Partnership with City of Ammon Supports Software Defined Network Initiative to Deliver Open-Access Broadband Services to Residents
Omaha, Neb., August 30, 2016 – eX² Technology (eX²) announces today a partnership with the City of Ammon, Idaho to support the town’s development into one of the nation’s true open access connected cities. In addition to providing Ammon with integral services ranging from procurement support to physical design for the installation of critical infrastructure, eX² will support the deployment of a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network utilizing Software Defined Networking (SDN) technology to deliver vastly higher bandwidth to the community, facilitating internet services from numerous providers, and other services. Through the development of Ammon’s city-owned network, designed to provide residents and business with significantly greater choice in broadband service providers, the town has become a premier model for the nation’s next generation of open-access networks.
With the help of eX², a leader in intelligent infrastructure, Ammon’s plan for empowering its community members with greater choice and flexibility in broadband service providers has proven cost-effective, while spurring economic growth and increasing property value. Ammon was one of the first cities in the United States to make the move to utilize Local Improvement Districts (LIDs) and a scalable funding model to develop a city-owned network to facilitate broadband-based public services and privately provided internet services, which led to the town being awarded the 2016 Community Broadband Project of the Year from the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA). The network allows Ammon’s nearly 15,000 residents the choice of opting in or out of the network, as well as instantly selecting and changing internet providers using a specially designed, innovative portal. As a result, service providers are influenced to constantly improve service, allowing for and encouraging market competition.
“We are more than pleased with our partnership with eX² to design and document our fiber optic infrastructure,” said Bruce Patterson, Technology Director, City of Ammon. “They have proven to have the expertise we need, by quickly and efficiently delivering on work orders while still being sensitive to project budget constraints. It is a true ‘win-win’ relationship when partners remain focused on each other’s success and we feel we have that with eX².”
eX², which specializes in the finance, design, installation and maintenance of robust broadband, critical infrastructure and intelligent transportation systems, will assist Ammon with several significant aspects of the town’s technological development. eX² will provide procurement support, network documentation, and engage local contractors, as well as support all of Ammons’ pre-construction preparation and design activities. With deep knowledge and expertise in the smart-city movement, eX² will work closely with the Ammon Fiber Optic Department to help with the design and implementation of its infrastructure expansion. eX² will advise Ammon of the necessary tools and products, as well as the best locations to place fiber cables through neighborhoods, ultimately bringing fiber to Ammon homes.
“The results of the collaboration between Ammon and eX² will demonstrate to other similarly sized communities the significant benefits of a municipally owned network,” said Kyle Hildebrand, Vice President of Project Development, eX² Technology. “The coming generation of smart fiber connected cities across the United States will not only feature more choices for faster and more cost-effective broadband services, but the communities utilizing intelligent infrastructures will enjoy increased property values, prosperous businesses, improved public services, greater public safety and general economic growth. eX² is thrilled to lend its expertise to an innovative small-town community that is leading the way in fiber optic networks.”