February 4, 2003--Alloptic (Livermore, CA), a provider of Gigabit Ethernet passive optical network (EPON) solutions, today announced it has been selected by Cheney, Wash., to implement the first phase of a $6 million fiber-to-the-home(FTTH) and fiber-to-the-business(FTTB) project in that city.
Alloptic's GigaForce open access platform will enable Cheney residences and businesses to access bandwidth up to 300 times faster than DSL or cable modems. Once the project is complete, Cheney will be one of the most technologically advanced cities in the country, with the ability to deliver a full range of voice (TDM and IP), video (multiple RF and IP) and high-speed Internet services.
"Alloptic has an open access architecture and is the only vendor capable of enabling multiple RF video service providers over one platform," said Paul Schmidt, Cheney's city administrator. "In addition, the Alloptic solution will enable the city of Cheney to realize a satisfactory return on its investment. I look forward to deployment of the entire network, so that we can all reap the benefits of these converged services as a community."
Cheney administrators contracted with Zero dB Consulting Engineers to provide engineering consulting services for this project. Based on Zero dB's recommendation, the city decided to implement a multi-year, $6.1 million contract, planned for a two-phase rollout. Phase I, which began last month, will bring converged services to all city administrative and operating facilities, as well as to a target group of local businesses. Phase II, which is scheduled to start mid-year, is the deployment of services to an estimated 3,600 homes.
The GigaForce system is a converged, high-density, carrier-class platform offering network operators a revolutionary 1-Gbit/sec symmetrical EPON solution. Patented, burst-mode optical transceiver technology delivers 1 Gbit/sec of symmetrical bandwidth over a PON.
Incorporated in 1883, the city of Cheney is located approximately 15 miles southwest of Spokane. A town of 9,300 people, Cheney is a bedroom community with a growing manufacturing base.
