Two-time Broadband Stimulus award winner ENMR•Plateau Telecommunications has selected the EXA Powered Calix E7 Ethernet Service Access Platform (ESAP) from Calix Inc. for both of its advanced broadband projects.
The E7 ESAP will provide fast, high-capacity, middle-mile transport services for both of these initiatives, delivering network traffic over Ethernet at speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second (Gbps). This advanced open network infrastructure will serve anchor institutions throughout eastern New Mexico and West Texas, providing potential subscribers with the foundation for advanced broadband connectivity, and facilitating faster and more affordable broadband services, distance learning programs, and telemedicine access.
The two ENMR•Plateau Broadband Stimulus awards combined total $40.1 million in overall funds, including $27.7 million grants, and matching funds and in-kind contributions of $12.4 million, which include plant engineering, materials, labor, and other costs, including access equipment.
“We believe that a leading indicator of the future economic viability of rural communities is their access to an advanced high-speed broadband infrastructure,” says Tom Phelps, CEO of ENMR•Plateau. “With the help of these grants and other funds and contributions we have made to these projects, we believe that we are laying the foundation for these rural regions of eastern New Mexico and West Texas to attract sustainable growth for many years to come. By working closely on this project with our long-time partner Calix, we are confident that we are working with the right company, systems, and technologies to make these ambitious projects a reality.”
ENMR•Plateau plans to deploy the Calix E7-2 ESAP to provide 10 Gbps Ethernet (10GbE) transport services across this rural region. Capable of delivering both gigabit passive optical network (GPON) and point-to-point GbE drops as well as 10GE aggregation and transport services, the E7-2 gives ENMR•Plateau a variety of deployment options capable of delivering advanced fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) services to its subscribers.
“Building on its 60-year history of delivering advanced communications services to eastern New Mexico and West Texas, ENMR•Plateau is now expanding its reach into new regions and deploying a broadband infrastructure capable of delivering a whole new generation of services,” says John Colvin, vice president of field operations at Calix. “Because of their vision and their investment, an entire region of nearly three-quarters of a million people will have the potential to benefit from a world-class communications network, providing new opportunities for economic, educational, and social development. Calix is proud to be a key partner in this Fiber Forward initiative, and congratulates the citizens of the region on being the beneficiaries of one of the nation’s premiere communications infrastructures.”