Stockholm // 2007-05-25

Norway's largest power company chooses PacketFront for fiber to the home (FTTH)

PacketFront, the pioneer in open-access FTTH (Fiber-To-The-Home) broadband networking, has signed a contract with Norway's largest power utility company, Hafslund, to build an open access FTTH network in Østlandet, the area in and around Oslo. Hafslund is by far the largest power utility company in Norway and this is considered one of this year's most important contracts in the Norwegian telecom sector.

"This is a prestigious order, and we are very pleased that Hafslund has chosen to work with us," says Martin Thunman, CEO of PacketFront. "The fact that Norway's largest power utility company is establishing an open access network sends a significant and very powerful signal to other network owners, and will most likely have repercussions throughout Europe. We are the market leaders in Europe today, and this contract makes our position even stronger."

Today, the strongest trend among network owners is to give end-users freedom of choice. Open access networks are built and financed by the network owners, who then grant various service providers access to the network. The network is thus open to all service providers who wish to offer services through it, and does not favor any of the competing parties. This is the situation that guarantees households and end-users the best possible services and the more competitive prices.

"We have been evaluating platforms and suppliers since last autumn, and we feel confident with PacketFront in the access network, as they are on the cutting edge in their segment," says Trond Nedregård, the director of Hafslund Telekom's fiber network division. "We have chosen the open network because our goal is to be the acknowledged leader in networks, rather than compete in the areas of television and multimedia. We believe that in the future it will be all the more important to enable the customers to tailor their media choices, and PacketFront provides us with that flexibility. We feel that this is the broadband network of the future."

In the first stage, Hafslund will offer IPTV and other broadband services to selected cooperative housing areas in Oslo. End users will be provided with a wide variety of broadband services over the same connection.

PacketFront's partner, NetNordic, will be responsible for the integration of Hafslund's FTTH network. In addition, Datametrix will be responsible for the installation of the core network.

About Hafslund
Hafslund is Norway's largest power company, as well as the second largest security company in that country. Hafslund's strategy is to simplify the everyday life of its customers with simple and reasonably-priced services in energy, security and communication. In 2006, the company had sales of NOK 21.6 billion, and profits of NOK 11.6 billion.

About NetNordic
NetNordic specializes as a supplier of systems in the areas of business communications and broadband networks, along with related consulting services, installation and operation. NetNordic has supplied triple-play solutions since 2002, with an emphasis on operator-neutral networks. NetNordic, which was founded in 2001, currently has 30 employees and sales, last year, of NOK 45.4 million. NetNordic consists of a parent company and the Greenfield AS consulting company, of which it has an 80 percent equity stake. The company is owned by its founder, Tom Solberg, as well as by employees and board members.

Related links:

Hafslund
NetNordic