Georgia Telecommunications Infrastructure & Providers
Telecom infrastructure is the backbone of today's corporate world, and Georgia offers businesses a state-of-the-art infrastructure. In fact, the first fiber-optic cable was manufactured in Georgia. Today, the state is the hub for the country's two-largest fiber-optic trunk routes, with more than 500,000 miles of cable buried underneath state highways. With at least 1,850 points of presence, the state also leads the nation in the deployment of ISDN technology.
Fiber Optic Lines
Long distance carriers, local exchange carriers, cable television companies, and competitive access providers have placed more than 500,000 miles of fiber optics all across Georgia. This includes 38 fiber optic trunk lines into and out of Atlanta. Thirteen of these routes are owned by long distance carriers and 25 are owned by BellSouth, which provides local telephone service to 85% of Georgia residents.
Atlanta is a transmission hub for the two largest fiber optic trunk routes in the U.S., which link the major population centers in North America. These Atlanta routes also provide fiber optic links to points across Europe, Japan, Australia and South America.
Long Distance Providers and Points of Presence
More than 250 long distance companies serve Georgia and more than 1,850 Points of Presence (POPs) are available at 350 locations throughout the state. Within the Atlanta Metro area, more than 950 POPs can be accessed at over 180 locations.
Additional Technology
Georgia has more than a dozen companies offering commercial leasing of satellite uplink services. They provide fixed, mobile and voice-and-data-only uplinks. The Georgia Statewide Academic and Medical Systems (GSAMS) video network interactively connects 400 distance learning/teleconferencing sites, including state colleges and universities, technical and adult education facilities and telemedicine sites. This gives the residents of Georgia's smallest communities access to highly specialized diagnostic equipment. SmartRing service, which provides an alternate ring transmission path in the event of equipment or facility failure, is available in metro Atlanta. In addition, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) switches, a cutting-edge technology that facilitates faster and more reliable all-optical transmission of data, are also available.
Georgia Telecommunications Deregulation
The Georgia legislature effectively deregulated the state's telecommunications services well ahead of the national debate. This development, combined with increased access to local and national capital, has propelled the state's growth in telecommunications and information technology services and products. It has also expanded the competitive choices available for all local businesses.
Sources and Related Sites
AT&T
Georgia Public Web