[1st-mile-nm] WNMC upgrades rural broadband infrastructure and services

[Richard Lowenberg]

 Aviat Networks Helps WNM Communications Bring Faster, More Reliable 
 Broadband and Phone Service to Rural New Mexico

 http://www.sacbee.com/2011/12/05/4100578/aviat-networks-helps-wnm-communications.html

 Published Monday, Dec. 05, 2011

 SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 5, 2011 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Aviat Networks, 
 Inc. (NASDAQ: AVNW), a leading expert in wireless transmission 
 solutions, today announced that it helped WNM Communications (WNMC) 
 provide its rural New Mexico customers with additional redundancy for 
 lifeline services and further capacity for faster, more reliable 
 Internet access and phone service. WNMC provides telecommunications 
 services to more than 6,000 business and residential customers across 
 15,000 square miles in southwestern New Mexico.

 Upgrading WNMC's existing infrastructure and expanding the capacity of 
 its backbone posed a number of challenges. First, the changes could not 
 disrupt current customers' services—even for a few hours. Second, WNMC's 
 extensive network of buried cable, fiber optic trunks and microwave 
 crisscrossed thousands of square miles of very rugged and sparsely 
 populated territory. Finally, WNMC was on a tight timeline, as it sought 
 to complete the network upgrade before the company's fiscal year-end.

 "We needed more than just an equipment vendor," said Steve George, 
 Director of Operations, WNM Communications. "We needed a solutions 
 provider that would sit down with us and co-develop the best network 
 design. We also needed them to meet our traditional telecommunications 
 requirements, as well as support our Ethernet migration plans, including 
 expanding Internet access to new customers in remote areas, and enabling 
 Voice over Internet (VoIP) capabilities. And, they had to deliver 
 quickly and provide ongoing tech support. The Aviat Networks team met 
 all of our requirements and more."

 To address all the complexities of the project, Aviat Networks proposed 
 a phased approach to upgrading WNMC's backbone network. The first phase 
 included the installation of Aviat Networks' Eclipse microwave platform 
 with indoor IRU600 RF unit to expand the capacity of the backbone and 
 support advanced Ethernet functionality. A key benefit of the IRU600 
 radio is that it supports WNMC's legacy DS1/DS3 network as well as 
 Ethernet on the same telecommunications link. That means WNMC can 
 continue to leverage its existing network while transitioning to IP 
 backhaul at a pace that makes sense.

 In the second phase, Aviat Networks engineers conducted site surveys to 
 ensure the network design was optimal. Next, spurs were extended and 
 expanded off the network backbone to provide enhanced service to WNMC 
 customers in underserved and remote areas. Accomplishing this required 
 the installation of more than a dozen microwave hops, each of which 
 provided mixed mode (TDM and Ethernet) capability. To ensure WNMC's 
 network experienced no disruptions, Aviat Networks engineers were onsite 
 during each of the site cutovers.

 The network was also designed to accommodate future growth. For 
 instance, when additional Ethernet capacity is required, WNMC can 
 allocate bandwidth directly from their operations offices using Aviat 
 Networks' ProVision™ remote provisioning software.

 "Helping WNM Communications upgrade its broadband network was a true 
 partnership," said Travis Mitchell, Carrier Sales Manager, Aviat 
 Networks. "We and WNMC thought out the upgrade complexities, resulting 
 in the perfect solution for reliable lifeline services and enhanced 
 capacity for faster and more reliable Internet access. With this 
 upgrade, WNMC will be able to provide customers with the latest 
 communications products and services for years to come."

 About Aviat Networks

 Aviat Networks, Inc. is a leader in wireless transmission solutions. We 
 apply innovation and IP networking expertise toward building a carrier 
 class foundation for future mobile and fixed broadband networks. With 
 more than 750,000 systems installed around the world, Aviat Networks has 
 built a reputation as a leader in offering best-of-breed solutions 
 including LTE-ready microwave backhaul and a complete portfolio of 
 service and support options to public and private telecommunications 
 operators worldwide. With a global reach and local presence in more than 
 46 countries, Aviat Networks works by the side of its customers allowing 
 them to quickly and cost effectively seize new market and service 
 opportunities. Aviat Networks, formerly Harris Stratex Networks Inc., is 
 headquartered in Santa Clara, California and is listed on NASDAQ (AVNW). 
 For more information, please visit www.aviatnetworks.com  or join the 
 dialogue at www.twitter.com/aviatnetworks .

 About WNM Communications

 WNM Communications (WNMC) is telecommunications company providing 
 telephone service and high-speed Internet access to customers in rural 
 southwestern New Mexico. Originally known as the Mogollon Mountain 
 Telephone Company, WNMC has grown from less than 600 customers in 1974 
 to more than 6,000 businesses and residents, and its service area now 
 covers more than 15,000 square miles. WNM Communications is 
 headquartered in Silver City, NM. For more information, please visit: 
 http://wnmc.com/

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 Note:  WNMC now offers up to 1.5Mbps DSL service for $62.95/mo. 
 residential and $72.95/mo. business, in the following locations: Alma, 
 Cliff/Gila, Datil, Glenwood, Lake Roberts, Lordsburg, Magdalena, 
 Mimbres, Pie Town, Pleasanton, Quemado and Reserve; and $40 residential 
 and business, in Silver City.

 RL


-- 
 Richard Lowenberg
 1st-Mile Institute
 Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504
 505-989-9110 / 505-603-5200
 www.1st-mile.com
 rl at 1st-mile.com