Xtendwave Awarded Dept. of Agriculture SIBR Grant
Company Continues to Gain Support of Government Agencies Looking for Rural Broadband Technology Solution; Will Carry out Field Testing of its AFBM™ Technology under USDA Award With Premier Texas Rural Carrier
Xtendwave, the technology company dedicated to changing the economics of delivering broadband signals over existing telecommunications networks today announced receipt of a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in order to carry out field testing of Xtendwave's patented Adaptive Filter Bank Modulation™ (AFBM™) technology.
The award comes as the USDA and the Commerce Department continue to seek technology solutions to the rural broadband challenge, wherein an estimated 15 million homes in the U.S. cannot receive broadband service today. Both departments have been administering the $7 billion Rural Broadband Initiative, and have been involved in the FCC’s latest National Broadband Plan. The challenge of connecting 15 million rural or unserved locations to the Internet requires that new technologies for existing copper networks be created to increase broadband service rate and reach.
Xtendwave’s solution will provide DSL modem chipsets, enabled by its patented Adaptive Filter Bank Modulation Technology™(AFBM™), to DSL equipment providers whose customers are the world’s DSL service providers. The AFBM™ enabled DSL equipment resides at the ends of existing phone lines (on Line Cards and CPE modems), providing the extended reach needed in rural locations , without additional fiber optics, trenching, or repeaters.
The Phase 1 project will carry out field testing of Xtendwave’s technology, in collaboration with Network Communications Incorporated of Longview Texas, and establish proof-of-concept that population density will no longer be a determinant of access to broadband service. Network Communications is an established provider of rural telecommunications and represents the type of service provider for whom AFBM™ becomes the most viable and cost-effective solution to offering its rural customers DSL broadband service.
In addition, Xtendwave's technology will serve directly as an economic stimulus, helping to revive the now-stagnant world of telecommunications equipment and service providers, and help breathe new life into existing networks and systems. Many new jobs will be created in sales, service, support, and research around Xtendwave's technology, in response to both rural based U.S. demand and the significant demand for such technology worldwide.
“Let us first declare that rumors of the death of copper networks for broadband are greatly exaggerated. In fact, Xtendwave is leading the renaissance of copper network technology, and we continue to receive validation from the scientific and government organizations who recognize the market and societal needs for solutions like AFBM™. We are pleased that the USDA recognized the merit in our technology and we intend to demonstrate its effectiveness and applicability,” said Mort Aaronson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Xtendwave. “This award brings us closer to the promise of broadband ubiquity by enabling a broadband signal to be transmitted to virtually every phone line in the U.S. with dial tone. In addition, with a large worldwide demand for AFBM™ solutions, we see an opportunity that will allow us to continue to add jobs and help to stimulate the US telecommunications sector.”
About Xtendwave
Xtendwave develops technology that improves broadband DSL service by increasing the speed, capacity and distance of signals traveling over existing copper phone lines. Xtendwave's technology enables service providers to far surpass the limits of their existing xDSL services, without the expense of adding new infrastructure. The company is based in Dallas, Texas and consists of former technology and business executives from Texas Instruments, MCI, KN Energy, Qwest, Cincinnati Bell, Marconi and Siemens. More Information is available at: www.xtendwave.com
About Network Communications
Network Communications, based in Longview, Texas, and with over 20 years of telecom experience, is locally owned and operated and is able to provide a higher level of service to its customers by better understanding their needs. Customers deserve a local telecom service that’s staffed by trained knowledgeable people that care and one that speaks their language. Network Communications recognizes that customers want competitively priced products but at the same time need products that can add real benefits. More information at www.networkcommunications.com
Contacts
Xtendwave
Ian Dix, 410-733-1007
idix@xtendwave.com