Marne Elk Horn Telephone taps ADTRAN for FTTH network

Independent telco Marne Elk Horn Telephone has installed the Total Access 5000 broadband access platform from ADTRAN, Inc., (NASDAQ:ADTN) in its new fiber to the home (FTTH) network, according to the systems house. The fiber-optic network will provide IPTV, high-speed internet and high-definition video to local schools, residential subscribers, and business customers in Marne Elk Horn’s Southern Iowa footprint.

Supporting the needs of local schools was a priority for the FTTH effort. “Our students have been able to gain a deeper understanding of concepts by use of video and other technology we previously did not have. The teachers are able to give students a broader view of the world by integrating current events into the lessons through IP TV and DVR capability,” said Dean Schnoes, superintendent, Exira-EHK Community Schools. “The technology provided by Marne Elk Horn Telephone and ADTRAN helps us give students a high-level education that enhances our teaching opportunity both in the classroom and at home with our 1:1 laptop initiative, where each student has independent access to a computer and Internet resources.”

The FTTH network will enable Marne Elk Horn Telephone to expand its addressable market while making the community more attractive for business development and job creation.

“We selected ADTRAN’s FTTH platform because of the company’s reputation for providing best-in-class products and service along with the Total Access 5000’s unmatched flexibility to deliver multiple services all from a single platform,” said James Bieker, Central Office Installer, Marne Elk Horn Telephone. “With ADTRAN, we have been able to help young people receive a better education and assist our business customers increase revenue which enables them to provide local residents with more jobs. Our FTTH service has allowed our community to stay economically competitive with larger cities and towns in Iowa while continuing to enjoy the benefits of rural living.”

“The deployment of innovative broadband technologies can have long-lasting and far-reaching implications for communities from how they teach their children to how they stay connected in an increasingly global marketplace,” said Mitch Fleming, regional vice president, sales, ADTRAN Carrier Networks Division. “With ADTRAN, providers like Marne Elk Home Telephone can deploy a scalable, efficient service offering that meets their needs today, with an unmatched confidence that our company is ready to help them continue to evolve and grow as their own market develops.”

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