September 8, 2004 Minneapolis, MN -- Optical Solutions Inc. and Bascom Mutual Telephone Company have teamed up on a competitive overbuild that they claim is edging out the local Bell incumbent in rural Ohio. The century-old cooperative has achieved 90% "take rates" with its deployment of FiberPath 500, Optical Solutions' triple-play equipment and networking solution utilizing Gigabit passive optical networking (GPON).
Bascom Mutual is overbuilding two communities in Fostoria and Tiffin, approximately 50 miles southeast of Toledo. For residents in these areas, the decision to switch service providers was a 'no-brainer,' according to Bascom General Manager Dennis Depinet. Residents who sign-up for services will enjoy high-speed data that is three times faster than the incumbent's offering, as well as the area's only IP voice and video services.
Moreover, these services will be provided at incomparable prices, say Bascom representatives, thanks to the cooperative's issuance of capital credits.
FiberPath 500 GPON seamlessly integrates with Bascom's unique copper-free, all-fiber and coax network. "FiberPath greatly enhances our data rates and video capabilities, and the distance of the PON allows us to economically deploy advanced services to rural customers," explains Depinet.
By deploying FiberPath 500, Bascom Mutual is taking advantage of the Ohio Public Utilities Commission's progressive legislation to help service providers roll out broadband services to the state's residents. Ohio's "edge out" policy means that Bascom Mutual and other independents can easily expand their service area via a competitive overbuild and offer broadband services in a neighboring area--all without forming a separate CLEC subsidiary.
"By expanding its service area with FiberPath, Bascom is bringing the life-enhancing quality of IP services to residents who would otherwise be left behind," adds Brian Brown, senior vice president of sales and service at Optical Solutions. "Bascom has not only secured the future of its network, it has secured the loyalty of a whole new community of customers."