University of Tennessee Upgrades Outdoor Wireless, Security Networks with CommScope Powered Fiber Cable System

When students returned to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, this Fall, they had better wireless service and were more secure thanks in part to CommScope. (Photo: Business Wire)

HICKORY, N.C.--()--When students returned to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, this Fall, they had better wireless service and were more secure thanks in part to CommScope.

The university’s Office of Information Technology is utilizing CommScope’s Powered Fiber Cable System to deploy more outdoor wireless access points and security cameras across the campus. The unique capabilities of the Powered Fiber Cable System are making the deployment quicker and more cost-effective, eliminating the need to run additional power lines.

“We completed a joint trial of the Powered Fiber Cable System with CommScope to validate its ability to deliver data and power over Ethernet across long distances,” said Ben Rayfield, IT technology specialist, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. “After the trial, we felt comfortable in using CommScope’s cabling solution to upgrade our outdoor network for the needs of our students today and in the future.”

IT professionals at major universities are challenged to keep pace with the network connectivity needs of students while addressing security concerns. According to recent CommScope research, more than three quarters (77%) of Millennials – people born between 1980 and 2000 – agreed or strongly agreed that they expect to be able to stream video wherever they are. Heightened security concerns on college campuses among other locations are driving growth in the surveillance camera industry, with 66 million network cameras expected to ship in 2016.

The Powered Fiber Cable System helps add connectivity and security with its unique ability to deliver power over Ethernet (PoE) at distances of 30 times traditional PoE systems. That powering capability makes it possible for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to discretely install access points and cameras across campus without having to run new power lines. The IT department can deploy the network without electricians, using a centralized architecture that is concealable in lampposts and existing street works. The result is better Wi-Fi access outdoors and better security capabilities, at less cost and in a quicker timeframe.

The Powered Fiber Cable System is comprised of two main components—hybrid copper/fiber cable and the PoE Extender, an environmentally sealed closure with one PoE+ output. It also includes cable/fiber management, power transmission management, safety and overload protection as well as a universal power supply (PSU). Customers can use the PoE Distance and Voltage Calculator to determine the maximum distance and correct input voltages.

“Delivering power and backhaul are two of the major roadblocks for any technology deployment outdoors, and can add significant time and costs to projects,” said David Redfern, senior vice president, CommScope Connectivity Solutions. “Our Powered Fiber Cable System is ideally suited to solve these problems on campus environments using technology that is very familiar to IT professionals.”

About CommScope:

CommScope (NASDAQ: COMM) helps companies around the world design, build and manage their wired and wireless networks. Our vast portfolio of network infrastructure includes some of the world’s most robust and innovative wireless and fiber optic solutions. Our talented and experienced global team is driven to help customers increase bandwidth; maximize existing capacity; improve network performance and availability; increase energy efficiency; and simplify technology migration. You will find our solutions in the largest buildings, venues and outdoor spaces; in data centers and buildings of all shapes, sizes and complexity; at wireless cell sites; in telecom central offices and cable headends; in FTTx deployments; and in airports, trains, and tunnels. Vital networks around the world run on CommScope solutions.

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This press release includes forward-looking statements that are based on information currently available to management, management’s beliefs, as well as on a number of assumptions concerning future events. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results to differ materially from those currently expected. In providing forward-looking statements, the company does not intend, and is not undertaking any obligation or duty, to update these statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Source: CommScope

Contacts

News Media Contact:
Bill Walter, CommScope
+1 708-236-6634 or publicrelations@commscope.com
or
Financial Contact:
Jennifer Crawford, CommScope
+1 828-323-4970

Release Summary

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is utilizing CommScope’s Powered Fiber Cable System to deploy more outdoor wireless access points and security cameras across campus.

Contacts

News Media Contact:
Bill Walter, CommScope
+1 708-236-6634 or publicrelations@commscope.com
or
Financial Contact:
Jennifer Crawford, CommScope
+1 828-323-4970