In the Press
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In the Press |
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Date: 21st March 2007 Title: PacketFront makes FTTH broadband a reality in rural Norway PacketFront, the pioneer in open-access broadband networking, has announced that two power utility companies in the Northern-most territories of Norway – Alta Kraftlag and Varanger Kraft – have deployed fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) networks, using PacketFront technology and expertise. Using both a low cost, high efficiency and high speed fibre-in-the air technique, and underground pipes, the two deployments together cover an area of 48, 649 kilometres and will benefit many households in the region – giving them broadband access for the first time. Alta now has a fully operational triple-play network while Varanger has gone open access, enabling multiple providers to compete over the same network, giving users ultimate choice. Together with the deployment for Troms Kraft, PacketFront's broadband solution will now cover a large part of northern Norway. Norwegian network integrator and PacketFront partner, NetNordic, has been in charge of the system integration. The remoteness of the region in Finnmark had previously prevented communities from receiving broadband but PacketFront's FTTH solution is already transforming the business and leisure potential of the area. Now inhabitants can enjoy greater flexibility – with home working, video conferencing and large scale downloads a reality. PacketFront's future-proofed and scaleable technology will enable both companies to extend their networks in the future, offering limitless possibilities in terms of network potential – and enterprise re-generation. The two fully automated broadband networks are enabled by PacketFront's control and provisioning system BECS, together with its ASR routers. "It became clear to us that without modern infrastructure, it would become impossible to maximise our economic potential," said Per-Erik Ramstad, CEO of Alta Kraftlag. "The simplicity of the BECS system was a major factor in choosing PacketFront to build our network. From the beginning of the six month trial period, which started in April last year, home users and businesses have been benefiting hugely from the advantages of triple play – and because it's so straightforward to keep the system up and running, operational staff have been kept to the absolute minimum." For Alta Kraftlag's triple-play network, IPTV is transported 2,500 kilometres to Alta from Oslo via cable. Varanger Kraft's open access network covers three cities and all households will step-by-step be offered triple-play services. An IPTV streamer has been installed, enabling 140 IPTV channels to be produced locally. Both networks have been built in the air using low voltage fibre, keeping costs down, and ensuring a faster and simpler build. "PacketFront made, what seemed like a mammoth task, an efficient, cost effective and speedy network transformation," said Gunlaug Egeland, CEO of Varanger KraftlagUtvikling. "Our open-access network means that we will benefit from several providers offering their services, promoting greater business opportunities for the area and giving users greater choice and flexibility. A further key reason for choosing PacketFront was that its infrastructure supports room for growth." "It has always been a major part of our vision to bring high-speed broadband to rural areas that regular DSL lines won't reach," said Martin Thunman, CEO of PacketFront. "To be able to facilitate business re-generation and empower home users with sophisticated triple play functionalities gives us a lot of satisfaction and is testament to the huge benefits of FTTH technology and the flexibility of PacketFront solutions." About Alta Kraftlag About Varanger Kraft About NetNordic
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