LREMC Selects Calix E7s and 700GE ONTs

PETALUMA, CA — Lumbee River Electric Membership Corporation (LREMC) has selected the Calix E7-20 and E7-2 Ethernet Service Access Platforms (ESAPs) and 700GE series optical network terminals (ONTs) to deliver voice, video, and high-speed data services to residents and business in North Carolina's Robeson County.

Bringing Fiber-based Broadband to Underserved Areas
With over 50,000 electric members across 2,500 square miles in four counties, LREMC expanded its service offering to include broadband services in 2012. A previously underserved area, LREMC was awarded a $19.9 million Broadband Stimulus combined grant and loan to bring fiber-based services to approximately 15,000 residents, 1,600 businesses, and 100 anchor institutions. The LREMC open access network will utilize gigabit passive optical network (GPON) technology for service delivery.

Utilizing an Open Access Network Model
As an electric cooperative, LREMC applied for Broadband Stimulus funding with the intent to attract an established telecommunications service provider to deliver services to subscribers. By utilizing an open access network model, LREMC has been able to solicit a contract with Connected Investments, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Calix customer HTC of Conway, South Carolina. Connected Investments will be doing business as Bluewave Communications and plans to offer voice, video, and high-speed data services to subscribers connected to the LREMC fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network.

"In order to run the internal systems we use as an electric cooperative, we had built a fiber backbone network some years ago," said Jeff Jackson, director of information technology at LREMC. "As the Broadband Stimulus program launched, we decided to expand that network to bring broadband to an area that was underserved and significantly grow our network to more than 500 miles of fiber. In working with Calix and HTC, who have a long history of working together, we have been able to deliver on the intent of the stimulus program and extend the reach of broadband to members and non-members alike in Robeson County."