CHATSWORTH, Calif. -- MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC. (Nasdaq: MRVC - News), a leading provider of products and services for out-of-band networking, optical transport, metro Ethernet, and fiber optic components today announced its Fiber Driver® product line has qualified for technical acceptance based upon the standards of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS), making it eligible to serve as the basis of network infrastructure in remote areas.

RUS oversees a multi-billion dollar budget designed to encourage the availability of telecommunication services in rural or under-served areas. This RUS endorsement means that rural independent telephone operating companies (IOCs) will qualify for a subsidization of their fiber optic transport rollouts if they deploy MRV’s Fiber Driver solution. To be technically certified, equipment must meet the USDA RD's standards for a variety of hazards including corrosion, weather, fire, earthquake and vandalism.

"This RUS designation from the US Department of Agriculture is extremely important, as it validates our Fiber Driver platform as a solution able to withstand the rugged conditions necessary for rural applications," said Noam Lotan, president and CEO of MRV Communications. "Like the rest of our carrier-class products, Fiber Driver has been tested under the harshest conditions and provides the reliability service providers need."

MRV Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: MRVC)