January 27, 2011

TANTALUS AND ALCATEL-LUCENT REV UP THE SMART GRID AT DISTRIBUTECH 2011 WITH LIGHTNING FAST LTE NETWORK DEMO

Raleigh, NC – January 26, 2011 – Tantalus and Alcatel-Lucent will demonstrate the next generation of high-speed, high-capacity Smart Grid communications at Distributech 2011, including communications over a Long Term Evolution (LTE) 4G network which provides exceptional coverage and data throughput over a wireless broadband network.

The joint demonstration uses the Tantalus TUNet® platform and optical network terminals (ONT) from Alcatel-Lucent to optimize automated meter reading, outage management and other Smart Grid applications over both fiber optic networks and an Alcatel-Lucent LTE network. The wireless LTE network provides increased peak data rates and scalable bandwidth capacity to support mixed data, voice, video and messaging traffic.

Tantalus and Alcatel-Lucent are working closely together on several precedent setting deployments that use municipally owned fiber networks for triple-play media (Internet, video and voice-over-IP), as well as a full range of Smart Grid applications provided by Tantalus. These Homerun™ Networks deliver the high-speed, two-way communication and high-capacity bandwidth needed for data transactions with millions of smart meters and smart appliances as well as command and control of a utility’s distribution infrastructure.

According to the 2010 Broadband Census, less than 100 municipalities currently operate a FTTH (Fiber to the Home) or FTTP (Fiber to the Premise) network. This number, however, is expected to increase dramatically in the near future.

“Broadband – whether operating over fiber-optic cable or a wireless LTE network – provides a future friendly backbone for the data intensive applications that are just around the corner,” says Eric Murray, President & CEO of Tantalus. “Not only does it deliver rich, triple play media, it ensures that network performance will not diminish as traffic skyrockets and as time of use pricing, load shedding, customer signaling and tightly coordinated distribution automation actions become more prevalent.”

"As the leading provider of mission-critical communications networks to the energy sector, at Alcatel-Lucent we are also striving to quickly bring tomorrow’s technologies to the utility of today," said Mark Madden, regional vice president Power Utility Business Development.  "This demonstration, and our work with utility application partners such as Tantalus, demonstrates our resolve to meet the highest standards in the industry, brings needed solutions that are usable and useful to the industry, and also demonstrate our commitment to the utility market."

The demonstration also features a Tantalus RT-4101, an electric meter collar adapter that powers Alcatel-Lucent’s 7340 ONT family of products. The Tantalus collar also works with Alpha, Calix and Motorola ONT devices. The Tantalus RT-4101 is the first device of its kind to possess system-wide safety certifications based on applicable Underwriters Laboratory standards. It is used for power provisioning to externally mounted telecommunications equipment such as Optical Network Terminals (for connecting fiber cables to homes and businesses), as well as other devices including Ethernet Routers, Cable Routers, and UPS modules. The Tantalus gateway fits into a standard 2S meter socket, enabling a utility to install the device without requiring an electrician.

Alcatel-Lucent will demonstrate Smart Grid functionality over LTE on booth #535 throughout Distributech in San Diego from February 1 to 3, 2011. On Feb 2, EPB Chattanooga will also present a case study on how it leverages the city’s 100% fiber optic network for triple-play media services and Smart Grid applications.