Press information To download a text file of this release, a 250 pixel wide low-res image for web use or a 300dpi print quality image, go to www.parkfield.co.uk/apwepd_uk ADSL broadband rollout gathers pace Released 28 May 2004 The drive by the telecoms industry to meet the Government's stated aim of enabling broadband access to every business and house in the UK is reliant on a modified version of APW Enclosure Solutions' standard IMnet GPF telecoms rack. IMnet GPF has been specified by the major players involved in supplying the ADSL equipment located in the telephone exchanges as the standard housing for the application. 1023 copper ADSL lines terminate in each cabinet, which also houses the upstream interface to the WAN fibre. Thermal management is important as each ADSL cabinet contains significant amounts of active equipment such as the ADSL hubs, DSLAM multiplexers and power converters; the load rating, strength and rigidity of the IMnet framework and the need to manage effectively both copper and fibre cables are also critical requirements. The GPF is a versatile multi-practice cabinet, enabling both ETSI and 19" equipment to co-locate in the same rack. It can also be fitted with dedicated IDC and HDC termination panels if required. The ADSL IMnet GPF is 750mm wide, 300mm deep and 2200mm high, fitted with side panels, a top trim, an overall rear panel and a 600mm wide vented steel front door. Cool air is drawn up from the floor void and through the front door into the power conversion subrack and other active equipment by a separate fan tray. Cable entry is normally through the top and cable segregation is achieved by fitting 75mm outriggers to the standard 600mm single wishbone IMnet frame to give a full height vertical cable channel on either side of the front door. The panel mountings are to ETSI practice, giving 84SU useable height in the enclosure. The unit is also fitted with M12 and M8 fixings at exactly 1172mm from the floor so that it conforms to BT Mounting Practice which requires all equipment racks installed in telephone exchanges to be secured to overhead brackets, a sensible precaution when heavy cable bundles are entering shallow 300mm enclosures. GPF is also provided with additional lashing points on the top and down the side of each cable channel. *** Ends: body copy 348 words *** Notes to Editors. For further information: Barry Maidment APW Enclosure Solutions Ashley Road Uxbridge Middlesex UB8 2SQ tel: + 44 (0)1895 469200 fax:+ 44 (0)1895 232164 barry.maidment@apw.com www.apw.com Agency contact: Nigel May Parkfield Communications Limited Parkfield House Damerham Hants SP6 3HQ tel: + 44 (0)1725 518321 fax: + 44 (0)1725 518378 nigel.may@parkfield.co.uk www.parkfield.co.uk APW is a technically enabled manufacturing services ("TEMS") company that designs and manufactures large, complex infrastructure products for OEMs in the communications, computing and Internet markets. APW has particular skills in the areas of manufacturing enclosures, thermal management, power supplies and backplanes; as well as core competencies in product and system design, integration and supply chain management. APW operates in more than 14 locations throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.