Utility company takes innovative approach to
improving network reliability
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. - 20 September 2006 - Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) today
announced that Kansas City Power & Light (KCP&L), a leading regulated
provider of electricity in the Midwest, has deployed Motorola’s PTP 58600
broadband wireless point-to-point Ethernet bridges, formerly known as Orthogon
Systems OS-Spectra, to provide higher levels of capacity, security and
reliability to the utility company’s internal data communications network.
The PTP 58600 wireless Ethernet bridges are part of Motorola’s MOTOwi4™
portfolio of innovative wireless broadband solutions and services that creates,
complements and completes IP networks. Delivering IP coverage to virtually all
spaces, the MOTOwi4 portfolio includes Fixed Broadband, Mesh, Broadband over
Powerline, and WiMAX solutions for private and public networks.
A pioneer in adopting leading-edge wireless technologies, KCP&L selected
the PTP 58600 because of its easy integration into its existing network and to
support newer, advanced internal applications, such as remote monitoring.
KCP&L operates a 15-year-old 6 GHz licensed system throughout its service
area, connecting power plants, substations and corporate locations. This system
could no longer handle the high-bandwidth requirements for Internet access,
multimedia or VoIP applications. In addition, KCP&L was looking to upgrade
its data network to better meet its future needs.
This deployment was unique because instead of completely replacing the existing
6 GHz licensed network, KCP&L decided to run the PTP 58600 network, an
unlicensed spectrum solution, in parallel with the current system. By using
Motorola’s wi4 Fixed Broadband solutions, KCP&L is able to provide
additional communications capacity, and improved reliability to its network at
a reasonable cost.
To date, KCP&L has deployed 33 PTP 58600 bridges that deliver 100 Mbps
across its entire network, spanning over 200 miles from end to end. In
addition, high-reliability throughout the network is sustained because of the
PTP 58600’s ability to combat fading over long distances.
“KCP&L’s commitment to using technology has helped us achieve top-tier
operating performance, resulting in an outstanding record of reliability and
high customer satisfaction,” said John Marshall, senior vice president,
Delivery, at KCP&L. “When it came time to add additional bandwidth to our
network, we turned to Orthogon Systems for a powerful, high-capacity system
that was cost-efficient and provided the necessary flexibility for future
beneficial applications.”
Motorola acquired Orthogon Systems, a recognized leader in wireless solutions
for reliable connectivity in difficult environments, in May 2006. Orthogon
Systems products now are offered by Motorola’s Point-to-Point Wireless
Solutions Group.
“The role of public utilities continues to evolve due to an ever-changing
economic, political and social climate,” said Phil Bolt, general manager,
Motorola’s Point-to-Point Wireless Solutions Group. “As these socio-economic
forces continue to redefine its sector, KCP&L had the foresight to adopt a
wireless network to consistently provide its community with reliable and
high-quality service.”
Revenue from this transaction, processed by TESSCO Technologies, Inc., was
recorded by Orthogon prior to its acquisition by Motorola. TESSCO, previously
an authorized Orthogon distributor, now is a Motorola Point-to-Point
distributor for North America.
About Kansas City Power & Light
Headquartered in Kansas City, MO., KCP&L (www.kcpl.com)
is a leading regulated provider of electricity in the Midwest. KCP&L is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Great Plains Energy Incorporated (NYSE: GXP), the
holding company for KCP&L and Strategic Energy, L.L.C., a competitive
electricity supplier.
Source: Motorola press release
