Douglas Electric Relies on World Wide Packets; Independent Electricity Co-Operative Offers Advanced IP Services Over Fiber

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 4, 2004--World Wide Packets, the leading provider of Ethernet Access networking solutions, announced today that its LightningEdge(TM) Ethernet Access solution has been deployed by Douglas Electric, a non-profit electricity coop in Douglas County, Oregon. Douglas Electric offers business-class IP services to almost 20 towns and municipalities through its Douglas FastNet (DFN), which delivers bandwidth in excess of one GB to the subscriber.

At a time when municipalities are looking to FTTP networks to drive local economies forward, the communities that depend on Douglas Electric have already witnessed tangible results. Economic development zones have sprung up where network access was available while customers have rapidly embraced the next-generation services which underscore the necessity of an Active Ethernet-based FTTP network.

“Only World Wide Packets' solution gives us the guaranteed and explicit QoS and carrier-class resiliency our business customers demand”

"Only World Wide Packets' solution gives us the guaranteed and explicit QoS and carrier-class resiliency our business customers demand," said Jared Pickrell, chief technology officer of DFN. "Doctors in our region already rely on teleradiology applications - such as MRIs over IP - that require substantial bandwidth and the tight security inherent in Layer 2 Ethernet. This network ultimately improves quality of life for patients and residents in our service area."

Douglas FastNet features Transparent LAN Services which significantly outperform T1 connections on cost and service levels. This region was historically underserved by larger carriers, but DFN's presence lured competitive carriers into the area and lowered prices on competing services.

"Douglas Electric demonstrates that FTTP is the right answer for communities on a number of important levels," said Dave Curry, president and CEO of World Wide Packets, based in Spokane Valley, WA. "A network designed to meet the needs of business customers will ultimately attract new businesses into that area. Rather than stifle competition, the network has drawn new carriers and provided a greater variety of telecommunications possibilities at lower costs to customers."

Visit World Wide Packets in booth 905 at the Fiber to the Home Conference in Orlando, FL, October 4-6, 2004.

About World Wide Packets

World Wide Packets LightningEdge(R) Ethernet service delivery access network solution, enables delivery of simultaneous telephony, business and entertainment video, broadband data, and Internet access services, to any combination of business and residential subscribers, using Ethernet over fiber and copper medium. By bringing together the limitless bandwidth capabilities of a fiber infrastructure with the affordability and proven performance of Ethernet, these networks eliminate the constant bandwidth challenges now facing network operators. World Wide Packets is a privately held corporation, and a recognized pioneer of Ethernet geographic network solutions. For more information on World Wide Packets, please visit www.worldwidepackets.com.

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