Cisco Scores Two

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO), the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, today announced that Axia SuperNet Ltd. recommended, and the Government of Alberta has selected, the Cisco ONS 15454 SONET Multiservice Platform to deliver high-speed voice, video, and data capabilities over the Alberta SuperNet. The Alberta SuperNet is a unique Government of Alberta initiative to connect every school, hospital, library, and provincial government office in Alberta to a high-speed, broadband network. As part of this multiservice solution, Cisco will provide scalable, reliable data connectivity through high-bandwidth Gigabit Ethernet interfaces for the ONS 15454. Demand for Ethernet connectivity continues to be fueled by its ubiquity among businesses, low cost deployment and maintenance, and extensive scalability. Additionally, Gigabit Ethernet connectivity deployed over a fiber optic network with the ONS 15454 utilizes the inherent protection mechanisms of a synchronous optical network (SONET) architecture for carrier class reliability – defined by restoration in 50 milliseconds or less. By designing the SuperNet with Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, the Government of Alberta cost-effectively enables high-bandwidth data services to boost productivity. In a separate release: EAST WENATCHEE, Wash. -- Northwest Open Access Network (NoaNet), a regional not-for-profit, open access transport provider, today announced it has selected optical networking equipment from Cisco Systems, Inc. to bring high-speed telecommunications facilities to utility companies in the Pacific Northwest delivering affordable, advanced communications services to underserved rural markets. With fiber optic cables licensed from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and other sources, NoaNet employs solutions from the Cisco Complete Optical Multiservice Edge and Transport (COMET) optical product portfolio to expand capabilities, capacity, and services. Utilizing dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) technology with the Cisco ONS 15808 Long-Haul/Extended Long-Haul DWDM System, NoaNet is able to maximize a limited quantity of fiber strands. The long-haul capabilities of the ONS 15808 also allow NoaNet to cost-effectively meet the distance requirements of its network. Additionally, with an ONS 15808 network NoaNet will be able to minimize collocation sites, providing more efficient use of fiber and reducing the overall physical network footprint. “NoaNet has the vision and commitment to bring advanced and affordable networking technologies to the communities and rural areas of the Pacific Northwest, and a cost-effective solution is critical for meeting our goals,” said Rob Kopp, Chief Technology Officer, NoaNet. “The flexibility and scalability provided by Cisco COMET solutions such as the ONS 15808 have allowed NoaNet to design an optical infrastructure that maximizes our fiber plant resources while conserving both operational and capital expenditures.”Cisco Systems Inc.