SANTA CLARA, Calif., 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/