November 16, 2005 Hickory, NC -- Corning Cable Systems has been granted U.S. Rural Utilities Service (RUS) acceptance for the company's OptiSheath Terminal, OptiDrop Pedestal, and Versatile Access Pedestal product families. The products, optimized for optical access networks, provide environmental protection and access to drop and distribution cable and coupler/splitter cassettes.
The company says its OptiSheath Advantage Terminals provide environmental protection and quick incremental connection of subscribers' drop cable. The unique design of the terminals allows additional subscribers to be connected without opening the terminal. Further, the company says its OptiSheath Classic Terminals offer easy access to slack storage with traditional drop cable splicing capabilities.
The company says its OptiDrop Pedestals are optimized for optical access architectures, allowing cost-effective installation with savings in labor and consumables. The Versatile Access Pedestal (VPED) is a flame, impact, and UV-resistant housing designed to provide mounting facilities and security for copper and fiber-optic cable splicing and termination in a buried plant environment.
The RUS-accepted products are part of the company's Evolant Solutions product line.
The RUS, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, offers loans and grants in order to increase the rate of deployment of technology to small towns in rural areas. Service providers can utilize RUS funding to upgrade existing networks or build new systems that carry at least 200 kbit/sec symmetrical data, as well as enhanced voice and video services. RUS acceptance allows service providers to purchase Corning Cable Systems terminals and pedestals with these funds.