Georgia Transmission Delivers Cost-effective Internet Backhaul

The discussion below focuses on a case study involving Georgia Transmission and its efforts to provide cost-effective internet backhaul services. David Van Winkle from Georgia Transmission, outlines the rationale behind their initiatives set against the backdrop of increasing demand for high-speed internet services, particularly in rural areas, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. David emphasizes the ongoing necessity for reliable internet access for telemedicine, remote education, and entertainment, highlighting the digital divide.

Need for Rural Internet Services

- There is a significant and growing demand for high-speed internet services in rural communities, which has been recognized post-COVID-19.
- The pandemic has led to a sustained reliance on the internet for various activities, including work-from-home arrangements, education, and telehealth services.
- The speaker reflects on personal experiences from a small town in Iowa, emphasizing the importance of providing high-speed internet to enhance community welfare.
- Several funding initiatives, including FCC programs and state-level initiatives, are being introduced to support broadband expansion efforts.

Backhaul Network Characteristics

- The backbone or backhaul network is crucial for connecting access networks to the internet, and it must be capable of scaling effectively.
- Modern internet demands require backhaul networks to support higher bandwidths, with users needing connections ranging from 100 megabits to 500 megabits.
- The distance over which this connectivity must be provided is also increasing, as more rural users seek internet access.
- Security, reliability, and protection are essential characteristics of the backhaul network to ensure consistent service delivery.

Georgia Transmission's Role

- Georgia Transmission Corporation is a not-for-profit electric membership cooperative that serves 38 of the 41 electric membership cooperatives in Georgia.
- The organization manages a significant infrastructure, including 3,400 miles of transmission lines and 752 substations, providing electricity to about 4 million customers.
- The cooperative has been involved in telecommunications since the late 1980s, gradually upgrading its systems to meet modern demands.
- The decision to build a fiber network was driven by the need for reliable communication during critical situations, such as the ice storm in Atlanta in 2014.

Building the Fiber Network

- The fiber network was built to enhance internal operations and provide broadband access to rural communities, with a focus on reliability and capacity.
- The network design aimed to connect all electric membership cooperatives' headquarters and substations, utilizing existing transmission lines and rights-of-way.
- The installation included approximately 600 route miles of fiber, with some portions being underground and others utilizing existing transmission lines.
- The cooperative also engaged in fiber swaps and leasing arrangements to expand its network reach effectively and economically.

Network Design and Technology

- The network utilizes Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) technology to efficiently manage bandwidth and optimize fiber usage.
- The design accommodates various traffic types by segregating operational and commercial traffic through different wavelengths.
- Georgia Transmission has incorporated advanced monitoring systems, such as Optical Time Domain Reflectometers (OTDR), to maintain network health and reliability.
- The network's capacity has been continually increased to meet growing demands, with plans for future upgrades to ensure scalability.

Operational Benefits and Community Impact

- The fiber network has enabled gigabit bandwidth connections for electric membership cooperatives, significantly improving their internet services.
- This initiative has allowed cooperatives to reduce costs associated with traditional leased lines and improve operational efficiencies.
- The network supports community development by providing high-speed internet access in rural areas, contributing to local economic growth.
- The cooperative's efforts have fostered collaboration among different cooperatives, enhancing operational synergies and shared resources.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

- Reliable telecommunications infrastructure is essential for a dependable electric grid, and Georgia Transmission's network exemplifies this integration.
- The cooperative's approach demonstrates that building a fiber network can be cost-effective when managed strategically and collaboratively.
- The development of rural broadband services is timely, with increasing regulatory support and technological advancements facilitating expansion efforts.
- The future of broadband in rural areas looks promising, with electric utilities well-positioned to play a significant role in delivering these essential services.