NRTC Member Rappahannock Electric Cooperative Installs Integrated Radio Solution

Selects TaitNet MPT 1327 to cover large area and for interoperability

For Immediate Release
DATE: August 20, 2008
Contact: Andrea Cumpston
Phone: 703-787-7156
E-mail: acumpston@nrtc.coop

August 20, 2008 [Herndon, VA]—Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) in Fredericksburg, Virginia has completed installation of a TaitNet MPT1327 radio network solution. The system supports 155 mobile and 35 portable radios used by line crews across REC's territory. REC selected the Tait Electronics system through its membership in the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC). NRTC brought together multiple vendors to create a state-of-the-art, integrated system and negotiated on behalf of REC to lease the required 200 MHz spectrum. NRTC developed a solution for REC that positions the cooperative well to quickly meet future needs, including workforce management.

REC is a member-owned cooperative providing service to more than 102,000 homes and businesses in portions of 16 Virginia counties. REC maintains more than 12,000 miles of power lines through its service area, which ranges from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the mouth of the Rappahannock River.

Tait's MPT1327 radio network offers REC a cost-effective infrastructure which allows voice and data on the same system and efficient two-way radio communications over a large geographic area. The network uses 220MHz spectrum, covers six sites and includes features which allow REC to operate safely and efficiently. Through its membership in NRTC, REC purchased TVD's Dash automatic vehicle location (AVL) component, which was integrated into each Tait radio, giving REC the ability to locate crews without the need of additional external equipment.

Rappahannock President and CEO Kent Farmer said that the goal is to interconnect this system with four neighboring electric cooperatives for interoperability during power restoration efforts. REC's Director of Telecommunications Gary Schwartz states, "We are very pleased with the performance and excellent coverage provided by the TaitNet system. We will further maximize the effectiveness of this system as we add data transmission capabilities to the fleet."

"Rappahannock Electric now uses one of the most advanced, flexible radio systems available today," said NRTC Regional Business Manager Jay Smith. Smith played a lead role in the project, working with REC to determine the cooperative's needs and craft a solution that would meet current and future requirements. "Many cooperatives are using outdated conventional radio systems that do not offer the possibility of advanced features such as IP-based, voice, data and AVL. NRTC's total solution for REC included the Tait system with an integrated AVL solution and the lease of the spectrum necessary for clear, interference-free communication."

The modular design of the MPT 1327 allows a range of features in a system of any size, which can be expanded from a single channel to a nationwide network. Tait Electronics offers NRTC members system supply, project management, installation and maintenance. As one of the top suppliers of this type of technology, TaitNet MPT 1327 is the most widely used trunked radio open protocol in the world.

About NRTC
The National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC) represents the advanced telecommunications and information technology interests of more than 1,400 rural utilities and affiliates in 47 states. Founded in 1986, NRTC provides products and services developed specifically to meet the needs of rural utilities and their customers, such as high-speed Internet access via satellite, full service Internet access and support, advanced metering infrastructure, SmartSCADA, wireless technologies, power quality products, long distance programs, mobile phone service, IP backbone services, direct broadcast satellite service (DBS) with DIRECTV and Internet protocol television (IPTV). For more information, visit www.nrtc.coop.