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APA Cables & Networks' Line of Outside Plant Cabinets Accepted by USDA Rural Development

RD Listing Expands Market Opportunity for APACN Equipment

Minneapolis, MN February 27, 2006 --- APA Cables & Networks (NASDAQ: APAT; APACN) , a leading provider of fiber connectivity systems for Fiber-to-the-x (FTTx) networks and wholly owned subsidiary of APA Enterprises, Inc. announced today that its line of Outside Plant (OSP) cabinets for FTTx networks has been accepted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD). APACN is one of a limited number of OSP cabinet suppliers in the country that have been granted this acceptance. Only those suppliers who have received this listing can be used by telecommunications service providers looking to use the "RUS" loan program for funding their broadband network deployment projects.

"APA Cables & Networks is proud to be granted this distinguished designation by the Department of Agriculture," commented Cheri Podzimek , president of APACN. "We share the USDA Rural Development's vision and commitment to provide rural communities throughout America with the benefits that broadband services bring."

Prior to being listed by the USDA RD , suppliers must provide independent certification that their product can withstand the harsh conditions of an uncontrolled environment, such as extreme variations in temperature and humidity. To satisfy the USDA RD 's standard requirements for OSP cabinets, APACN chose to complete the vigorous testing procedures for Telcordia GR-487 CORE. The GR-487 CORE certification assures APACNs' Fiber Scalability Center (FSC) meets, and in most cases exceeds the USDA RD 's standards for a variety of hazards including corrosion, weather, fire, earthquake and vandalism, all of which are factors in maintaining network integrity and reliability.

In addition to the mechanical conditions, companies must satisfy the USDA RD 's "Buy American" requirement that stipulates a minimum of 50% of the total cost of all components utilized are manufactured in the United States and eligible countries.

View the official acceptance letter from the USDA RD

Overview of APACNs' Outside Plant Cabinet: The Fiber Scalability Center (FSC)
APACNs' FSC provides a modular and scalable fiber distribution platform for any FTTx architecture. The system is designed for "grow-as-you-go" cost containment by combining minimized installation costs and easy upgradeability, allowing companies to rollout FTTx services without a large initial expense.

Utilizing field-tested designs to maximize bend radius protection, connector access, ease of cable routing and physical protection, each cabinet stores feeder and distribution splices, splitters, connectors and slack cable neatly and compactly, minimizing the risk of fiber damage. Available in a variety of configurations, all units can be either pad or pole mounted for added adaptability and offer both front and rear doors for unobstructed access to all fiber splitters and connectors.

APACN's Fiber Termination Expertise -The GR-326 Certification Advantage

The trend in today's FTTx environment is moving the fiber closer to the end user, making reliable OSP cabinets and their components a necessity. As part of its high performance OSP connectivity platform, APACNs' fiber optic termination process has been tested by Telcordia Laboratories to determine conformance to GR-326 standards. The first manufacturer of 900-micron cable assemblies to complete this certification testing, the GR-326 conformance assures optical performance stability throughout the lifetime of the terminated fiber, even in extreme OSP environments, thereby reducing maintenance and deployment challenges in the passive optical network.

About APA Cables & Networks, Inc.
APA Cables & Networks (APACN) is a leading provider of fiber connectivity systems designed to meet the unique and demanding requirements of today's independent telephone, cable television and municipal networks. The APACN product line, including fiber frames and panels, OSP cabinets and optical components, offers an innovative, modular and scalable platform designed for use in central office and OSP architectures and has successfully been deployed in some of the harshest of Fiber-to-the-x (FTTx) environments. A full-line of fiber and copper assemblies compliments the APACN solution. To learn more, please visit www.apacn.com.

Forward-looking statements contained herein are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the Company's current expectations and judgments about future developments in the Company's business. Certain important factors could have a material impact on the Company's performance, including, without limitation, delays in or increased costs of production, delays in or lower than anticipated sales of the Company's new products, the Company's ability to sell such products at a profitable price, the Company's ability to fund operations, and other factors discussed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect actual events.

Media Contact: Eric Chalgren
APACN Marketing Manager
Echalgren@apacn.com
763-519-9711

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