ProTek Fiber expands full-fiber connectivity in rural Illinois with Adtran

Rhea-AI Summary

ProTek Fiber has partnered with Adtran to expand full-fiber internet connectivity to underserved areas in Illinois, transitioning from a wireless internet service provider to fiber optic technology. The deployment aims to connect 10,000 homes across five counties: Williamson, Jackson, Franklin, Johnson, and Union.

The implementation includes Adtran's SDX 6000 Series Combo PON OLTs, SDX 630 Series ONTs, and SDG 8700 Series Wi-Fi 7 devices. The solution features Mosaic One SaaS platform for network management and ALM fiber monitoring with deep PON assurance for real-time fault detection. This technology enables ProTek Fiber to efficiently expand its network while maintaining high service quality and minimizing maintenance costs.

The expansion is expected to boost economic activity in the region and enable remote work, education, and telemedicine access for thousands of residents who previously had or no broadband connectivity.

Positive

• Expansion to serve 10,000 new homes in underserved markets
• Implementation of advanced fiber monitoring technology reducing maintenance costs
• Deployment of Wi-Fi 7 technology ensuring superior connectivity
• Real-time network monitoring capabilities improving service quality

Negative

• None.

Insights

Market Research Analyst

The ProTek Fiber deployment represents a strategic expansion of ADTN's market presence in the rural broadband sector. The deal to connect 10,000 homes across five Illinois counties demonstrates ADTN's ability to secure meaningful contracts in the growing rural fiber market. The implementation of their full suite of products - from OLTs and ONTs to Wi-Fi 7 devices and monitoring solutions - showcases strong product integration capabilities and potential for recurring revenue through SaaS offerings like Mosaic One.

This deployment aligns with the ongoing federal funding initiatives for rural broadband, positioning ADTN to capitalize on infrastructure spending. The successful transition of ProTek from wireless to fiber services using ADTN's technology could serve as a blueprint for other WISPs looking to upgrade their networks, potentially leading to additional contract opportunities.

Telecommunications Expert

From a technical perspective, ADTN's deployment demonstrates significant technological advantages. The combination of Combo PON OLTs with deep PON assurance capabilities provides a compelling value proposition for rural ISPs. The ALM fiber monitoring platform with real-time fault detection represents a key differentiator, particularly valuable in rural deployments where maintenance costs are typically higher due to geographic dispersion.

The inclusion of Wi-Fi 7 devices and comprehensive network management tools through Mosaic One creates an end-to-end solution that addresses both infrastructure and service management needs. This integrated approach should help reduce operational complexity and maintenance costs for ProTek Fiber, while the SaaS component provides ADTN with predictable recurring revenue streams.

News summary:

• Service provider required flexible technology to deliver fast, reliable broadband to 10,000 homes in underserved and unserved areas
• Adtran’s disaggregated fiber access platform scales rapidly, enabling ProTek Fiber to bring full-fiber internet to communities in five counties
• Deployment includes Adtran’s ALM with deep PON assurance for fast, efficient fiber fault localization and resolution across the FTTX network

MARION, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Adtran today announced that ProTek Fiber is harnessing its flexible fiber access technology, including its Mosaic One SaaS and ALM fiber monitoring solution with deep PON assurance, to deliver full-fiber internet to underserved areas in Illinois. The deployment marks ProTek Fiber’s transition to fiber optic technology, having previously operated as a leading wireless internet service provider (WISP). Using Adtran’s AI-driven disaggregated solution, ProTek Fiber has begun offering high-quality broadband to residential subscribers. The expansion of the network enables thousands of people to work and study from home and access services such as telemedicine. The deployment is also expected to boost economic activity across the region.

Adtran’s fiber access technology is helping ProTek Fiber deliver high-speed broadband to long-underserved regions. (Photo: Business Wire)

“Adtran’s Mosaic One and scalable fiber access hardware enables us to rapidly and cost-effectively expand our network to bring fast, high-quality broadband into long-underserved areas. Together, we’re closing the digital divide across a diverse range of rural communities in Williamson, Jackson, Franklin, Johnson and Union counties,” said Cameron McCurdy, CEO of ProTek Fiber. “We were also able to deploy Adtran’s ALM fiber monitoring platform with unique deep PON assurance technology to monitor the health of our network in real-time. With ALM, we get instant, detailed alerts that provide early warnings about impending fiber issues. This enables us to manage our resources more effectively and ensures subscribers will always receive the best possible online experience.”

Adtran’s SDX 6000 Series Combo PON OLTs facilitate the efficient expansion of ProTek Fiber’s network, while its SDX 630 Series ONTs deliver full-fiber connectivity directly into residences. ProTek Fiber is also leveraging Adtran’s SDGs, including SDG 8700 Series Wi-Fi 7 devices, to ensure reliable wireless coverage throughout the home. Through Adtran’s Mosaic One, ProTek Fiber gains actionable insights from a unified interface, simplifying network management and optimization. Additionally, Mosaic One Marketing Center enables ProTek Fiber to develop targeted marketing campaigns that increase revenue. The deployment also features Adtran’s ALM platform with deep PON assurance, enabling real-time, in-service fault detection and precise localization within the PON infrastructure – even behind splitters and without the need for demarcation reflectors. This boosts service quality, minimizes truck rolls and maximizes uptime across rural areas.

“With our Mosaic One platform, modular fiber access hardware, and ALM with deep PON assurance, ProTek Fiber can rapidly expand its network, bringing thousands of people in rural Southern Illinois into the Gigabit age. Our technology also empowers ProTek Fiber to seamlessly and cost-effectively scale capacity to meet rising data demand,” commented Jeremy Harris, VP of North America service provider sales at Adtran. “With the deployment of this intelligence-driven full-fiber network, many people have quickly gone from having poor or even no broadband access to receiving world-class connectivity. Expanding the availability of full-fiber internet in rural regions always has a transformative impact on communities. We’re proud to have played our part in this important project and look forward to further collaborations with ProTek Fiber.”

About Adtran

ADTRAN Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADTN and FSE: QH9) is the parent company of Adtran, Inc., a leading global provider of open, disaggregated networking and communications solutions that enable voice, data, video and internet communications across any network infrastructure. From the cloud edge to the subscriber edge, Adtran empowers communications service providers around the world to manage and scale services that connect people, places and things. Adtran solutions are used by service providers, private enterprises, government organizations and millions of individual users worldwide. ADTRAN Holdings, Inc. is also the largest shareholder of Adtran Networks SE, formerly ADVA Optical Networking SE. Find more at Adtran, LinkedIn and X.

About ProTek

Protek Fiber was founded to provide broadband to Unserved and Underserved customers in Southern Illinois. In 2023 Protek Internet became ProTek Fiber. The original management team has grown Protek Fiber to be one of the leading, locally owned, and operated internet/IT service providers in Illinois. Protek Fiber’s rapidly expanding footprint is providing Broadband, paired with excellent customer service to Marion/Carbondale, and surrounding rural Southern Illinois area. www.protekweb.com

Published by 
ADTRAN Holdings, Inc. 
www.adtran.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250108386418/en/

For media

Gareth Spence

+44 1904 699 358

public.relations@adtran.com

For investors

Peter Schuman

+1 256 963 6305

investor.relations@adtran.com

Source: Adtran

FAQ

How many homes will ProTek Fiber connect using ADTN technology in Illinois?

ProTek Fiber will connect 10,000 homes across five Illinois counties using Adtran's fiber access technology.

Which counties in Illinois are part of ProTek Fiber's ADTN-powered expansion?

The expansion covers Williamson, Jackson, Franklin, Johnson, and Union counties in Illinois.

What technology is ADTN providing to ProTek Fiber for network monitoring?

Adtran is providing its ALM fiber monitoring solution with deep PON assurance for real-time network monitoring and fault detection.

What specific hardware is ADTN deploying in the ProTek Fiber project?

Adtran is deploying SDX 6000 Series Combo PON OLTs, SDX 630 Series ONTs, and SDG 8700 Series Wi-Fi 7 devices.

How does ADTN's Mosaic One platform benefit ProTek Fiber's operations?

Mosaic One provides ProTek Fiber with unified network management, optimization capabilities, and marketing tools to increase revenue through targeted campaigns.