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“We could not achieve the speeds with similar products in the lab or in the field, but the Actelis solution proved successful.”

FREMONT, Calif., December 19, 2007—Actelis Networks®, the leading global supplier of Carrier Ethernet over Copper™ solutions, today announced that NorthStar Access LLC, a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) owned by Sherburne Tele Systems, has deployed the company’s Carrier Ethernet over Copper solution to provide better communication and connectivity between its retail stores and corporate office, as well as superior customer service to its valued residential and business subscribers.

To improve the communications capabilities within its distributed enterprise offices, NorthStar Access has deployed Actelis’ ML600 series of Ethernet Access Devices (EADs) in various central offices and retail locations throughout Central Eastern, Minn. The carrier Ethernet LAN extension interfaces seamlessly to Ethernet LAN equipment in Sherburne’s network. Actelis’ ML600 EADs create a bridge into the NorthStar Access’ local access network, providing all the locations within the distributed enterprise with high-speed Ethernet connectivity.

“We were very careful when testing various carrier Ethernet solutions,” commented Jared Holm, manager of the IS department at NorthStar Access. “When we analyzed the Actelis product offering, we looked closely at spectrum frequency crossover, since we use both ADSL and VDSL in the same binders, so frequency crossover was a major concern.” One deployment includes a retail store in North Branch, Minn., which connects to a central office located approximately 1,500 feet away via a carrier Ethernet over copper extension. This connection enables the high-speed transfer of customer data down to the central office and is then aggregated onto its Cisco-based fiber network to Sherburne headquarters in Big Lake, Minn.

Built on Actelis’ award-winning EFMplus™ technology, the ML600 series of EADs delivers the best rate and reach performance of any carrier Ethernet over copper product in its class. To ensure carrier-class reliability for NorthStar Access and its customers, the Actelis solution bonds existing copper pairs, providing nearly 45Mbps of symmetrical DSL with Quality of Service (QoS).

“We could not achieve the speeds with similar products in the lab or in the field, but the Actelis solution proved successful,” added Holm. “With the Actelis carrier Ethernet over copper solution, the ML600 units did what the company claimed, and we’re very pleased with the performance.”

About Sherburne Tele Systems, Inc.
Sherburne Tele Systems is primarily engaged in operating Connections, Etc. and NorthStar Access, headquartered in Big Lake, Minnesota. Connections, Etc. is an incumbent telephone company serving residents in Big Lake, Becker, Zimmerman and Glendorado-Santiago. In addition, Connections, Etc. is an industry leader in technology, providing iZoom High-Speed Internet accessibility to nearly 100% of the customer base and DIGITALTV television service through the phone lines. NorthStar Access is a competitive telephone company offering local dial tone, long distance, and innovative Internet services including broadband fast Internet (DSL) called iZoom. Locations served are Cambridge, Elk River, Otsego, Princeton, Mora, and North Branch.