Telecommunications

The Open Access Telecom Network (OATN), completed in 2003, is a carrier-class telecommunications network serving Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties, connecting our region to carrier collocation facilities in Syracuse. The OATN is comprised of approximately 750 miles of fiber optic cable, and 14 Central Offices (CO's), which contain the electronic and optical equipment that power the network.

The Telecom Division, together with ION, applied for and received an ARRA Grant as part of the Broadband Stimulus Program.  This grant provides redundancy for the existing customer base by allowing the Authority to build a diverse ring from Lowville to Utica and back to Syracuse.  It also allows the Authority to extend the existing network to Franklin, Clinton and Essex Counties.  When complete, the open access telecom network will consist of over 1,000 miles of fiber network and will include 19 Central Office locations. 

Working in partnership with telecommunications carriers serving Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties, the OATN will help power the economic future of the North Country by:

• Helping local businesses and institutions become more competitive and grow.
• Creating job opportunities.
• Attracting telecommunications intensive businesses like back office support, publishers, hi-tech industries, or logistic services looking to relocate or expand.
• Creating advanced networks for education, health care and government.
• Investing in economic development initiatives.

Network Location

The reliable service and carrier class redundancy that businesses and organizations depend on is facilitated by fourteen Central Offices (CO's) located throughout the OATN.

The CO's allow service providers to connect with local customers and with services from outside of the region. The CO's, located in Alexandria Bay, Canton, Fort Drum, Gouverneur, Lowville, Massena, Ogdensburg, Potsdam, Pulaski, Rodman, Russell, Star Lake, Syracuse, and Watertown, are equipped to support any type of service provider. They are designed with the flexibility to interface with traditional and advanced service offerings.

System Characteristics

The OATN provides carriers the security and diversity that an alternate network can deliver. The OATN offers:

• Carrier Class network reliability
• Service offerings that include TDM, Ethernet and wavelength services
• Around the clock network monitoring and support
• Redundant connectivity for greater security
• Point-to-point, or ring, configurations
• Fast provisioning times
• Scaleable network design to accomodate rapid growth and new service offerings as required.

The OATN is monitored by a comprehensive provisioning and monitoring system based on several tools including Ethernet Network Management System, Ethernet Switch manager, and others. This allows OATN engineers to take immediate action if service is affected.

Downloads

• OATN Technical Overview [PDF]