August 4, 2004 Minneapolis, MN -- Optical Solutions Inc. has been selected by Oregon-based Molalla Communications Co. (MCC) to deploy its FiberPath 500 Fiber-to-the-Premise (FTTP) system in a new residential subdivision of Molalla, a community of 5,700 residents located at the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, approximately 30 miles south of Portland.
Optical Solutions' FiberPath 500 equipment is installed and running live traffic in nearly 80 communities nationwide, says the company. The system delivers what the company claims is unprecedented bandwidth capacity for voice, video, and data applications via direct-fiber connections to the home or business.
"As a cooperative, we are focused on doing what's in the best interest of our members, who are also our owners," contends Michael East, MCC president and CEO. "Fiber is an integral part of our strategic plan to provide members with advanced services in the future."
In its initial deployment, Molalla Communications will offer voice and high-speed data services to as many as 100 customers in Lexington Estates, a new housing development. Service to several customers starts this week.
"Three years ago, we completed a five-year construction plan to install fiber throughout our network service area," recalls East. "Now, with the proven business case for FTTP, our long-term plan includes deployment of fiber all the way to customers' doorsteps in our new subdivisions. It's an exciting move toward securing our future and assuring long-term customer satisfaction."
Established in 1913, Molalla Communications serves approximately 5,400 members and maintains 7,000 access lines within a 308-square-mile service area. The cooperative provides a complete range of telecommunication services, including local and long-distance telephone, broadband Internet, and advanced calling features such as voice mail and caller ID.
Ed Lettenmaier, chairman of MCC's board of directors and long-time resident of Molalla, says the board's philosophy is clear: "We need to be in a position to deliver advanced services at a competitive price, with the highest-quality customer service possible. If we don't, someone else will," he asserts.
Historically, MCC's member adoption rates for new services have kept pace with the national average of larger metropolitan cities. "Our members want it all--a quality rural lifestyle and state-of-the-art telecommunication services," Lettenmaier adds. "We do our part to accomplish that goal everyday."