#United States #Washington #Ekinops #Whidbey Telecom #optical transport

Ekinops Enhances Connectivity for Whidbey Telecom

Ekinops, a notable player in the optical transport and network access sector, has recently partnered with Whidbey Telecom, a rural service provider in Washington state, to bolster its middle mile connectivity. This collaboration is aimed at expanding the capacity of Whidbey Telecom’s optical transport network to meet the increasing demand for high-speed internet in underserved areas.

Whidbey Telecom has an impressive legacy, founded in 1908 as Whidbey Telephone Company. It has been at the forefront of network innovation, employing early technologies like microwave transmission and submarine cables. They were also the first telephone provider west of the Rocky Mountains to offer internet services. Serving communities that are geographically isolated, including South Whidbey, Hat Island, and Point Roberts, Whidbey Telecom aims to provide robust connectivity to regions considered rural despite their proximity to urban centers.

To elevate its broadband offerings, Whidbey Telecom is utilizing funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development program and the NTIA's Middle Mile program. They are launching a high-speed Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) network to ensure that more residents have access to reliable internet service. Recognizing that the burgeoning subscriber traffic, driven by substantial data usage growth and increased connectivity speeds, was straining its existing infrastructure, Whidbey Telecom sought Ekinops' expertise to enhance its network's capacity and efficiency.

Through this strategic partnership, the two companies are deploying aggregation and transport solutions to upgrade vital sections of Whidbey Telecom’s middle mile network. This network is crucial as it connects new FTTH installations to regional internet exchanges, some of which are in remote locations. The Ekinops360 optical transport platform, managed by the Celestis Network Management System (NMS), will facilitate up to 600G of wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) transport capacity. This capacity will span distances of up to 90 kilometers, including an undersea connection across the Salish Sea. Additionally, lower speed cards will aggregate services at the network's edge.

Donna Hilty, COO of Whidbey Telecom, emphasized the importance of this expansion, stating that it will significantly support their broadband initiatives and is just the initial phase of their strategic development. This upgrade not only enhances customer service but also creates opportunities for Whidbey Telecom to expand its wholesale service business, including backhaul services for partner providers as far as Alaska.

Joe Krzizike, Regional Vice President of North America at Ekinops, highlighted the vital role of rural providers like Whidbey in bridging the digital divide, noting that they often serve areas neglected by larger providers. He pointed out the flexibility and efficiency of Ekinops360, which enables multiple applications to run off the same infrastructure, thereby allowing Whidbey Telecom to tap into new revenue channels and fully capitalize on their investment in the network.

This initiative marks a significant step forward in enhancing rural broadband. Ekinops and Whidbey Telecom are paving the way for improved connectivity and access to essential services in underserved areas, thus contributing to a more inclusive digital landscape. To learn more about the Ekinops360 portfolio, visit their official website.