Rochester Telephone Co.

"When we were making our decision, all the vendors were relatively new to the market and we were extremely nervous about our choice. Our project is not a test market - this was a make or break decision for us. I am delighted to be able to say how happy we have been with WAVE7. The product has performed very well. Their tech support is knowledgeable, responsive and professional. WAVE7 has been everything we were looking for in a partner."

Alan Terrell
President
Rochester Telephone, IN

Situation - Rochester Telephone Company (RTC) is a progressive leader in communications and services for rural communities in North Central Indiana. Since its beginnings in 1895, Rochester Telephone has grown from a first few bold customers into one of the primary leaders in telecommunications in Indiana, providing service to almost 8,500 access lines. RTC began providing Internet service in 1996, and in 2002 the RTC Board of Directors approved a $9 million project to provide broadband services throughout its service area via a new FTTP network, dubbed FiberConnect.

Prospects - When it came to evaluating broadband network technologies, RTC could have leveraged its existing "copper plant" to provide DSL services. However, RTC wanted to leapfrog DSL technology, as they knew the thirst for faster and faster Internet speeds would grow indefinitely, and they wanted to provide video services to offer an attractive triple play option to subscribers. Furthermore, after comparing various technological and economic criteria, it became apparent that “overbuilding” the existing copper lines with a new fiber network would provide significant advantages, such as the most advanced platform to provide a full suite of triple play services. RTC issued an RFP in mid-2002 and interviewed the network vendor finalists a few months later.

Solution - RTC and an engineering consulting firm evaluated RTC’s outside plant and PON design architecture, network elements and electronics, transport mode (ATM or IP), and the ability of the network equipment to handle future expansion. The Last Mile Link from Wave7 Optics was selected and the contract signed in December 2002.

"We studied access technology for more than two years and are confident we have chosen the right product and company for the job," said Ron Riggle, Director of Operations for Rochester Telephone. "Wave7 Optics’ unique RF return solution for enhanced video on demand services, coupled with its single fiber design makes the Last Mile Link System the most cost effective and practical solution for deployment."

RTC found that the OSP construction – a mix of 75 percent aerial and 25 percent buried premises connections -- went better than expected, due in part to the Last Mile Link’s flexible deployment options. RTC also determined that they could use a 1 x 8 splitter configuration for the entire town.

Current Situation - RTC is nearing the completion of its 75-mile FiberConnect network. When construction is complete RTC will have passed 3,200 residence and 600 business customers. More than 2,500 homes and business are now linked to FiberConnect with little marketing effort. More than half of the residential customers and almost one-third of the business customers installed have subscribed to the triple play option. Digital cable television, HDTV, pay-per-view and video-on-demand are next on the menu. The Last Mile Link’s bandwidth makes IPTV delivery of video services a very pliable option.

The balance of 2006 will be dedicated to reaching all the customers within the exchange. They will develop eight node locations and serve approximately 2,900 of the households, adding another 400 customers in 2006. They are investigating adding IP CATV in 2006.