Aurora Networks’ Fiber Deep Solution Has Been Selected by Vidéotron for Their Next Generation Network Architecture

SCTE Cable-Tec Expo 2008
Booth 139

Aurora Networks announced today that its Fiber Deep products are being deployed by Vidéotron Ltd as they roll out the next generation of their network architecture, positioning it for unlimited consumer bandwidth. This network will be deployed throughout the Greater Montréal Area, passing 1.8 million homes. Vidéotron is using Aurora’s Fiber Deep solution to evolve its network to cost-effectively support the growing bandwidth demands of their customers both now and into the future.

“We were looking for an optical transport partner who could deliver a high-value, cost-effective next generation network architecture in a timely manner,” said Daniel Proulx, Senior Vice-President, Engineering, Vidéotron. “Armed with an extensive product tool box, Aurora was able to achieve our goals with a Fiber Deep architecture which provides the platform to launch tomorrow’s evolving bandwidth-hungry products. Coupled with their service and support offering, Aurora was the logical choice for this project.”

“Vidéotron is a leader in new technologies, making them a perfect partner for Aurora,” said Guy Sucharczuk, Aurora’s Chairman, President and CEO. “As a company, we are dedicated to innovating and developing new technology solutions that help the cable industry fulfill its subscribers’ needs.”

Aurora has optimized its tool box of solutions to enable MSOs to cost-effectively realize both the network capacity and operational savings associated with a Fiber Deep deployment. By eliminating RF actives from the network, operators will typically halve their power costs and quarter their operational costs while gaining a ten-fold increase in narrowcast bandwidth per home. Aurora’s optical transport product line has many unique aspects, such as patented digital return, an Essential Features Node, and the Light-Plex™ product family, which together enable key design advantages and flexibility for Fiber Deep deployments. Aurora has made Fiber Deep a viable option for MSOs who had previously been unable to take advantage of its benefits. With a Fiber Deep architecture, cable operators can leverage other next generation access tools from Aurora, including Fiber on Demand™, Node PON™ and BitCoax™, further protecting their network investment.

About Vidéotron Ltd

Vidéotron, a wholly owned subsidiary of Quebecor Media Inc., is an integrated communications company engaged in cable television, interactive multimedia development, Internet access services, cable telephony and wireless telephone service. Vidéotron is a leader in new technologies with its illico interactive television system and its broadband network, which supports high-speed cable Internet access, analog and digital cable television, and other services. As of March 31, 2008, Vidéotron was serving 1,652,200 cable television customers in Québec, including 802,800 illico Digital TV subscribers. Vidéotron is the Québec leader in high-speed Internet access, with 965,300 subscribers to its cable modem service. As of March 31, 2008, Vidéotron had activated 49,900 lines on its wireless telephone service and was providing cable telephone service to nearly 691,600 Québec households and organizations. Visit www.videotron.com.

About Aurora Networks

Aurora Networks is a global leader in advanced optical transport systems for broadband networks. The company’s innovative solutions optimize network performance and enable the deployment of advanced residential and commercial broadband services. With a reputation for cutting-edge technology and award-winning engineering, Aurora Networks is a thriving, privately-held company based in Santa Clara, California. For more information, call 408.235.7000 or visit www.aurora.com.

Aurora, Aurora Networks, the Aurora logo, Light-Plex, Fiber on Demand, Node PON and BitCoax are trademarks of Aurora Networks, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Other marks are the property of their respective owners and are used here only for identification purposes.

Contacts

Aurora Networks
John Dahlquist, 408-235-7033 (Media Inquires)
Vice President, Marketing
jdahlquist {at} aurora(.)com