The Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) in Tennessee, has selected LightSpeed Technologies Inc., a Nokia partner and systems integrator providing next-generation networking solutions, to deliver the core and middle mile infrastructure in support of a multi-million-dollar, multi-gigabit symmetrical passive optical network (XGS-PON) enabling fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) for its more than 478,000 municipal customers.
The IP Core Network being implemented is comprised primarily of Nokia 7750 Service Routers. When complete, the XGS-PON network will enable KUB to provide 100 percent fiber-to-the-home, symmetrical broadband Internet access to its customers.
The KUB was created by an amendment to the Knoxville City Charter in 1939. As an independent agency of the City of Knoxville, KUB provides electric, natural gas, water, and wastewater services to nearly half a million customers in Knoxville and parts of seven surrounding counties. In December 2021, KUB announced it would begin to roll out its fiber optic network. LightSpeed was selected to provide the IP Core for the XGS-PON network, which is set to be delivered in a multi-phase approach. Phase one includes the construction of the fiber network backbone, which runs along the current electrical lines. Phase two expands the network roll-out to different areas and will continue until fiber is deployed to cover the entire KUB electric service territory. When complete, KUB will be able to offer broadband services to its customers, including standard triple play services including Internet, TV, and voice.
Bridging the digital divide with more affordable broadband solutions throughout Knoxville and its surrounding areas is important for local municipalities.
LightSpeed’s mission is to assist customers in achieving solutions for their network. Founded in 2001, the company specializes in providing end-to-end network services and support, including network design and engineering, installation and integration services, project management, ongoing maintenance, and technical support. The LightSpeed team has a successful track record of installing numerous XGS-PON networks since 2015 and has been named Nokia’s top North American Value-Added Reseller five times over the past six years.
For more information about the KUB, visit https://www.kub.org/, for information LightSpeed go to www.lightspeedt.com and for information on Nokia, visit https://www.nokia.com/.
