OREANDA-NEWS. Fujitsu, a leading provider of business, information technology, and communications solutions, announced today that Northwestel, a communications solutions provider in northern Canada, has chosen Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc. as its partner to bring broadband connectivity to communities of the Western-Arctic's Mackenzie Delta area. Northwestel will implement Fujitsu's long-haul, packet transport, microwave technology as part of a five-year Modernization Plan designed to upgrade telecommunications solutions for northern businesses, residential customers and local governments.

Northwestel's upgraded network infrastructure is designed to benefit all segments of its customer base. Businesses will be able to communicate through videoconferencing; educators can stream multimedia content into their classrooms to bring lessons to life; government institutions will better serve citizens by putting routine tasks, such as permit processing, online; and consumers will have a better, faster broadband experience in their homes.

Following a review of competing technology providers, Northwestel found that Fujitsu's complete solution of hardware, software and professional services best served the communications provider's more remote users.

Northwestel selected the Fujitsu FRX-3E Long-Haul Microwave Radio System for its performance, configuration flexibility and modular design. The FRX-3E supports Ethernet services with up to 4Gbps capacity, while its 16RF channels give it tremendous scalability. The innovative design elements of the FRX-3E give it the highest-capacity and density in the industry. The design is also environmentally responsible, allowing the microwave radio system to maintain its signal strength while consuming low power.

Additionally, Northwestel will use Fujitsu's NETSMART(r) Management System carrier-class software to manage, provision and monitor the FRX-3E. The communications provider already uses the NETSMART Management System to perform these functions in conjunction with previously installed Fujitsu FLASHWAVE(r) Packet Optical Networking Platforms (Packet ONPs).

Fujitsu's professional services team is also part of the solution for Northwestel. Professional services staff will perform System Line-up and Testing on each unit prior to its delivery to the field, as well as provide maintenance training for technicians and remote technical assistance.