MINNEAPOLIS Fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) market leader Optical Solutions Inc. and Texas-based competitive carrier NTS Communications are continuing expansion of fiber-fed voice, video and data services in communities near Lubbock, pop. 240,000. Last month, NTS turned up FTTP services to several new subdivisions in Wolfforth, culminating a yearlong construction project in which more than 4,000 homes and lots were passed with fiber.

One of the largest privately owned long distance companies in the nation, NTS was founded in 1981 as a West Texas reseller of long distance services. The company now serves retail customers in six states, including Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona.

For its aggressive FTTP expansion, NTS selected Optical Solutions’ FiberPath(R), a complete equipment and networking solution that delivers multiple broadband communication and video services directly to homes and businesses, without any active electronics in the field. NTS will also deploy a Minerva(R) video solution in conjunction with FiberPath to give customers the latest in home entertainment, including state-of-the-art IPTV.

«Optical Solutions’ passive optical network and electronics are time-tested and proven in the field,» said Mitch Elliot, vice president of business development at NTS. «FiberPath gives us a competitive edge in the communities we enter as well as economics that allow near-term cost recovery and long-term revenue generation.»

Over the next five years, NTS will overbuild portions of southern, southwestern and possibly northwestern Lubbock with FTTP, passing as many as 40,000 homes and businesses.

«We are pleased to be part of NTS’ vision to aggressively deploy FTTP,» said Mike Dagenais, Optical Solutions president and CEO. «Direct-fiber connections improve quality of life and economic development, and Lubbock customers will experience both with the added care and service that only a hometown company can provide.»