Long Lines short-lists Embarq Logistics, Wave7

Embarq Logistics, which will be exhibiting at Nxtcomm 2007, and fiber equipment vendor Wave7 are deploying a fiber-to-the-premises network for South Sioux City, Neb., customers of Long Lines, an independent operating company serving more than 100 communities in Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota.

Under a recently signed agreement, Embarq Logistics is managing the project, which features Wave7 Optics’ Trident7 Optical Access Platform. Last year, the vendors announced a distribution agreement that will help meet the growing demand from independent service providers, such as Long Lines, to deploy FTTP networks.

Services include a complete triple play of voice, data and RF video, including Wave7 Optics patented RF return. The Long Lines solution also includes RF video headend equipment and set top boxes from Scientific-Atlanta (whose parent firm, Cisco Systems, will be exhibiting at Nxtcomm), a voice switching solution from Nxtcomm exhibitor Nortel, and an IP digital terminal from General Bandwidth.

“This marks our first foray into FTTP, in which we have become increasingly interested over the last several months to improve our service bundles and increase available bandwidth to end users,” said Paul Bergmann, COO of Long Lines, in a statement. “Long Lines' business plan is focused on building the communication infrastructure needed to attract economic development.”

Initial service over the network debuts this month.