[1st-mile-nm] WNMC upgrades rural broadband infrastructure and services
Richard Lowenberg
rl at 1st-mile.com
Mon Dec 5 08:10:26 PST 2011
Aviat Networks Helps WNM Communications Bring Faster, More Reliable
Broadband and Phone Service to Rural New Mexico
http://www.sacbee.com/2011/12/05/4100578/aviat-networks-helps-wnm-communications.html
Published Monday, Dec. 05, 2011
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 5, 2011 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Aviat Networks,
Inc. (NASDAQ: AVNW), a leading expert in wireless transmission
solutions, today announced that it helped WNM Communications (WNMC)
provide its rural New Mexico customers with additional redundancy for
lifeline services and further capacity for faster, more reliable
Internet access and phone service. WNMC provides telecommunications
services to more than 6,000 business and residential customers across
15,000 square miles in southwestern New Mexico.
Upgrading WNMC's existing infrastructure and expanding the capacity of
its backbone posed a number of challenges. First, the changes could not
disrupt current customers' services—even for a few hours. Second, WNMC's
extensive network of buried cable, fiber optic trunks and microwave
crisscrossed thousands of square miles of very rugged and sparsely
populated territory. Finally, WNMC was on a tight timeline, as it sought
to complete the network upgrade before the company's fiscal year-end.
"We needed more than just an equipment vendor," said Steve George,
Director of Operations, WNM Communications. "We needed a solutions
provider that would sit down with us and co-develop the best network
design. We also needed them to meet our traditional telecommunications
requirements, as well as support our Ethernet migration plans, including
expanding Internet access to new customers in remote areas, and enabling
Voice over Internet (VoIP) capabilities. And, they had to deliver
quickly and provide ongoing tech support. The Aviat Networks team met
all of our requirements and more."
To address all the complexities of the project, Aviat Networks proposed
a phased approach to upgrading WNMC's backbone network. The first phase
included the installation of Aviat Networks' Eclipse microwave platform
with indoor IRU600 RF unit to expand the capacity of the backbone and
support advanced Ethernet functionality. A key benefit of the IRU600
radio is that it supports WNMC's legacy DS1/DS3 network as well as
Ethernet on the same telecommunications link. That means WNMC can
continue to leverage its existing network while transitioning to IP
backhaul at a pace that makes sense.
In the second phase, Aviat Networks engineers conducted site surveys to
ensure the network design was optimal. Next, spurs were extended and
expanded off the network backbone to provide enhanced service to WNMC
customers in underserved and remote areas. Accomplishing this required
the installation of more than a dozen microwave hops, each of which
provided mixed mode (TDM and Ethernet) capability. To ensure WNMC's
network experienced no disruptions, Aviat Networks engineers were onsite
during each of the site cutovers.
The network was also designed to accommodate future growth. For
instance, when additional Ethernet capacity is required, WNMC can
allocate bandwidth directly from their operations offices using Aviat
Networks' ProVision™ remote provisioning software.
"Helping WNM Communications upgrade its broadband network was a true
partnership," said Travis Mitchell, Carrier Sales Manager, Aviat
Networks. "We and WNMC thought out the upgrade complexities, resulting
in the perfect solution for reliable lifeline services and enhanced
capacity for faster and more reliable Internet access. With this
upgrade, WNMC will be able to provide customers with the latest
communications products and services for years to come."
About Aviat Networks
Aviat Networks, Inc. is a leader in wireless transmission solutions. We
apply innovation and IP networking expertise toward building a carrier
class foundation for future mobile and fixed broadband networks. With
more than 750,000 systems installed around the world, Aviat Networks has
built a reputation as a leader in offering best-of-breed solutions
including LTE-ready microwave backhaul and a complete portfolio of
service and support options to public and private telecommunications
operators worldwide. With a global reach and local presence in more than
46 countries, Aviat Networks works by the side of its customers allowing
them to quickly and cost effectively seize new market and service
opportunities. Aviat Networks, formerly Harris Stratex Networks Inc., is
headquartered in Santa Clara, California and is listed on NASDAQ (AVNW).
For more information, please visit www.aviatnetworks.com or join the
dialogue at www.twitter.com/aviatnetworks .
About WNM Communications
WNM Communications (WNMC) is telecommunications company providing
telephone service and high-speed Internet access to customers in rural
southwestern New Mexico. Originally known as the Mogollon Mountain
Telephone Company, WNMC has grown from less than 600 customers in 1974
to more than 6,000 businesses and residents, and its service area now
covers more than 15,000 square miles. WNM Communications is
headquartered in Silver City, NM. For more information, please visit:
http://wnmc.com/
--------
Note: WNMC now offers up to 1.5Mbps DSL service for $62.95/mo.
residential and $72.95/mo. business, in the following locations: Alma,
Cliff/Gila, Datil, Glenwood, Lake Roberts, Lordsburg, Magdalena,
Mimbres, Pie Town, Pleasanton, Quemado and Reserve; and $40 residential
and business, in Silver City.
RL
--
Richard Lowenberg
1st-Mile Institute
Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504
505-989-9110 / 505-603-5200
www.1st-mile.com
rl at 1st-mile.com
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