Dakota Central adds capacity to fiber broadband network with Ribbon IP optical platforms
Ribbon Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: RBBN) says it has supplied its Apollo optical transport and Neptune IP routing systems to Dakota Central. The North Dakota based independent operating company (IOC) is using the IP and optical systems to increase the capacity of its network, enabling Dakota Central to provide enhanced broadband services and support new offering such as 5G mobile backhaul.
The ROADM-based upgrade not only provides additional fiber network capacity, which Ribbon says can be added easily between hubs, but also aids service delivery, the creation of traffic profiles, and network configuration in the face of a network failure.
“We had exhausted the capacity of our old network and were in need of a proven solution that would easily scale and allow us to deliver next generation communications services,” commented John Cunningham, chief network officer at Dakota Central. “Ribbon’s IP Optical solutions provided us with the additional bandwidth we needed, and the ability to easily scale up to 200 gigabits, which allows us to deliver our customers faster broadband and gives us the ability to now offer 5G backhaul services.”
“Dakota Central has been a long-time Ribbon customer, having deployed our Call Control and Session Border Controller products, so we are delighted that they have entrusted us to upgrade their broadband network with our IP Optical portfolio,” added Elizabeth Page, U.S. rural market director for Ribbon. “After a very competitive process, they saw the numerous benefits Ribbon offered over the competition such as the ability to quickly turn up new services, enhanced traffic management capabilities and improved network monitoring and fault management of the IP transport and optical layers through a single pane of glass.”
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Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
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