Frontier Communications Announces 2012 Network Enhancements, Capital Investments in New York
Frontier Communications Announces 2012 Network Enhancements, Capital Investments in New York
ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Frontier Communications (NAS: FTR) recently announced that 2012 network enhancements and capital investments for its operations in New York totaled more than $123.6 million. Frontier offers broadband, digital phone service, satellite television service, Frontier satellite broadband, FTR Energy Services, customer premises equipment (telephone systems, support for commercial businesses and e-911 applications), Ethernet, Dedicated Internet Access, data center services, and web security/data back-up through the Frontier Secure suite of services.
"In 2012, we targeted significant capital investments to upgrade our network technology throughout New York," said Kevin Smith, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Frontier's New York operations. "We aggressively deployed new equipment and augmented devices with our customers at the center of our decisions. We completed infrastructure improvements to our existing facilities to provide faster broadband speeds at better prices."
Based on recent network enhancements, Frontier residential customers can consider different speed options for household broadband usage: Broadband Ultra, with speeds starting at up to 12 Mbps, for online gaming, downloading tunes and watching movies, with speed to spare; and Broadband Ultimate, with speeds up to 25 Mbps, allowing the entire family to play the games in real time, watch HD movies, and send large files in seconds.
"We are able to deliver these products thanks to the installation of IP-based DSLAMs, Bonded ADSL2+ (asymmetric digital subscriber line) and VDSL (very high speed digital subscriber lines). These equipment upgrades impacted 155 of Frontier's 194 switching offices and 214 remote DSLAM/switches in our New York markets. As a result, by year-end 2012 we were able to offer faster speeds to essentially 403,000 New York households," said Smith.
Smith noted that interoffice data transport networks within the Rochester and Chenango markets are currently being upgraded to 10 Gig Ethernet Ring Protection Switching (ERPS) topology. He said that this new network will support current and future data services to Frontier's customers and increase bandwidth.
For business customers, the company's capital expenditures focused on increasing the availability of advanced high-capacity services such as Metro-Ethernet, providing speeds of 1 Gbps or higher. Frontier's network also delivers Dedicated Internet Access, an IP-VPN service that rides over an MPLS network, and point-to-point services. "Businesses sectors such as healthcare, education, banking and manufacturing are looking for solutions that differentiate them from their competitors. Frontier specializes in designing converged networks that enable businesses to use a single network to carry voice, video and data services and which may allow them to disconnect other networks and reduce costs," added Smith.
In Rochester, Frontier invested significant funding for IT software upgrades and engineering projects that benefit the entire company and 27-state customer base. "Frontier has a significant presence in the Rochester market, with many of our corporate functions operating from our Clinton Avenue facility," stated Smith. "For example, Frontier's Internet Help Desk, Payroll, Training, Operator Services, Network Operations Center and Engineering are headquartered in Rochester and serve employees and customers throughout New York and also throughout Frontier's coast-to-coast territories. Rochester is a critical center within Frontier's operations."
For Upstate New York, Smith said that a New York State Broadband grant was awarded to Frontier and Hamilton County to upgrade the data transport backbone between Gloversville and Eagle Bay. "Upon completion of the project, central offices and remote switches along this route will benefit through accessing this enhanced network, resulting in Frontier's ability to deliver speeds up to 25 Mbps to 54% of the households in Hamilton County," said Smith.
Smith commented on the company's philosophy, noting "Frontier's core values are to put the customer first and to be locally engaged in the communities we serve. Each of our New York market areas is led by a General Manager responsible for the overall customer experience. All Frontier services are installed and maintained by the company's 100% U.S.-based work force, and more than 2,320 employees serve customers throughout New York. We're proud of our commitment to the Empire State and very excited to highlight the benefits of recent network enhancements and capital investments."
About Frontier Communications
Frontier Communications Corporation (NAS: FTR) is an S&P 500 company and is included in the FORTUNE 500 list of America's largest corporations. Frontier offers broadband, voice, satellite video, wireless Internet data access, entertainment services like TumTiki.com, data security solutions, bundled offerings and specialized bundles for residential customers, small businesses and home offices and advanced business communications for medium and large businesses in 27 states. Frontier's approximately 14,700 employees are based entirely in the United States. More information is available at www.frontier.com.
Frontier Communications Corporation
Kevin Smith, 518-773-3737
SVP/GM
Kevin.Smith3@ftr.com
or
Patricia Amendola, 570-631-6013
Communications Manager
Patricia.Amendola@ftr.com
KEYWORDS: United States North America New York
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