Charles Industries Adds Fiber Flex Points and Cross-Connects to Its List of RDUP-Accepted Fiber Pedestals


ROLLING MEADOWS, IL--(Marketwire - August 3, 2010) -  Charles Industries, Ltd., a leading provider of outside plant innovations for telecommunications providers, today announced that its lines of Charles Fiber Flexibility Point (CFFP) and Charles Fiber Cross Connect (CFXC) fiber pedestals have been added to the list of accepted telecommunications materials by the Rural Development Utilities Program. RDUP acceptance of these products allows service providers to utilize low-interest loans and grants to purchase these products in their fiber deployment programs to small towns and rural areas.

CFFP offer a scalable, low cost alternative to placing centralized split point cabinets (also known as fiber distribution hubs -- FDH) in the outside plant. CFXC provide a convenient interconnect and testing point between the feeder network and the distribution field in FTTH networks. Both CFFP and CFXC are non-metallic pedestal enclosures that offer an above-grade, flood-proof alternative to metallic cabinets with greater flexibility in placement.

"RDUP listing of our CFFP and CFXC pedestals is a tremendous asset for our customers," said Minesh Patel, vice president of Charles' Outside Plant Business Unit. "Rural service providers want to provide their customers with the most reliable service possible, and are embarking on fiber initiatives to do so. CFFP and CFXC pedestals are important elements in FTTx networks, providing economical fiber distribution hub and cross-connect points that are vital in distributing broadband to rural areas.

CFFP and CFXC pedestals join Charles BDO and CFDP Fiber Distribution Pedestals and CMPH Multi-Purpose Housings as RDUP-accepted materials. A full listing of all Charles RDUP-listed materials is available at http://www.charlesindustries.com/main/telecom.html.

The Rural Development Utilities Program (formerly the Rural Utilities Service) has promoted universal service throughout America for more than 50 years and continues to provide many programs for financing rural America's telecommunications infrastructure. Rural providers that receive RDUP funds are encouraged to use RDUP equipment, and contractors use the list as a reference for reliable, field-proven technologies. The full list of RDUP accepted materials can be found on the USDA's website at www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/index.htm.

About Charles Industries, Ltd.
2010 marks Charles Industries' 42nd year as a privately held, diversified manufacturing and technology company serving telecommunications, CATV, marine and industrial markets. Founded in 1968, the company is ISO 9001:2008 and TL 9000 registered and headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, with four additional U.S.-based manufacturing centers. For further information and a list of authorized Charles distributors, please visit www.charlesindustries.com or call (847) 806-6300.

Contact Information:

For more information:
Brad Wackerlin
Charles Industries, Ltd.
(847) 258-8458
bwackerl@charlesindustries.com

Charles CFFP and CFDP Fiber Pedestals