Allied Telesyn Access Solution Powers Minnesota ILEC's Expansion into IP Video Service Provision; Gardonville Cooperative Telephone Association Chooses End-to-End Allied Telesyn for ADSL2+ Triple Play, Including iMAP & iMG Solutions.

BOTHELL, Wash. -- Allied Telesyn, a global provider of secure Ethernet/IP access solutions, has announced that Gardonville Cooperative Telephone Association (GCTel), a member-owned telephone cooperative, has chosen Allied Telesyn, Inc. to enable ADSL2+ Triple Play services throughout western Douglas County and eastern Grant County in Minnesota.

Gardonville chose to deploy a combination of Allied Telesyn's intelligent Media Gateways (iMGs) and 7100, 9400 and 9700 integrated Multiservice Access Platforms (iMAPs). The RUS accepted iMAP is a NEBS-certified, environmentally-hardened access platform that delivers carrier-class IP voice, video and data services over ADSL2+ and FTTx.

"When Gardonville decided to look for a new access equipment supplier, we focused on platforms that were optimized for Video over ADSL2+," says Dave Wolf, GCTel's General Manager. "Though there were many suppliers that claimed to have a video optimized architecture, it became very clear early on that the Allied Telesyn iMAP was best suited to deliver IP video to our subscriber base. The fact that the iMAP provides a non-blocking architecture for all ADSL2+ subscribers ensures that we can offer new value added services as our deployment matures."

"iMAP is a perfect solution for an ILEC like Gardonville, that needs to be both efficient and quick on its feet," says Allied Telesyn Executive Vice President of Marketing and Product Development Philip Yim. "It's the ideal IP/Ethernet-based access and transport solution for ILECs, largely due to its flexibility. The chassis-design supports a broad selection of plug-and-play applications that we are always expanding. Not just ADSL2+, but FTTx, POTS, VoIP, T1/E1, SHDSL, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, you name it."

GCTel has provided service to west central Minnesota since the early 1940's, keeping up with technological advances in local and long distance service, dial-up Internet service and high-speed Internet service (DSL). Recently, the ILEC made the decision to lay the groundwork for Triple Play IP video service delivery over ADSL2+.

"Allied Telesyn demonstrated their experience and expertise in Video over ADSL2+ deployments," adds Wolf, "by offering the only access platform with connectors and cabling kits that were optimized for ADSL2+ spectral isolation. When combined with all of the security, OAM&P and IP video capabilities, the choice to go with the Allied Telesyn iMAP was an easy decision."

GCTel also chose the iMAP because it simultaneously accommodates both copper and fiber line cards, and promises a smooth future expansion/migration to POTS and FTTx deployment, both of which Gardonville is working into long-range planning.

In addition to the iMAPs, Gardonville is deploying Allied Telesyn's RG624 and RG634 intelligent media gateways (iMG). These plug-and-play ADSL/ADSL2+ gateways feature Ethernet ports and an internal bridge/router/firewall. The RG634 iMG also features POTS ports and VOIP support using SIP,MGCP or H. 323.

The end-to-end interoperability of Allied Telesyn's solution, and the networking company's rigorous testing and hands-on support were another key factor for Gardonville.

"Allied Telesyn offered an end-to-end solution, from the core to the customer," explains Wolf. "All of these pieces are required for any Video deployment, and we decided that having a single supplier that could offer, support and maintain our total IP Video network would provide operational efficiencies that could not be overlooked."

Gardonville Cooperative Telephone Association (GCTel) provides service for 4 exchanges in west central Minnesota, serving the towns of Brandon, Erdahl, Evansville, Garfield, Leaf Valley, Melby and Millerville. Its main office is located in Brandon, MN.

A cooperative telecommunication system, Gardonville was formed in the 1940's from the formation of consolidation of small farmer-owned rural line systems. Each original system was served by individual operators and tied together with overhead wires, and the first board was comprised mostly of directors from the local creamery systems. In 1973 a major upgrade changed rural party line to private line service. Since that time the ILEC has laid new cable throughout the system and added digital switching offices. It maintains a commitment to its members to stay on the leading edge of new technology advances.

For more information on iMAP, iMG and other Allied Telesyn products, call 800-424-4284 or visit http://www.alliedtelesyn.com

About Allied Telesyn, Inc.

Allied Telesyn was founded in 1987 with the goal of producing reliable, standards-based networking products. Focused on secure Ethernet/IP access solutions, Allied Telesyn offers carrier-class access-edge products including Layer 3 switches, fiber/copper Multiservice Access Platforms, and CPE. We're also a leading global manufacturer of media converters, unmanaged switches, and NICs. Our customer-driven approach has made Allied Telesyn the ideal choice for IT professionals looking for high-quality, feature-rich network solutions at a lower price.