Acantho Delivers Multi-Megabit Broadband Connections Directly to Customers using Cisco's Ethernet in the First Mile.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CeBIT 2002

HANNOVER, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 14, 2002

Cisco Systems (Nasdaq:CSCO), the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, today announced that Acantho, a private Italian service provider, has selected Ethernet in the First Mile (EFM) technology from Cisco to roll out its next-generation broadband network. Acantho is deploying 100Mbps and 10Mbps broadband connectivity and services directly to business and residential customers using Ethernet and optical fiber. This extra `headroom' in the broadband connection makes the deployment of rich content and services much simpler.

Owned by a consortium of utility companies in the Emilia-Romagna region, Acantho is forging a new model, which does not rely on existing legacy copper infrastructure in the last mile. The service provider uses the existing `rights of way' owned by the utility company consortium to lay fiber-optic cable from its network edge direct to customers' buildings. The network infrastructure provides end-to-end Ethernet right up to the socket in the customer's apartment or office block using Cisco's Catalyst(R) 4000 and 6500 switches in the metro network, together with 2600 and 1700 routers at or near the customers' premises.

"We've built a model that allows us to provide high-speed connectivity into businesses and multi-dwelling units without being slowed down by competitive issues, as we are not using Incumbent-owned infrastructure," commented Ian Limbach, technical program officer at Acantho. "What's more, basing our service on Ethernet is making the whole process very simple as we roll out new services."

With the entire network built around Ethernet and Internet Protocol (IP), Acantho is working with standards-based, and well-understood technologies. "The EFM model is attractive for the network simplicity and scalability that it offers. By using Ethernet throughout our network, we offer our customers the benefit of LAN-like services and quality beyond the confines of their office or home network," remarked Gaetano Morena, CTO of Acantho. Being IP-based, the next-generation broadband connections form a standard platform for new services such as Voice over IP, video communications, ASP services, and commercial television.

"Acantho is a successful early adopter of a new business model that is rapidly expanding all over Europe," commented Guido Romagnoli, EFM business solution manager at Cisco EMEA. "Its partnership with the local municipality and utilities is providing Acantho with the `rights of way' needed to directly reach business and residential customers in one of the most affluent and densely-populated areas of Italy."

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