Clearfield Continues to Reduce the Cost of Broadband Deployment With SmartRoute Technology

SmartRoute Panel Pays Out Exact Fiber Lengths without Pre-engineering or Site Survey

Dual SmartRoute Spool Design Integrates ISP and OSP fiber in Single 1RU Panel

MINNEAPOLIS, March 25, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clearfield, Inc. (Nasdaq:CLFD), the specialist in fiber management and connectivity platforms for communications providers, today announced SmartRoute spooling technology, an innovative fiber management design that houses connectors, cable assembly and slack storage in a single unit. The SmartRoute Panel, with dual SmartRoute spools deployed, integrates IFC and OSP cable assemblies in a single 1RU high panel.

Clearfield's SmartRoute Panel combines micro distribution cable, spooling technology and MPO connectorization in a single panel, relieving cable congestion, simplifying ordering and eliminating incorrect cable length of ISP/OSP cables assemblies. Site engineering and installation costs are greatly reduced or even eliminated due to the ability to deploy multiple fiber types at lengths of up to 200 feet. Effective in any environment where a fiber panel and cable assembly are being deployed separately, the SmartRoute Panel is ideal for use in central offices, data centers, co-location, customer premise or MDU environments requiring ISP cabling. Used with FieldShield optical cable for the OSP, the SmartRoute panel is perfect at cell sites, cell towers and other applications where fiber is exposed to the elements. Used in connection with FieldShield ruggedized microduct, the SmartRoute Panel is the perfect support to any task, no matter the elements or conditions.

"As IFC and OSP cable assemblies are typically built to order at a specified length, site surveys and pre-engineering of the environment have been a critical, yet costly step in the network deployment process," explains Johnny Hill, chief operating officer for Clearfield. "SmartRoute spool technology allows an installer to payout exactly the amount of cable needed from the panel, leaving the remaining cable safely stored within the panel."

Product Definition

Pre-terminated with your choice of SC, LC or MPO connector, each SmartRoute spool can hold up to 200 feet of 3mm 12-fiber micro-distribution or 12-fiber FieldShield cable. For higher-fiber count environments, each spool can hold up to 125 feet of 4mm 24-fiber FieldShield cable. Pre-connectorized options eliminate splice labor and speed network construction. Each SmartRoute spool can be pulled independently; one spool can be deployed in one direction while the other spool can be deployed with cable in the opposite direction, providing ultimate flexibility for the network design.

"The SmartRoute Panel is the first in a series of enclosure designs that will leverage the SmartRoute spooling technology," concluded Hill. "User-defined cable lengths with integrated slack storage for unused cable is the inherent advantage of this fiber protection method."

Additional Information and Availability

SmartRoute and all elements of the FieldShield Fiber Delivery System, including FieldShield optical cable and ruggedized microduct, are now shipping and available from Clearfield or the distributor of your choice. For more information, go to www.clearfieldconnection.com/products/panels/smartroute-panel.html.

About Clearfield, Inc.

Clearfield, Inc. (Nasdaq:CLFD) designs, manufactures and distributes fiber optic management, protection and delivery products for the communications networks of leading ILECS, CLECs, MSO/cable TV companies and mobile broadband providers. We help service providers solve the Fiber Puzzle, which is how to reduce high costs associated with deploying, managing, protecting and scaling a fiber optic network to deliver the mobile, residential and business services customers want. Based on the patented Clearview™ Cassette, our unique single-architected, modular fiber management platform is designed to lower the cost of broadband deployment and maintenance by consolidating, protecting and distributing incoming and outgoing fiber circuits and enable our customers to scale their operations as their subscriber revenues increase. Headquartered in Plymouth, MN, Clearfield deploys millions of fiber ports each year throughout North America and beyond.

CONTACT: Clearfield PR Contact
         Christy Kemp
         Calysto Communications
         Tel: + 1 404 266 2060 x539
         ckemp@calysto.com

Released March 25, 2014