Stockholm // 2002-10-14

PacketFront's Intelligent Broadband Solution chosen for Sweden's largest "Wired City"

World’s first formally announced Operator Independent Network to deliver "True Broadband" services to neighbourhood of 30,000 people

PacketFront, the next generation broadband infrastructure provider, has been selected by ViaEuropa, Sweden’s leading communications operator, to provide an Operator Independent Network solution delivering broadband services to over 10,000 households in Hammarby Sjöstad, Stockholm – Sweden’s largest broadband ‘wired city’. In the world’s first formally announced Operator Independent Network, PacketFront’s Intelligent Broadband Solution will allow the residents of Hammarby to receive video, TV, IP telephony and Internet services from competing service providers whilst remaining connected to a single physical network. Completed, the deal is worth in excess of 5 million Euros to PacketFront.

Hammarby Sjöstad, Stockholm, is Sweden’s largest city construction project to date. When fully completed, no later than 2010, over 30,000 people will live and work in the area. The Hammarby project is also the first broadband network in Europe built to be ‘Access Directive’ compliant. Proposed by the EU, and due to be implemented in July 2003, this set of general conditions sets out the requirements that operators will need to meet in order to provide electronic communications networks and services under the new EU regulatory framework.

ViaEuropa is acting as communication operator for the broadband network in Hammarby Sjöstad. It is responsible for securing a future-proof network and a full selection of attractive services. The initial service roll-out will offer local businesses and consumers Internet, IP telephony and TV services over the broadband network. Future applications will include online gaming, software services and storage on demand. The network will also offer extensive videoconferencing capabilities.

The Hammarby project is the first of its kind to fulfill PacketFront’s vision of a ‘True Broadband Network’. As well as far exceeding the capabilities of current so-called ‘broadband’ networks, Hammarby’s residents will have the ability to choose from at least two competing TV providers, three IP telephony streams and three ISPs. Connected service providers currently include Tiscali Italy, Telenordia IP-Only, Digisip, Magasin 1 and Hogia and TeleNor.

"Providing end users access to competing services via a single Operator Independent Network is the only business model capable of driving the uptake of True Broadband services across Europe", said Martin Thunman, CEO, PacketFront. "The risks for infrastructure providers and service operators are greatly reduced as each can concentrate on its core business and not have to be 'jacks of all trades'. At the same time, end users receive the choice they have always craved."

"ViaEuropa is delighted to be working with PacketFront as no other vendor on the market offers a solution that meets our unique demands," said Fredrik Swartz, COO of ViaEuropa Networks. "We chose PacketFront for three reasons. Firstly, its equipment is purpose-built for installation in all types of property and the available fibre interface greatly reduces the capital cost for our network. Secondly, PacketFront’s BECS solution enables single-point, central control of the network. This – in combination with our own system – results in a considerable operational cost advantage. Finally, and most importantly, PacketFront’s equipment supports the handling of multiple operators per customer. This, in conjunction with a host of other IP based features, greatly increases the potential service revenues per customer."

"PacketFront’s Intelligent Broadband Solution gives ViaEuropa the ability to seamlessly partition the network infrastructure while centrally managing the billing and distribution of services from multiple operators", continued Thunman. "ViaEuropa is one of the first European communications providers to embrace this business model and realise that it is essential for business and consumers to be able to choose between competitive broadband services whilst remaining connected to a single physical network."