RST Global Communications (Shelby, NC) recently completed the first phase deployment of its Real Fiber Network, a fiber-optic network that includes backbone, middle and last mile installations. RST says its “core-out”, 100% fiber network is comparable to Google Fiber's in Kansas City, with one significant difference: unlike Google's fiber infrastructure, RST’s Real Fiber Network is installed entirely underground at an average depth of 10 feet, ensuring maximum security, reliability and weather protection.
“While the major cable and telecommunications companies are continuously upgrading their infrastructure, their claim of fiber-optic capabilities is misleading," contends Randy Revels, CTO of RST Global Communications.
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Revels continues, "Often the 'middle' or 'last mile' segments are dramatically slower speed copper or coaxial cable; it’s not end-to-end. The cost to update these outdated legacy systems is astronomical. RST’s advantage is that we are not burdened with an outdated infrastructure and can deliver an all fiber network that’s 100 percent underground, which means maintenance requirements and outages are significantly reduced.”
RST's Real Fiber Network currently serves subscribers North Carolina’s Piedmont region including Charlotte, West Mecklenburg, Gaston, Cleveland and Rutherford counties. The network also provides broadband connectivity to serve booming data center growth taking place in the Piedmont region, including Gardner Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC and Cleveland Community College in Shelby, NC, as well as global technology companies such as AT&T, Wipro, Google, Apple, Facebook, The Walt Disney Company and others.
RST says that expansion of the underground fiber-optic network's footprint has already begun, which will offer FTTP services to thousands of homes and businesses served by the provider's existing routes. Future expansion will include all-fiber installations throughout the I-85 corridor of North Carolina and South Carolina, encompassing more than three million potential customers. The company is also exploring partnerships to launch an LTE wireless service during 2013.
See also: Atlanta school upgrades to fiber -optic network to support BYOD