March 21, 2003--Chariton Valley Telecom Corp. and Chariton Valley Telephone Corp. of Missouri have begun installation of Last Mile Link (LML) optical access systems from Wave7 Optics in Macon, MO.
Chariton Valley Telecom will use its new network, which should connect 3,500 homes and businesses over the next 12 to 18 months, to operate as a CLEC delivering broadband services. Chariton Valley Telephone, an ILEC, intends to expand its network and deploy LML to approximately 900 subscribers located in Bevier, Callao, New Cambria, and Bucklin sometime in 2004 and to approximately 2,000 subscribers in Huntsville and Salisbury in the 2005 timeframe.
"With this deployment we will have the most advanced network in the state. Macon will be the first to have a complete fiber-to-the-home network, with our Bevier, Callao, New Cambria, and Bucklin exchanges to follow closely behind following our master plans to implement network upgrades," said Bill Biere, general manager of Chariton Valley.
The LML provides up to 300 times more capacity than competing broadband systems, such as DSL or cable modem, at the same or lower installation cost, according to Wave7. Chariton Valley will be able to provide each of its customers access speeds from 256 kbits/sec up to a maximum of 500 Mbits/sec "symmetrical" service, unlike typical "asymmetrical" services where download speeds exceed upload speeds. The LML uses standard data, telephone and CATV interfaces at its customer premise devices to accommodate existing home and business telephone, television, and computer systems.
Chariton Valley Telephone was incorporated in 1952 and operates as a cooperative. It has approximately 6,000 shareholders and services more than 8,000 local access lines within 18 exchanges in rural north central Missouri. Chariton Valley Telecom, its newest subsidiary, will offer competitive local service.