Stadtnetze Barmstedt Constructs Optical Fibre Network with KEYMILE Technology

Online, August 27, 2013 (Newswire.com) - As a result, the population of the town to the south of Schleswig-Holstein, Northern Germany, will have fast Internet, landlines and an extensive range of digital TV programmes. KEYMILE's multi-service access platform MileGate is the technology at the heart of the solution.

Stadtnetze Barmstedt's broadband project is right on schedule. By the end of 2013, all 3,500 houses in the town are to be connected to the new optical fibre network. This optical fibre network will give customers HD television and 100 Mbps Internet access. Each home's optical fibre line is connected using KEYMILE's multi-service access platform MileGate, ensuring a high level of reliability and availability.

Key reasons why the network operator picked MileGate were the functions offered that other major utilities and network suppliers are already using in comparable optical fibre projects. MileGate is a compact solution with high levels of port density for broadband access and telephone services using copper wire and optical fibre. The multi-service access platform can transmit digital television services and provide broadband Internet access on the same optical fibre without any further external equipment. Therefore, Stadtnetze Barmstedt can easily and cost effectively supply the town's population with a wide range of TV channels.

In its optical fibre network, Stadtnetze Barmstedt is installing MileGate 2310 and 2510 subracks, both of which are ideal for outdoor cabinets. MileGate 2310 has been designed for medium-sized connection points and can provide up to 168 FTTH customer lines. Network operators use MileGate 2510 to supply up to 480 subscribers with broadband services via optical fibre, making it a good choice for large access points.

Each household is connected directly to a MileGate port via a dedicated optical fibre. Using an integrated wavelength multiplexer MileGate adds the digital television signal to the Internet signal (known as RF overlay for CATV). When it reaches the subscriber's home, the terminal equipment separates the Ethernet and TV signal from one another. Here the cable television signal is turned into an electrical television signal and fed into the home's existing coaxial cables. The Ethernet signal ends in the terminal equipment which customers can connect their computers for Internet access, or further IP-based terminal equipment to (for example SIP phones, set-top boxes). This solution means that Stadtnetze Barmstedt needs to set up, operate and manage less technology for their triple-play services.

Barmstedt is one of the few towns of a comparable size (a population of just under 10,000) in Germany that's setting up its own optical fibre network. The local authority is something of a pioneer in this respect. After completing the local network, there are plans to supply adjacent districts with fast broadband access. If economically feasible, expansion of optical fibre lines is to follow there too, or a mix of FTTH and VDSL2.

"When we launched the optical-fibre expansion project in Barmstedt almost three years ago, we opted for KEYMILE for several reasons. We believe it's important to work with an equally professional partner who can implement our specifications flexibly", explains Olaf Lorenz, head of the Network and IT division at Stadtnetze Barmstedt. "Since the project began, our working relationship with KEYMILE has been very productive. Consequently, from the planning phase to actual execution of the project, foundations were put in place to ensure a successful outcome and which we will be able to count on in future projects".