Chelan County PUD picks ETI for FTTP provisioning

April 4, 2005 Norcross, GA -- Chelan County Public Utility District (PUD) has selected ETI's Triad system, including the system's Multi-ORG module, to manage independent service providers and automate the provisioning of the PUD's FTTP network. The company is a global developer of automated provisioning and OSS software used for the delivery of voice, video, and data services.

Prior to selecting the company's product, the PUD's FTTP network voice, video, and data gateways were hand-provisioned, with service provider requests delivered using Chelan's host Web portal. According to a press release, this manual process required multiple data entry points, causing service errors and delays. With the new system, provisioning requests automatically flow from the PUD's Web portal to the system's Multi-ORG module, for instant activation of FTTP network and television services.

"The Multi-ORG module will benefit us greatly by providing security for each service provider's customer accounts, as we have opened access to our FTTP network to a host of retailers," adds John Smith, networks director of Chelan County PUD.

"Chelan County PUD is an excellent example of how Triad can help provision services from multiple providers on a single FTTP network to the subscriber," remarks Peter M. Pifer, CEO of ETI. "As more FTTP network builders allow service providers to share their fiber infrastructure, we expect to see even more demand for Triad and Triad Multi-ORG in situations similar to the one faced by Chelan County PUD."

According to the company, its Triad system provides "out-of-the-box" functionality to automate the complex provisioning processes for FTTP technologies from a variety of vendors. The system is able to activate all service ports on the Optical Network Terminal (ONT), the termination point of the FTTP network at the customer's service location. Additionally, the system instantaneously sets the bandwidth or QoS of the ONT's data port, thereby automatically setting the service level requested by the provider. According to the company, supporting this provisioning requirement is key, as service providers offer differentiated bandwidth services at varying price points. Additionally, the system supports automatic discovery of new ONTs on the FTTP network, instantaneously provisioning correct services to these devices in real-time once they come online.

Chelan County PUD is constructing a wholesale fiber-optic network to provide more than 8,000 homes, businesses, schools, hospitals, and government offices throughout Chelan County, Washington with affordable high-speed Internet and telephone services, with cable television services to be launched in 2005. Wholesale FTTP services are being offered through 14 private service providers.