Kentucky utility expands fiber optic communications

Communication solutions provider Alcatel, has recently signed a contract with Paducah Power System, a municipally owned electric distribution utility service in Kentucky to expand their fiber optic backbone with Alcatel's fiber-to-the-user (FTTU) and OmniSwitch enterprise data infrastructure range.

With the deployment of additional fiber, along with Alcatel's 7340 FTTU and OmniSwitch products, Paducah will meet growing internal communications needs, such as SCADA, and expand high speed data, voice, and video capabilities to area businesses. The new network is expected to help drive economic growth in the region by attracting new investments and improve the quality of life in the communities it serves. This is Alcatel's second FTTU deployment in Kentucky.

Alcatel provides communications solutions to telecommunication carriers, Internet service providers and enterprises for delivery of voice, data and video applications to their customers or to their employees. Alcatel specializes in fixed and mobile broadband networks, applications and services.

Alcatel said in a recent statement that the 7340 platform is a market leading FTTU solution that leverages the company's access expertise, market position, and innovation "capitalizing on Alcatel's wireline broadband access technology leadership".

The 7340 product also uses a standards-based Broadband Passive Optical Networking (BPON) technology, supporting the triple play of services common today as well as emerging high-bandwidth services such as on-line gaming, music downloads, video-on-demand and high definition television. The Alcatel OmniSwitch is the industry's best platform for providing businesses with the high-availability for non-stop services and multi-layer security for trusted communications.

Paducah will deploy the Alcatel OmniSwitch product family to deliver next generation Gigabit Ethernet services to its power substations. All substations, connected via redundant GigE links, will also be used to transport voice, video, data, and multimedia services for Paducah's FTTU network.

"Paducah Power System is committed to providing an advanced communications infrastructure to the markets we serve," said David Clark, General Manager of Paducah Power System. "Alcatel is able to provide Paducah Power System with end-to-end solutions for multiple applications, backed by the support and expertise that we expect of a technology leader."

"With Alcatel's FTTU solution, service providers can deploy a network composed completely of fiber to support current customer requirements, while at the same time positioning themselves for the future," said Mike Dobbs, senior vice president of Alcatel's Access Business in North America. "Our solution provides a superior platform for all the bundled services operators want to offer subscribers today and tomorrow."

Alcatel has multiple FTTU deployments in North America and has been involved in several FTTU field trials with operators in the Asia Pacific region.