Free Space Optics and RAD's IPmux Provide Life-line to Clients in Disaster Recovery Efforts

Among the myriad problems that beset companies in lower Manhattan following the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center was the extensive damage suffered by the communications infrastructure, including underground fiber optic cables. Many companies were left without voice, data and Internet services that are vital for their continued operation.

The Rockefeller Group is a private corporation dedicated to excellence in commercial real estate that develops and manages high quality real estate for leading organizations. It has engaged in some of America's most significant real estate endeavors, including the development of Rockefeller Center, the world's finest urban business and entertainment complex. Rockefeller Group Telecommunications Services, Inc. (RGTS), the telecommunications arm of the Rockefeller Group, provides total voice and data solutions to tenants in commercial office buildings, geared to each client's specific needs. In the wake of the September 11 tragedy, RGTS worked around the clock to restore emergency communications services to clients, especially those forced to relocate.

One of RGTS's clients was forced to increase the number of employees in a building from 300 to 800. This caused serious infrastructure problems because their existing voice lines could not handle the additional load. Employees were not able to work because their phones were getting fast-busy signals. RGTS resolved the problem by deploying free-space optics to connect that building with one of its other facilities using line-of-site lasers. RGTS then installed RAD's IPmux-4 TDMoIP gateways on either side of the laser connection to deliver traditional T1 circuits across the Ethernet/laser transport.

 

TDMoIP gateways deliver traditional TDM-based voice and signaling protocols required by the PBX. "The TDMoIP solution lets us provision services overnight, without the need for costly upgrades to the existing equipment," says Chris Abrams, consulting engineer at RGTS. "Our clients don't notice any difference between these and other T1 circuits. They're pretty ecstatic, actually," affirms Abrams.

RGTS has also been approached regarding RAD's TDMoIP solution by IP broadband providers that currently offer high speed Ethernet services with varying service level guarantees. "TDMoIP is a great solution for them because they can use their existing infrastructure to deliver new, revenue-generating voice and T1 services. With TDMoIP, RGTS can extend voice services from the traditional voice switches to the customers' PBXs without the expense and complexity of upgrading to VoIP or leasing costly T1 lines," states Abrams.

RAD has recently developed the IPmux-8, a more robust version of the IPmux-4.