Redback Networks has launched a new initiative aimed at rural telephone companies interested in upgrading their broadband networks. The move comes after the company's subscriber management platform received the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service listing, becoming the first to do so, according to Redback.

The equipment vendor also announced that Golden Belt Telephone Association of Kansas will deploy Redback's SmartEdge® Service Gateway platform to deliver broadcast video services over its network.

Redback is leveraging expertise it acquired working with rural telcos in other parts of the world to assist those companies in North America, said Marco Wanders, the company's chief marketing officer. One primary focus of the initiative is to help rural telephone companies add advanced services to what they can offer.

"The smaller and the rural carriers are starting to deploy new services because Internet access alone had limited revenue and opportunities for them," said Wanders. "Expanding their service portfolio gives them a chance to get new customers on the network and also a chance to get more out of each customer. It makes the business more interesting."

For example, Golden Belt will be delivering a triple-play service--voice, data and video--over its network, using systems integration help from Millennium Networks.

The RUS approval enables the Redback systems to be included in projects funded through RUS to bring broadband capabilities to rural areas. That is an increasing focus, said Wanders, as governments around the globe push for more universal broadband access.

"We are going to a more integrated initiative," he said. "Redback broadband for rural America includes more than just selling them our products. We want to make sure we participate in regional organizations. We also are offering a program where we can share our expertise to help them design networks, and identify new services--the things we have been doing with big carriers. We believe we can help them come to a more complete offering."

The rural and independent service providers have become more important to equipment vendors in recent years as they have been more willing to move quickly and deploy advanced network gear and services.