Clearfield Answers Industry's Need for Superior Access in Tie-Panel Application

CraftSmart Fiber Access Panel Sets New Standards for Access at an Attractive Price Point

MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 29, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clearfield, Inc. (Nasdaq:CLFD), the specialist in fiber management and connectivity platforms for communications providers, today announced the CraftSmart Fiber Access Panel (FAP), a 1-RU tie-panel design that ensures fiber is appropriately consolidated, protected and distributed while delivering front and rear adapter access with a convenient pull-out drawer format.

Targeted for emerging fiber connectivity deployments

As fiber continues to reach further into the network, craft people who have more commonly worked with copper are now tasked with the requirement of installing fiber. The CraftSmart FAP is designed as a craft-friendly tie-panel providing superior access and integrated slack storage. Designed with customer input, the CraftSmart FAP is currently shipping and is already deployed into existing and new active electronics cabinets, customer premise and business-class networks, and as the demark point for cell backhaul installations.

"Communications service providers have been using tie panels for years, but in listening to their concerns, we've learned that many are frustrated with the down-and-dirty philosophy of commodity equipment vendors," comments Johnny Hill, Clearfield's chief operating officer. "Our entire CraftSmart product line is targeted at ensuring that service providers have the right enclosures for their needs – instead of having to use legacy products for emerging applications."

"We looked at dozens of standard tie panels in the market, but were disappointed with their lack of attention to access," Joe Samsel, director, Facility Engineering for Zayo Bandwidth explains. "Clearfield hit the mark for the access and price point we were looking for."

More about the CraftSmart Front Access Panel

The CraftSmart FAP is a 1RU panel supporting up to 24 ports of connectivity. The "all-front" access design features a slide out drawer providing uninhibited access for installation and maintenance of feeder and distribution patch cords or multi-fiber IFC or OSP assemblies. Integrated slack storage provides the proper route paths and protection for your fiber assets in tie panel or patch & splice applications.  

FiberDeep fiber connectivity completes the package

Clearfield offers service providers the opportunity to extend the usability of their CraftSmart enclosures with the FiberDeep class of fiber patch cords. Guaranteeing performance at .2dB insertion loss — fully half that of the industry standard, broadband service providers can gain headroom in their optical budget for unplanned events, cut fibers, re-splices and extensions. Going beyond improving the performance and lowering the cost of network deployment and maintenance, the end-face geometries necessary to achieve this kind of performance improves its long-term reliability. "Every assembly in this class is guaranteed at these performance levels – taking the guess-work out of fiber deployment and giving our customers the ultimate piece of mind," concludes Hill.

Shipping and Availability

The CraftSmart Front Access Panel is available from Clearfield and its network of distribution partners. For additional information on these product offerings, please visit www.ClearfieldConnection.com or for a video demonstration of the product, go to www.FiberPuzzle.com

About Clearfield, Inc.

Clearfield, Inc. (Nasdaq:CLFD) designs, manufactures and distributes fiber optic management 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.

CONTACT: Danielle Matthews, Calysto Communications
         dmatthews@calysto.com or 404.266.2060 x27

Released February 29, 2012