Ketchikan stepped up to provide an essential link to the outside world for its community. Since 1999, KPU Telecom has undergone profound transformations. What began with multi-party telephone lines has evolved dramatically, as the company moved from a basic copper network to a cutting-edge, IP-focused digital infrastructure. In the early 2000s, recognizing the industry’s shift, KPU rapidly launched dial-up and then DSL services over its copper lines. “And it wasn’t too much later, probably in the 20022003 time frame, where we moved forward with a full triple play service. So, that was video, voice, and data (internet),” says Telephone Division Manager Dan Lindren. This move, which happened over an IP-focused network, was ahead of its time, particularly for voice switching, and presented considerable challenges for both technology integration and staff training as KPU transitioned from traditional telephone systems to new IP platforms. Shortly after, the limitations of the copper network, particularly for video services, quickly became apparent. By 2008-2009, KPU Telecom innovated with a unique fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) offering and hosted PBX services with softphones.. Instead of immediately connecting every home, they ran fiber infrastructure up and down all streets in Ketchikan and the borough, and customers were then converted from copper to fiber. “And that actually played out very well. I would say we’re a little bit ahead of the curve regarding offering fiber services.And we had our reasons; we were one of the companies that were offering video play, and it was simply a matter of us realizing that you can’t reasonably offer a great service in a copper-type environment,” Lindren explains. Further expanding its services, in 2013, KPU ventured into the wireless business through a partnership with Verizon’s LTE in Rural America (LRA) program. 152 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 09
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