SANTA CLARA, Calif.,
Dec. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/
-- Aviat Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVNW), a leading expert in
wireless transmission solutions, today announced that it helped WNM
Communications (WNMC) provide its rural New Mexico customers with additional
redundancy for lifeline services and further capacity for faster,
more reliable Internet access and phone service. WNMC provides
telecommunications services to more than 6,000 business and
residential customers across 15,000 square miles in southwestern
New Mexico.
Upgrading WNMC's existing infrastructure and expanding the
capacity of its backbone posed a number of challenges. First, the
changes could not disrupt current customers' services—even for a
few hours. Second, WNMC's extensive network of buried cable, fiber
optic trunks and microwave crisscrossed thousands of square miles
of very rugged and sparsely populated territory. Finally, WNMC was
on a tight timeline, as it sought to complete the network upgrade
before the company's fiscal year-end.
"We needed more than just an equipment vendor," said
Steve George, Director of
Operations, WNM Communications. "We needed a solutions provider
that would sit down with us and co-develop the best network design.
We also needed them to meet our traditional telecommunications
requirements, as well as support our Ethernet migration plans,
including expanding Internet access to new customers in remote
areas, and enabling Voice over Internet (VoIP) capabilities. And,
they had to deliver quickly and provide ongoing tech support. The
Aviat Networks team met all of our requirements and more."
To address all the complexities of the project, Aviat Networks
proposed a phased approach to upgrading WNMC's backbone network.
The first phase included the installation of Aviat Networks'
Eclipse microwave platform with indoor IRU600 RF unit to expand the
capacity of the backbone and support advanced Ethernet
functionality. A key benefit of the IRU600 radio is that it
supports WNMC's legacy DS1/DS3 network as well as Ethernet on the
same telecommunications link. That means WNMC can continue to
leverage its existing network while transitioning to IP backhaul at
a pace that makes sense.
In the second phase, Aviat Networks engineers conducted site
surveys to ensure the network design was optimal. Next, spurs were
extended and expanded off the network backbone to provide enhanced
service to WNMC customers in underserved and remote areas.
Accomplishing this required the installation of more than a dozen
microwave hops, each of which provided mixed mode (TDM and
Ethernet) capability. To ensure WNMC's network experienced no
disruptions, Aviat Networks engineers were onsite during each of
the site cutovers.
The network was also designed to accommodate future growth. For
instance, when additional Ethernet capacity is required, WNMC can
allocate bandwidth directly from their operations offices using
Aviat Networks' ProVision™ remote provisioning software.
"Helping WNM Communications upgrade its broadband network was a
true partnership," said Travis
Mitchell, Carrier Sales Manager, Aviat Networks. "We and
WNMC thought out the upgrade complexities, resulting in the perfect
solution for reliable lifeline services and enhanced capacity for
faster and more reliable Internet access. With this upgrade, WNMC
will be able to provide customers with the latest communications
products and services for years to come."
About Aviat Networks
Aviat Networks, Inc. is a leader in wireless transmission
solutions. We apply innovation and IP networking expertise toward
building a carrier class foundation for future mobile and fixed
broadband networks. With more than 750,000 systems installed around
the world, Aviat Networks has built a reputation as a leader in
offering best-of-breed solutions including LTE-ready microwave
backhaul and a complete portfolio of service and support options to
public and private telecommunications operators worldwide. With a
global reach and local presence in more than 46 countries, Aviat
Networks works by the side of its customers allowing them to
quickly and cost effectively seize new market and service
opportunities. Aviat Networks, formerly Harris Stratex Networks
Inc., is headquartered in Santa Clara,
California and is listed on NASDAQ (AVNW). For more
information, please visit www.aviatnetworks.com or join the
dialogue at www.twitter.com/aviatnetworks.
About WNM Communications
WNM Communications (WNMC) is telecommunications company
providing telephone service and high-speed Internet access to
customers in rural southwestern New
Mexico. Originally known as the Mogollon Mountain Telephone
Company, WNMC has grown from less than 600 customers in 1974 to
more than 6,000 businesses and residents, and its service area now
covers more than 15,000 square miles. WNM Communications is
headquartered in Silver City, NM.
For more information, please visit: http://wnmc.com/
SOURCE Aviat Networks, Inc.