Oxford Networks‚ Advanced Fiber Optic Network

Jun

2008

First Bangor-Brewer Businesses Connect to Oxford Networks’ Advanced Fiber Optic Network

Oxford Networks’ $4 million fiber optic network brings carrier class data and voice services to local business customers, connecting them to an 850-mile fiber optic network to Boston and beyond. At a news conference today that featured Maine Governor John E. Baldacci and Maine Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner John Richardson, Oxford Networks announced that the first Bangor/Brewer customers have been connected to its new Fiber to the Premise (FTTP) fiber optic network. Now in the final phases of completion, the $4 million, 42-mile fiber optic network is the first of its kind in Bangor/Brewer and brings advanced telecommunication and data services to local businesses of all sizes. The new Bangor/Brewer FTTP fiber optic network connects to Oxford Networks’ 850-mile fiber optic network that extends to Boston. In addition to the 42-mile fiber build in Bangor/Brewer, Oxford Networks announced it has deployed an additional 60 miles of FTTP network throughout Central and Southern Maine.

"Expanding and improving broadband communications in Maine is one of the cornerstones of our State's economic future," said Governor John Baldacci. "We know that Maine can attract talented people and innovative companies that can compete anywhere in the world. But their success depends upon a reliable network that connects them with customers and partners in the United States and overseas. The expansion of Oxford Networks' fiber optic network is good news for Bangor and Brewer, and it's good news for the State."

Bangor and Brewer are now two of only a few cities in the United States with a FTTP network that provides complete fiber optic connectivity from the telecommunication center to the businesses’ buildings. Oxford Networks’ FTTP services include carrier class high-speed Internet, local and long distance telephone services, VLAN (virtual local area network), and metro Ethernet services.

“Supporting efforts that assist Maine in becoming a high tech center will lay the foundation for great economic advantages for the years ahead. Bangor and Brewer are now part of an innovative, cutting-edge technology that will attract new business to the area,” stated John Richardson, Commissioner, Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.

“Today is a very exciting day for Oxford Networks and for the communities of Bangor and Brewer. This state-of-the-art fiber optic network represents a commitment and belief in the future of these two cities,” said Craig Gunderson, President of Oxford Networks. “Businesses – big and small - will now be able to experience increased bandwidth, allowing them to offer services that were not option before this technology was available.”

Gunderson also announced that Oxford Networks has recently deployed 60 miles of FTTP network in central and southern Maine that passes more than 1,400 additional businesses.

Bangor Mayor Susan Hawes, Brewer Mayor Manley DeBeck, and Brewer Economic Development Specialist Tanya Pereira also spoke at the news conference, underscoring the technology’s potential to attract national businesses and industries to the two communities. In addition, Chris Winstead, Chairman of Fusion:Bangor noted that this investment in the information highway will serve to attract young people and science and technology people to the area

Oxford Networks’ first FTTP customer is Bangor’s Challenger Learning Center of Maine, site of today’s news conference. According to the Center’s Executive Director Nathan Michaud, the improved technology will allow his organization to offer online space and science learning to students and teachers around the state; something, which would not be possible without this fiber technology.

Construction of the fiber optic network in Bangor and Brewer began in December 2007 and since then Oxford Networks has opened a central office at 60 Summer Street in Bangor with plans to open a an additional office at the same location. The company has increased its workforce in the area and overall will grow its workforce by more than 13%.

Oxford Networks, headquartered at 491 Lisbon Street in Lewiston, Maine, was founded in Oxford County, Maine, in 1900. With a 850-mile fiber-optic network between Bangor, Maine, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Oxford Networks currently provides Internet, phone, and data services to more than 13,000 customers. For more information, log on to www.oxfordnetworks.com.

PRESENTERS’ REMARKS

Mayor Susan Hawes, City of Bangor:
“High speed Internet is an essential communication tool for the 21st century allowing people to participate in the information-driven economy. Broadband technologies spur economic development, new ventures and opportunities, increase learning opportunities and connect people to resources available online. Access to broadband allows people to work at anytime from almost anywhere. High speed Internet access is a tool to help local businesses go global, or global entrepreneurial businesses who have the ability to carry out their business from anywhere, to locate locally here in Bangor, Maine.”

Mayor Manley DeBeck, City of Brewer:
“As Mayor of the City of Brewer, I am proud to be here today to celebrate Oxford Networks’ new fiber network in Bangor and Brewer. Our community depends on being linked with the rest of the world through cutting edge telecommunications infrastructure. We want to thank Oxford Networks for bringing this investment to the Cities of Brewer and Bangor.”

Tanya Pereira, Economic Development Specialist for the City of Brewer:
“Since the day Oxford Networks walked into Brewer City Hall a year ago, we have been touting the benefits of this advanced technology for economic development. By improving our opportunities to attract, retain, and expand businesses, Oxford’s investment helps us sustain a viable economic base. Not only are they a welcome addition to our business community and infrastructure, but they have already proven themselves to be great partners and corporate citizens.”

Nathan Michaud, Executive Director, Challenger Learning Center of Maine:
"Connecting the Challenger Learning Center to Oxford Networks fiber will
open up new possibilities for our science education programs, such as
offering virtual environments for space exploration online. Education is becoming less about memorizing facts and more about connecting to resources. The level of connectivity Oxford Networks is bringing to the area will help create a foundation that will support education now and into the future."

Chris Winstead, Chairman of Fusion: Bangor:
“As a networking group for young professionals, Fusion works very hard to encourage young people to come to the greater Bangor area to build their career or to start a family. Having cutting edge communication technology is key to attracting and keeping young people in Maine. We are so pleased that Oxford Networks has chosen to invest in our community and the state of Maine.”

Contact: Kristel Wagner, 755-9470
Julia Munsey, 356-0683

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