CHICAGO, Oct. 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — ExteNet Systems, a leading provider of Distributed Network Systems (DNS) enabling advanced cellular, wireless and broadband connectivity across urban and rural America, today announced a partnership with Illinois Valley Cellular to enable 4G LTE broadband connectivity for north central Illinois. Operating as a regional cellular service provider, Illinois Valley Cellular currently covers more than 250,000 people across eight counties in Illinois including LaSalle, Bureau, Putnam, Marshall, Stark, Livingston, Stark, Ford and Iroquois.
ExteNet has adopted a radio access network (RAN) vendor neutral approach to developing its distributed evolved packet core (EPC), thereby providing the customer the flexibility to choose its preferred RAN vendor. ExteNet also offers a turnkey EPC and RAN offering to address cases where the customer prefers a comprehensive ExteNet end-to-end solution. ExteNet’s EPC deployment will provide Illinois Valley Cellular the ability to deliver enhanced LTE-based services to its customers.
“While LTE is increasingly common in urban areas, rural communities have a noticeable divide in their advanced cellular service offerings,” said Jason Osborne, Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Initiatives for ExteNet Systems. “Illinois Valley Cellular was challenged to provide advanced wireless connectivity to its customers under an affordable economic model with legacy network architectures. ExteNet’s EPC solution will provide Illinois Valley Cellular the flexibility to use any RAN platform to deploy LTE and other next-generation wireless services in a cost-effective manner.”
“As part of the updated network architecture, ExteNet proposed a localized packet core as a replacement to our hosted core approach, which we believe will prove to be economically viable for us,” said Robert Kaminski, Director of Product Development for Illinois Valley Cellular. “ExteNet’s localized core solution greatly reduces the backhaul costs, while also improving latency by up to 75 percent, and provides a clear path to 4G LTE connectivity for our communities. Looking ahead, we will also be able to support mobile roaming services for Tier 1 providers on this same infrastructure while being 5G ready as demand dictates.”
Learn more about ExteNet’s partnership with Illinois Valley Cellular at the Competitive Carrier Association (CCA) Annual Convention, which will take place October 25-27 at the Ft. Worth Convention Center. ExteNet representatives will be available for discussions pertaining to its distributed EPC deployments and innovative LTE solutions at Nokia’s booth (#623) during the convention.
