September, 27, 2004 Washington, DC--A group of progressive communities from across the nation today announced the establishment of a not-for-profit organization called Fiber Optic Communities of the United States (FOCUS), to educate consumers on the life-enhancing benefits of optical access networks.
"Our goal is to inform homeowners and businesses about the advantages of living and working in a fiber-optic community," said Max R. Kipfer, founder and president of FOCUS, (Washington, DC). "Fiber networks are changing the way people live. Telecommuting, distance learning, and future in-home medical applications are now a reality in these communities. Buy a new home without fiber and you are missing a tremendous quality of life amenity that will soon be the standard. FOCUS will help spread the knowledge about fiber communities."
Optical fiber running all the way to the home and business offers virtually unlimited bandwidth and speed-of-light connectivity. Optical fiber's exceptional capacity can be used not only for Internet access, but also telephone service, top-quality video and advanced services like security and home automation.
"FOCUS is being organized to inform consumers where they can go to enjoy the benefits of optical fiber," said Paul Morris, executive director of the Utah Telecommunications Open Infrastructure Agency (UTOPIA), soon to be the largest fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network in America. "By combining forces we will connect fiber communities across the country."
As of April 2004 there were 128 fiber communities in the United States, according to market research firm Render, Vanderslice and Associates of Tulsa, OK.
"Communities with fiber optic infrastructure are the way of the future," said Amanda Jensen, communications manager for Brambleton, a 6,000 home FTTP community in Loudoun County, VA. "Fiber communities are springing up all over Northern Virginia and the country. FOCUS will help us inform the public and give our buyers an added value resource. We are very excited to be a charter member of this new organization."
FOCUS will hold an official launch event from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. EST, October 25, 2004 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. The launch event will feature industry associations, community and government leaders, including Leonard Ray, vice president of the Fiber-to-the-Home Council, and Michael Render of Render, Vanderslice and Associates. Attendance may be reserved online at www.CommunitiesInFocus.org or by calling (202) 223-6287.