Graybar and Dominion Team Up To Deliver Free Space Optics Throughout Nort America

ST. LOUIS (PRWEB) May 1, 2003 -- Dominion Lasercom Inc., a global supplier of free space optical (FSO) broadband systems, and Graybar, North Americas largest distributor of electrical, telecommunications, and networking equipment, are teaming up to help multi-site companies transmit high-speed data through the air rather than through copper or fiber connections, it was announced today.

Dominion Lasercoms Digital Audio Video Infrared Data free-space laser communications system -- or DAViD" -- uses FSO technology to deliver data through an infrared laser beam at a rate of 10 megabits to 1 gigabit per second, up to 1.25 miles.

This point-to-point laser data transmission serves as a perfect last-mile alternative to high-speed broadband carried over copper or fiber, especially in enterprise campus environments, which accounts for about 65% of the market.
The equipment takes up very little space, and can be installed on rooftops, on poles, or from inside windows, and uses a rapid deployment kit that fits in a suitcase, said Dennis DeSousa, senior vice president, Comm./Data Business, for Graybar.

FSO technology is reliable, lightning fast, inexpensive to produce and deploy, simple in design, and easy to use and maintain," DeSousa said. Important for business customers is the fact it is scalable and extremely powerful in range and capacity.

This will be a big benefit for customers who need high-speed data transport back and forth from one building to the next within a one-mile radius, but would otherwise have to secure easement rights and pay for costly cable digs," he added.

The carrier-grade free space optics equipment market continues to expand in North America, where sales are projected to grow from $200 million this year to about $870 million in 2005, according to industry analyst The Strategis Group. Worldwide FSO equipment revenues are projected to reach $2 billion in 2005, up from less than $100 million in 2000.

DAViD is a cost efficient way for data and telecommunications service providers to expand their networks and reach new customers, DeSousa explained. Dominions patented fiber-coupled antenna and laser modem technology has enabled it to establish a strong leadership position in the FSO market.

Both enterprise and public network providers using DAViD can now build or extend networks in hours, rather than days or weeks, and at a fraction of the cost of any other broadband technology, said Mark Docuet, co-founder and vice president, Market Development, for Dominion Lasercom.

Graybar was our first choice as a distribution partner for the DAViD system because of its strong reputation in the marketplace as North Americas leading distributor," Docuet said. All of us at Dominion are looking forward to working closely with an organization that has a long history as a pacesetter of innovation and professionalism."

DeSousa said Dominion Lasercoms products and services will further strengthen Graybars portfolio in delivering wireless broadband solutions for telecommunications and networking customers.

Graybar has always been a forerunner in bringing to market ground-breaking products, and Dominions FSO design has clearly set a new mark in broadband delivery solutions for our customers," he said. Our sales and marketing staff are enthusiastic and excited about this wireless product and how it fulfills a market demand for both the first and the last mile."

About Dominion Lasercom Inc.
Founded in 1996, Dominion Lasercom is a pioneer in Free Space Optics (FSO) and manufactures the patented Digital Audio Video infrared Data -- or DAViD -- fiber-coupled light-speed communication system. This breakthrough technology delivers data through the air in point-to-point and point-to-multipoint configurations as a last-mile alternative or complement to copper, fiber-line, or microwave network extensions. The company is based in Bryan, Texas. For more information, please click on www.dominionlaser.com.

About Graybar
Graybar, a Fortune 500 corporation and one of the largest employee-owned companies in North America, is a leader in the distribution of high quality electrical, telecommunications and networking products, and an expert provider of related supply chain management and logistics services. Through its network of 250 North American distribution facilities, it stocks and sells products from more than 4,200 manufacturers, serving as the vital link to hundreds of thousands of customers. For more information, visit http://www.graybar.com.