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Metro Ethernet to Rural Ethernet?
A company in Augusta, Georgia has put itself on the map; the map to high speed connectivity in the rural marketplace. Advanced Technology Group (News - Alert) (ATG) is dedicated to a strategic vision for broadband opportunities through technical research and development using Broadband Microwave Access (BMA) technology; specifically using technologies from Motorola (News - Alert). ATG has been deploying BMA technologies over the past 10 years in the Central Georgia and Western South Carolina regions. In the last four years, ATG has designed, built and currently operates a BMA network covering over 5,000 square miles to include Burke, McDuffie, Lincoln, Jefferson, Columbia and Richmond Counties in Georgia and in Aiken County, SC. ATG believes that BMA technology is the only way to provide rural areas with the broadband related infrastructure being sought and doing so in the most flexible and cost effective manner. This technology, not to be confused with a mobile wireless technology; is a fixed, secure and private Ethernet connection delivered directly to the premise with speeds ranging from 1Mbps to 300Mbps.
One of the challenges rural communities are facing today is the lack of high speed data communication services in their areas. This lack of adequate data communications infrastructure can constrain growth. Recent Federal studies have demonstrated a direct link between having enough bandwidth available and the ability to grow economically. According to study findings, counties that have adequate bandwidth available grow at over 5% greater rates.
Conversely, traditional data solutions for additional infrastructure are costly to install. Service companies providing bandwidth through fiber or copper infrastructure must have an adequate return on investment to consider deployment at all. Until recently, the broadband communications arena was the exclusive domain of copper and fiber service providers. Communities, anxious to have high-speed data and Internet access are faced with the challenge of first discovering if the service is available in their area, second waiting extended periods for installation and service, where possible, and finally paying the requisite high monthly recurring service fees.
The results of such efforts have been mixed. While some communities have seen extensive deployment of fiber and copper broadband infrastructure, many more still are unable, whether for geographic, economic or financial reasons, to gain access to broadband services. That is until now.
Broadband communications technology has matured to a point where it can now compete on a level playing field as a carrier class service alternative. The arena broadband technology has expanded with many new product offerings that promise greater service choices for today’s enterprises and service providers. These choices offer real opportunity and the shortest distance between the community and high-speed broadband service while providing a more compelling, more affordable and superior performing system than was previously available. The broadband microwave access (BMA) technology platform by Motorola – one of the world’s foremost leaders in microwave technology – is providing that promise for service providers worldwide.
BMA technologies is the result of an extensive effort to develop a low-cost, simple to deploy, high-speed access enterprise network using license free spectrum. ATG is using this technology to deliver broadband service to local business customers, county government, medical and educational institutions while improving the utilization of their existing networks. The BMA technology also allows ATG to provide high-speed broadband service on a widespread basis without significant infrastructure and time investment. It is also complementary to established telecommunications infrastructure and broadband network systems such as providing truly diverse back up services to traditional copper or fiber services.
ATG has made a considerable investment in evaluating a number of BMA technologies that are currently available. Numerous products are available in the microwave broadband access platform space. Unfortunately, many of these products have been modified from their original use to fill market needs and have delivered very disappointing results to service providers who incorporated them into their network hoping to solve their requirements for microwave broadband access. ATG has found that BMA’s speed of deployment enables us to deploy infrastructure and add customers at a much faster rate than was previously possible. ATG continues to aggressively pursue superior and cost-effective technologies for providing customers with high-speed communication.
ATG is also a high-end wide area networking (WAN) solution provider. ATG specializes in microwave WAN and broadband microwave access solutions for inter-networking and intra-networking requirements. Our company was founded in 1989 to assist clients in realizing the full value of their information technology investments. ATG has a highly trained and experienced staff of Network Engineers and Consultants to assist our clients by understanding their requirements and knowing emerging technologies. ATG designs, specifies and installs information technology solutions – including IP telephony – for clients in healthcare, finance, manufacturing, education and government – municipal, state and federal.
ATG is a certified GMSDC MBE company located in downtown Augusta (News - Alert), Georgia. Our team of certified system engineers delivers high-performance, reliable and effective inter- and intra-networking solutions. Taking advantage of leading practices and methodologies, ATG provides professional technology services and proven Local and Wide Area Networking business solutions such as:
• Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) – SIP, Hosted, PRI
• Microwave (Broadband Microwave Access)
• True Redundancy
• Security
• Remote Access and VPN design
• Disaster Prevention and Recovery
• Employee Internet Management
• Communication Tower Services – Cellular or Broadcast
• LAN / WAN Design and Implementation
ATG understands secure network architecture and the management of mission-critical data and tailor our recommendations to provide resilient solutions that offer the highest return on investment (ROI). As a strategic value-driven partner offering customized services, ATG is in a strong position to expand and enhance our current and targeted vertical client base (K-12, Higher Ed, Finance, Government, and Healthcare).
ATG constantly scans the horizon for technologies that can enable our clients’ businesses and help them achieve their strategic goals. ATG has built solid concepts and delivery methods in which to address the changing needs of the market. As a “client focused” partner, ATG has concentrated on bringing smart cost-cutting products and services to the table for its clients, helping them cut short- and long- term costs while positioning them for more effective market penetration when the economy turns upward.
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