Occam Networks, a Santa Barbara, Calif., provider of broadband access equipment, is the fastest-growing technology company in North America, according to a ranking released today by Deloitte & Touche.

Occam sells Ethernet and IP-based equipment that lets carriers provide high-speed Internet connections and related voice, data and video applications to customers.

Occam was founded by Mark Rumer, a former systems architect for Cisco and a pioneer in VoIP technology. Occam’s customers include small telephone companies and such cooperatives as the Ben Lomand Telephone Co-Op and the Farmers Mutual Cooperative Telephone Co.

Occam tops the 2006 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 because it grew 48,948% in the last five years, with revenue increasing from $80,000 in 2001 to $39.2 million in 2005. This is the first time Occam has appeared on the ranking.

"They are a company that helps small and medium-sized telephone companies develop high-speed capabilities. The need for speed is on, so it’s not surprising that these guys are growing so fast," says Tony Kern, U.S. deputy managing principal of Deloitte’s Technology, Media and Telecommunications industry practice. "These phone companies have the identical needs of the Verizons and AT&Ts of the world," he says.

Communications and networking companies, such as Occam, represent 65 -- or 13% -- of the 500 companies on Deloitte & Touche’s list.

The communications industry segment came in third behind the software segment, with 178 companies, and biotech/pharmaceuticals, with 77 companies. However, communications companies were the fastest-growing segment on the list, with an average growth rate of 3,778% compared to 2,242% last year.

"This is a great place for the communications/networking segment to be," Kern says, pointing out that it has risen from fifth place last year. "To see it move up this year is pretty impressive. It’s ranged between 13% and 20% of the list over the last few years."

In addition to Occam, three other communications and network companies --two of which are headquartered in Canada -- made it to the top 10 of the Fast 500 ranking:

Litle & Co., a payment processing solutions vendor from Lowell, Mass., was ranked third, with revenue growth of 33,683%: $103,000 in 2001 to $34.8 million in 2005.