ATX Networks says it is supporting Access Communications’ HFC plant upgrade. The Saskatchewan co-op is deploying the GigaXtend GMC 1.2-GHz HFC amplifiers to increase its downstream and upstream capacity to better address the needs of the 235 communities in rural areas of the Canadian province.
The co-op is upgrading its installed base of GainMaker amplifiers with the GigaXtend GMC, which offers backwards compatibility with Access Communications’ installed base. In particular, the new amplifiers will enable Access Communications to follow a mid-split strategy to allocate additional capacity to the upstream. They also prepare the network for future upgrades to 1.8 GHz and DOCSIS 4.0, ATX Networks says.
Access Communications’ service area stretches across 200,000 square km of rural Saskatchewan. “A not-for-profit co-operative, Access Communications is committed to enriching the broadband experience of our communities,” commented Craig Van Ham, CTO at Access Communications. “Partnering with ATX allows us to significantly expand the upstream capacity of our network, meeting the increased vocational and entertainment requirements of our customers, through a near seamless upgrade of our installed base of legacy amplifiers.”
“Access Communications’ mission to improve the quality of life for the communities it serves and helping its customers through high-performance and affordable broadband is in lockstep with ATX’s own corporate mission,” said ATX’s Chief Sales Officer, Jeff Liening. “We couldn’t be more pleased to offer our customers a friction-free upgrade path that will enable them to meet the needs of their subscribers for decades to come.”
ATX is working closely with its stocking distribution partner Digicomm International to ensure it meets the deployment schedule (see "ATX, Digicomm team to distribute MSO outside plant equipment").
