[November 29, 2011]

3M Enables High-Speed Broadband Access Across Australia

3M (News - Alert) was recently awarded a multi-year contract to provide retro-fit cable pathways in support of Australia's National Broadband Network (NBN). This national initiative will provide a new, wholesale-only, open access high-speed broadband network to all Australia residents. NBN estimates the contract to be worth $20 million over five years.

The Australian government established NBN Co. Limited to design, build and operate the NBN. The company recently announced contracts with six companies, including 3M Australia, to provide equipment for installation in homes and businesses.

3M's One Pass Fiber Pathway and One Pass Mini Fiber Pathway will be used to provide fiber connectivity to multi-dwelling units (MDUs) when residents and business owners order a service from their telecommunications providers.

"The One Pass Fiber Pathway and One Pass Mini Fiber Pathway from 3M are horizontal cable pathway and drop cable solutions installed simultaneously on the surfaces of hallways and living units of older buildings where cable pathways are too congested or simply don't exist. They provide a quick and easy service installation that is minimally disruptive and aesthetically appealing to consumers," said Linnea Wilkes, business development manager, 3M Communication Markets Division. "The One Pass products were selected because they can save service providers money and increase revenues while offering building owners a fast and easy way to provide their tenants upgraded services like high-speed broadband."

The One Pass Fiber Pathway hallway solution revolutionized FTTP network installation for MDUs. Its flexible, seamless design and use of 900 micron fiber inside the pathway make it smaller and more discrete than traditional products. ecause of its unique installation method, some service providers have identified up to 35 percent in installation cost savings on each floor the One Pass product is installed. To date, the One Pass Fiber Pathway has been installed by operators in more than a dozen countries.

Inside the living unit, the One Pass Mini Fiber Pathway connects to a hallway distribution cable at a point of entry location near the apartment door and is routed to a wall outlet positioned near an optical network terminal (ONT). Like the One Pass Fiber Pathway, the One Pass Mini also utilizes exclusive 3M adhesive technology which ensures reliable installation on a wide variety of surfaces, even painted or sealed concrete where stapling cables is not an option.

Both products enable quiet installation, maintain signal integrity and deliver a high-performance broadband solution in a low-profile package, making them also ideal for schools, hotels, hospitals and small businesses.

In addition to NBN Co., Australia-based Universal Communications Group recently used the One Pass Mini Fiber Pathway and One Pass Fiber Pathway to install a fiber network in Pacific Park, a 162-unit condominium community in Sydney, Australia. UCG is currently participating in the NBN RFP to provide contractor services for the installation of the NBN.

"Today, 25 to 30 percent of FiOS homes passed are in MDUs or multitenant-unit buildings," said Michael Weston, marketing operations director, Verizon (News - Alert) Enhanced Communities. "The 3M One Pass Fiber Pathway Duct, which combines a drop cable with a paintable, adhesive-backed pathway, is a good hallway solution." To date Verizon has passed over 16 million homes with FiOS (News - Alert).

In addition, a major Canadian telco who is heavily involved in fiber-to-the-home deployment is currently using the 3M One Pass Fiber Pathway to deploy a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network to support its fiber-based Internet and television services. By the end of 2012, 600,000 homes will be connected.

For more information about the One Pass Fiber Pathway or the new One Pass Mini Fiber Pathway, contact the 3M Communication Markets Division at 800-426-8688 or visit 3M.com/OnePass. For more information about fiber network deployment products from 3M, go to 3M.com/Telecom.

About 3M Communication Markets Division
For more than 50 years, products from 3M have formed the backbone of the telecommunications industry. Global customers have come to rely on 3M quality to connect and protect their infrastructure. As a network of networks, the 3M Communication Markets Division connects smart grids to smart phones, wind farms to server farms, greenfield to brownfield and wireline to wireless. Today, 3M is taking fiber further, moving mobility forward and maximizing networks - from xDSL and FTTN to the enterprise. Find out more.

3M is the innovation company that never stops inventing. More information about 3M Company is available online.

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