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 In 1993, CWLP began installing fiber to meet its internal needs for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), load control and other current and future utility functions on a synchronous optical network (SONET) system. By 1996, CWLP was utilizing the fiber network for data and voice communications between our major facilities.

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In 1997, an agreement between CWLP and Springfield School District 186 led to the installation of fiber, providing a 10 Mb Wide Area Network (WAN) service to 21 District 186 facilities. By late 1998, the School District’s need for increased bandwidths coincided with CWLP’s own growing need for higher-speed WAN connections. With the assistance of a federal grant obtained by District 186, CWLP was, in early 2000, able to install an OC-12 Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) network that provides communication speeds in excess of 1 billion bits per second.

The ATM network runs on over 100 miles of previously installed fiber optic cable and is remotely monitored from CWLP’s network management center at the 10th and Miller Dispatch Center. This allows necessary changes to be made in a timely manner, usually without changes to any of the electronic equipment. The network is continually monitored by qualified network management personnel.

CWLP’s network provides multiple paths across the ATM backbone. The system is designed to provide a high level of redundancy, which, in turn, ensures a high level of system reliability. By providing multiple paths, the system can be rerouted around a single point in the event of a failure along one or more of the paths. In addition, critical sites can be dual connected to the network, providing even greater reliability.

The new ATM network far surpasses the current requirements of both CWLP and District 186. In fact, less than 5% of the system’s total capacity is utilized by these parties, which means the excess capabilities of the ATM network offer great potential to CWLP and the city of Springfield. As a result, the utility decided to take advantage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which allowed electric utilities to join the list of companies allowed to provide WAN and related bandwidth services on a commercial basis. The act also enables residential and small commercial customers to obtain competitive telecommunications services that previously had been available only to larger commercial and industrial customers. CWLP holds a Certificate of Authority from the Illinois Commerce Commission, allowing it to serve as a telecommunications provider.

COMMERCIAL CUSTOMER ACCESS TO THE NETWORK

 

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Commercial Customer Access to the Network

While CWLP’s current network is primarily used for voice, data and other utility-specific functions, the system is capable of providing a multitude of additional services. The bandwidth CWLP offers can provide commercial and industrial customers the following capabilities:

- high speed data transfer
- e-commerce
- distance learning and interactive education
- library access
- tele-medicine
- security
- high-speed (1.54 to 10 megabits per second) internet services from a variety of local and regional providers
- leasing of dark fiber

Commercial and industrial customers will benefit from the opportunity to receive these services from a municipal provider known for its high level of service. Customers will also benefit financially as a result of the additional competition CWLP can bring to the telecommunications service marketplace. Lastly, the community as a whole will benefit from the economic development that will be produced by the expansion of CWLP’s existing fiber optics network.

CWLP currently maintains Ethernet nodes at over 80 locations and plans to install several more in the near future. CWLP contracts with multiple educational entities to provide fiber optics-based telecommunications services. As a result, communications between school buildings and headquarters has improved tremendously, as has internet access for students and employees. The high-speed WAN connection has allowed schools to centralize their servers, thus reducing the amount of computer hardware and services required to run their network. Some educators are utilizing the network to implement distance learning and interactive education programs.

 CWLP also has contracted with Sangamon County, the University of Illinois at Springfield, several medical institutions, multiple internet service providers, and numerous other businesses enabling these commercial customers to access the Ethernet and dark fiber network for less than what a private-sector company would charge. Commercial/industrial customers interested in learning more about how they might benefit from access to CWLP's’ fiber optic network should call Greg Wilson at (217) 757-8520, ext. 2121, or contact the CWLP Public Information Office.

Last updated: 01/07/08

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