Ciena, Telamon to bring broadband access to Navajo Nation

Network equipment maker Ciena has collaborated with telecommunication products distributor Telamon to bring high-speed broadband access and 4G wireless services to the Navajo Nation. Initiated by the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority and funded by a federal stimulus grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), the network will include 550 miles of aerial fibre-optic cable and 59 new or modified microwave towers to connect the Navajo Nation across a 27,000 square mile service area. Last mile wireless services will be offered at speeds between 1 and 3Mbps through the project's wireless partner Commnet Wireless. The network will enable public safety, health, social services and emergency care facilities, as well as local government and administration offices to deliver distance learning, telemedicine, security monitoring and Scada services. The Navajo Nation's converged optical Ethernet network will be connected by Ciena's suite of packet-optical transport and Carrier Ethernet systems. This will include the ActivSpan 4200 Advanced Services Platform, ActivFlex 6130 Multiservice Optical Platform, ActivEdge 3960 Service Aggregation Switch, ActivEdge 5150 Service Aggregation Switch and ActivEdge 3911 Service Delivery Switch, all managed via elements from Ciena's network management software to provide the network backbone, 'middle mile' service architecture and mobile backhaul infrastructure.