Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative (PRTC) has begun to deploy Calix B6 Ethernet Service Access Nodes (ESANs)and the 2000 family of optical network terminals (ONTs) to bring fiber-based broadband services to Jackson and Owsley counties in Kentucky, according to Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX). PRTC will deploy gigabit passive optical network (GPON) technology to support such services as digital television, data, and voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) to more than 3,500 residences and businesses over fiber, funded by a broadband stimulus award.
The PRTC broadband stimulus award totals $25.5 million in overall funds, including a $17.9 million grant and a $7.6 million loan, which will cover plant engineering, materials, labor, and other costs such as access equipment. With this award, Calix has now been selected access vendor to three Broadband Stimulus projects in Kentucky, amounting to over $227 million in awarded funds.
Keith Gabbard, general manager and CEO at PRTC says, "This broadband stimulus initiative will bring one of the nation's most advanced fiber access infrastructures to the homes and businesses of Jackson and Owsley Counties, providing access to services that we believe will drive economic growth and new opportunity throughout these impoverished rural areas."
PRTC has started this project in Owsley County and will deploy to additional homes and businesses in Jackson County. GPON technology will be installed across the B6 ESAN and Calix 2444 ONTs, bringing radio frequency (RF) video overlay, broadband services and Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP) VoIP to subscribers.