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| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rural Telecommunications |
| Company Type | Regional telephone company |
| Geography/Coverage | Northwestern Montana, 26 remote sites |
| Primary Challenge | Lost alarm visibility during switch upgrade |
| Solution Deployed | T/Mon master with NetGuardian RTUs |
| Key Result | Restored complete network visibility and monitoring |
| Products Used | T/Mon Master Station, NetGuardian 832A G5 |
Interbel Telephone serves rural communities across northwestern Montana. The company operates 3,500 access lines distributed across 26 remote sites, connected by 3 fiber rings. Based in Eureka, Interbel provides both traditional voice services and DSL data connections to customers throughout the region.
Interbel's infrastructure upgrade eliminated their alarm monitoring capabilities. The company replaced their Lucent 5ESS switch with a MetaSwitch system. They upgraded DDM2000 equipment to Zhone broadband digital loop carriers for VoIP service. These changes improved service quality but removed the embedded alarm collection Interbel had relied on for network visibility.
"All alarming as we knew it had gone by the wayside, so we were looking for a new alarm monitoring system," explained Marty Sosa, CO Supervisor.
Without alarm visibility, Interbel risked service disruptions across their remote Montana service area.
Interbel selected DPS Telecom based on proven reliability and prior experience. CO Supervisor Marty Sosa had deployed extensive DPS equipment at his previous employer. A colleague there couldn't speak highly enough of the company. "I knew that DPS is a good company. It's the company I'd want to work with if I was setting up alarms," Sosa said. The choice also made technical sense given VisionNet's existing T/Mon platform.
The T/Mon forwards all alarm data to VisionNet's platform automatically. This maintains service continuity for Interbel's after-hours monitoring contract. It also provides comprehensive daytime visibility.
The solution monitors environmental alarms, smoke detectors, door contacts, AC fail alarms, and fuse alarms. Coverage extends across all sites.
Interbel now has complete visibility across their network infrastructure. The T/Mon installation at their Eureka central office monitors all 26 remote sites in real time. The system automatically forwards alarms to VisionNet's T/Mon platform. This ensures comprehensive coverage during after-hours periods.
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Sites Monitored | All 26 remote locations plus central office |
| Critical Site Protection | Wolfe Prairie fiber handoff 40 miles away |
| Generator Monitoring | Runtime tracking and fuel level visibility |
| Integration Success | Seamless forwarding to VisionNet platform |
"I saw some of the generator timing features and that's brilliant stuff. That'll be a hit with the boss. It lets you know how long the generator's been running."
Marty Sosa, CO Supervisor, Interbel Telephone
The Wolfe Prairie site serves as Interbel's link to the world. Winter storms make roads impassable for days. Generator monitoring becomes essential during these periods. The site can be inaccessible during heavy snow. Remote visibility is critical for maintaining service.
| Benefit | Impact |
|---|---|
| Full Network Visibility | Real-time monitoring across all 26 remote sites and central office |
| Critical Site Protection | Generator runtime and fuel monitoring at vital fiber handoff location |
| Proven Equipment Choice | Solution selected based on successful deployments at prior employer |
| US Manufacturing Support | American-made equipment with domestic technical support availability |
What happens to alarms when you upgrade telecom equipment?
Infrastructure upgrades often eliminate embedded alarm collection systems. Modern equipment like MetaSwitch and Zhone access devices don't include the alarm aggregation features found in older switches. When you replace legacy equipment, you lose the built-in monitoring capabilities. Standalone monitoring systems restore this visibility and often provide better functionality than the original embedded systems.
How do you monitor remote sites in harsh winter conditions?
Remote sites need reliable monitoring with flexible transport options. Critical sites should include generator runtime monitoring and fuel level tracking. When roads become impassable during winter storms, remote monitoring becomes your only visibility into site conditions. Equipment must work reliably in extreme temperatures and provide alerts before problems become outages.
Can new monitoring integrate with third-party platforms?
T/Mon integrates with third-party monitoring platforms like VisionNet. This allows you to maintain after-hours monitoring services while adding comprehensive daytime visibility. The system forwards all alarms to the third-party platform automatically. You get local control during business hours plus professional monitoring coverage when your staff is unavailable.
What alarms should rural telcos monitor at remote sites?
Essential alarms include environmental monitoring, smoke detection, door contacts, AC power fail, and fuse alarms. Sites with generators need runtime tracking and fuel level monitoring. Your most critical sites warrant the most comprehensive monitoring. Consider what failures would cause service outages or require immediate truck rolls to determine monitoring priorities.
How quickly can you restore alarm visibility after upgrades?
Implementation depends on site count and complexity. Interbel deployed their T/Mon master station and three NetGuardian RTUs during their upgrade project. The local installation provides immediate visibility while integration with third-party systems maintains continuity for after-hours monitoring. Most deployments complete within weeks rather than months.
Infrastructure upgrades shouldn't eliminate your network visibility. We help telecommunications companies maintain reliable monitoring through equipment transitions.
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