Axia's Covage Awarded FTTH Pilot Project in Sem@for77 Network Segment

CALGARY, Dec. 17 /CNW/ - Axia NetMedia Corporation (Axia) today announced that its French-based company Covage, a joint venture with VINCI Networks, has been awarded the Chevry-Cossigny Fibre to the Home (FTTH) Pilot Project in Seine-et-Marne.

Earlier this year, the French government created a €2.0 billion fund to support the deployment of FTTH in semi-dense and rural areas. In August 2010, they issued an RFP for seven pilot FTTH projects and received 30 responses.

Jean-Michel Soulier, President of Axia Networks France commented, "This is an important win for Covage as we have been recognized by the French Government as a key player in FTTH deployment in France. Covage will now be part of the national FTTH working group whose task is to define and establish the guidelines for FTTH deployment in France in the coming years." He added, "From a business perspective, this is also significant as we believe that the Chevry-Cossigny Pilot Project will be attractive to the Retail Service Providers that operate in the region."

The capital for the Chevry-Cossigny Pilot Project will be government funded. Covage will be responsible for executing the business and commercial aspects of the pilot project. New fibre will be deployed in existing ducts which are mainly owned by the municipality. The Chevry-Cossigny Pilot Project will connect 1,250 residences to Covage's existing Sem@for77 network segment. The Sem@for77 network segment became fully operational in November 2008 and includes 1,200 kilometres of fibre and 49 wireless stations. 

Axia sells Real Broadband™ and passive services on Next Generation Networks that have implemented the Axia NGN Solution. To date, the Axia NGN Solution has been implemented in Alberta, France, Singapore and Spain. Axia trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "AXX".

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For further information:

please visit Axia's website at www.axia.com, or contact:

Dawn Tinling
VP, Investor Relations and Communications
Axia NetMedia Corporation
[phone]
[email protected]