets and transmitting them over the IP network to subscribers. IPTV allows an unlimited number of channels to be offered when used with Wave7 Optics high-speed symmetrical network and creates a high-speed back channel, which opens the way for exciting interactive services in the future.

The Wave7 Last Mile Link® (LML) optical broadband system provides IPTV services on a multicast (the IP equivalent of broadcast) or unicast (e.g., a video-on-demand program sent to only one subscriber) basis to minimize resource utilization. Remote provisioning and programming capabilities ensure that a customer’s set-top box is always up-to-date with the most recent software and program guide.

Wave7 is working with Eagle Broadband (AMEX: EAG), who was selected by the TDPUD as their IP video content and services provider. The LML will deliver the IP video services as well as high-speed Internet, business services such as 10/100 Ethernet and "T-1" lines, up to four VOIP (voice over IP) telephone lines per subscriber, digital music channels, and security services (e.g., remote monitoring and alarm). The TDPUD selected the LML, which can provide these services at symmetrical speeds up to 500 Mbs, as the best fit for their needs.

“We are thrilled to have been selected by the TDPUD for this exciting new network, which is another example of how fiber-to-the-home and –business networks are growing rapidly in popularity,” said Tom Tighe, CEO of Wave7 Optics. “We look forward to working with the TDPUD over the coming months to make this happen in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible.”

Wave7 Optics Inc.