SEPTEMBER 17, 2009 -- Corning Cable Systems LLC, part of Corning Inc.’s Telecommunications segment, and Horizon Telcom have announced the selection of Corning Cable Systems as the supplier of optical fiber cable for the Southern Ohio Health Care Network (SOHCN).
The SOHCN project will connect more than 120 healthcare facilities to a fiber-optic network. The connectivity will enable area providers to participate in telemedicine initiatives, community health record projects, and the regional health information organization. Likewise, use of the network will enhance sustainability of rural medical practices, develop deeper collaboration among health care providers, and enhance emergency communications, the companies assert.
From 60 to 75 percent of SOHCN’s 34-county area has no access to broadband, the companies say, increasing the difficulty of rural economic development. The region includes the state’s 10 poorest counties and all of Appalachia Ohio’s at-risk and distressed counties. The new fiber-optic network will serve communities in Adams, Athens, Fayette, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Scioto, and Vinton counties.
Through its authorized distribution channel, KGP Logistics, Corning Cable Systems will supply its Enhanced ALTOS gel-free optical fiber cables. ALTOS gel-free cables are lightweight cables designed for duct and aerial installation. Corning Cable Systems says it was chosen based on many value-added components such as design support, deployment expertise, OSP cost-modeling tools, and formalized training classes.
Horizon Telcom’s fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) deployments are already part of the Corning Connected Community Program, which is designed to support developers as they market homes with FTTH technology to home buyers.
“We're excited to have this opportunity to deploy Corning's top-quality fiber optic cable as the backbone of our new network,” said Bill McKell, Horizon CEO. “This fiber optic network will virtually 'future-proof' these communities, allowing the businesses and organizations as well as the health care providers in each community to access state-of-the-art broadband services.”