CTC works with the full range of existing and emerging technologies. We hold incomparable expertise in supporting local governments to develop broadband communications networks using wireless, fiber optics, and other technologies. From New York to Santa Monica, we have planned, designed, negotiated, and implemented sophisticated telecommunications projects that control expenses and minimize disruption.

CTC plans telecommunications networks using a multitude of transmission technologies and architectures. We create wireless plans, design wireless networks, and engineer/implement pilot projects. Our fiber optic master plans, include fiber routing and specifications. and integrate voice, video and data capabilities for educational institutions, state and local governments, and non-profit institutions. CTC analysis include interviews and cost modeling, specification of system components, system certification, and performance modeling.

Specific tasks include:

CTC conducted a financial and technical feasibility study of the potential to build and operate a communications system to deliver services to all homes and businesses in the City and County of San Francisco. This study includes the analysis of using one or more of a variety of fiber-optics-based technologies including Fiber to the Premises (FTTP).

A San Francisco fiber network has the potential to be cutting-edge in every way—with respect to technology, application, business plan, and deployment strategy. This project designs a system of state-of-the-art telecommunications services to citizens and simultaneously enhance the status of San Francisco as a business and thought-leader for the world.

CTC developed an infrastructure blueprint and strategy to encourage the expansion and enhancement of cellular telephone and broadband connectivity services in the County.

The purpose of the strategy is for the County and its partners to facilitate a reduction or removal of barriers to market entry for new and enhanced connectivity services.

CTC performed a comprehensive review and develop a long-term strategic plan – both wireline and wireless -- for the Commission’s Institutional Networks (I-Nets).

The NSCC operates a mixture of I-Net fiber and coaxial cable, as well as some leased circuits. The purpose of the strategic plan is to plan and design a network to meet the existing and emerging technical requirements of the NSCC members and their agencies and departments, and to provide a blueprint for future network development and construction.

CTC served as consultant to the City of Alexandria in implementation of a fiber-optic communications network. CTC performed a requirements analysis to examine the current and potential uses of the network, gathering information from all involved City users. Based on the requirements analysis, CTC designed a multiple ring-based fiber optic network. The network design recommendations will reduce costs over current leased communications services, improve the current quality of service, and serve as the basis for introducing new technology for integration of voice, video, and data applications. The recommendations include cost-effective routing of the network to ensure major City facilities have access to the network, specifications for interface/control equipment at City facilities to support the necessary services, and detailed plans for transition from the current system to the network.

CTC also prepared a voice study for the City. The Telephone Study provides recommendations for a system to support City-wide telephone requirements based on an evaluation of existing systems and options available with emerging technology, including integration with the City-wide I-Net.  In addition, CTC prepared a study to assess potential approaches for upgrading the ATM backbone equipment currently supporting the interconnection of City facilities over the City's fiber optic infrastructure. Based on the results of this study, the City has migrated the network towards the utilization of lower-cost, higher capacity Gigabit Ethernet technology coupled with Coarse Wave Division Multiplexing (CWDM). CTC assisted the City by developing a network design, equipment specifications, and implementation requirements that were integrated into an RFP for the network hardware and integration services required for the upgrade.

CTC has been involved in a number of network implementation projects, including developing specifications for a secure wireless link to connect facilities without fiber optics to the backbone network at high speeds. CTC is currently working with the City to evaluate emerging technologies for converging many of the City's existing circuit-based systems, including an 800 MHz public safety radio system, onto the upgraded IP-based Ethernet backbone.

CTC performed a study to determine the County’s communications requirements, and provided recommendations regarding system designs and cost benefits of constructing a fiber optic network. CTC conducted performance testing of the County’s fiber optic infrastructure interconnecting more than 100 facilities, which was constructed by the local cable operators.

CTC designed a video system to support the display of real-time information systems within a newly constructed Fire Department Headquarters dispatch center, utilizing state-of-the-art plasma video monitors and high-definition video routing systems. We are currently overseeing the contractor chosen to integrate this system.

CTC worked for the City of Morganton to provide a system level design for an 80-channel municipal cable system, using fiber optic technology for the system backbone. CTC developed the specifications for the system construction, and assisted the City in issuing a Request for Proposals for system implementation and operation. CTC also conducted acceptance tests for verification of performance and design standards once the system was constructed.

CTC provided Arlington County with extensive communications engineering consulting, planning, and implementation for eight years. CTC planned with the County and the cable television operator an 80 location dedicated fiber optic network constructed at the same time as the cable television rebuild. CTC developed specifications for the network electronics, oversaw the work by the systems integrators and cable operator, developed acceptance test procedures for the fiber optic network, and oversaw and conducted tests of the fiber optic networking. CTC reviewed design maps and conducted field inspections to verify the accuracy of the maps and the quality of the construction in the right-of-way, as well as installation in the facilities. CTC specified termination panels in the facilities and oversaw the design of building entry.

CTC's role was to develop estimates for the equipment and ongoing staffing and maintenance costs of the cable modem “Supplemental I-Net” to specify requirements for headend and modem equipment, to meet with multiple vendors of the equipment, to determine which were suitable possibilities for the County. CTC conducted participated in extensive discussions with engineers and franchise negotiators of Comcast Communications to develop the specifics for acceptable use of the network, co-location at the cable headend, potential issues of interference between the County network and the cable operators subscriber cable modem service which involved development and implementation of test procedures at Comcast's Cherry Hill , New Jersey laboratory. The system became operational in April of 2004 and is the only multi-user DOCSIS cable TV system with the providers on separate RF networks -- in other words, a truly open access environment on the cable modem system.

CTC is in the process of strategic planning with Arlington County to determine a five year plan for communications and information technologies in the County particularly regarding use of the public right-of-way, rooftop and tower top assets, provision of broadband and advanced services to residents and business, and interagency processes within the County. CTC is also involved with and ongoing effort to complete the network engineering for a regional network interconnecting Washington , DC region local governments including Arlington County.

CTC also developed a backhaul network for public safety radio communications as the County upgrades its radio communications infrastructure. For this task CTC studied the bandwidth requirements and sites that needed to be interconnected. At this point CTC also determined that the public safety fiber communications system would have multiple benefits for the County including improving the robustness and reliability of existing fiber optic network because its ring architecture would be able to interconnect key locations on the existing Star topology fiber optic network. CTC then developed street level routing for the network including pole design. CTC developed cost estimates for make ready and construction work by county contractors. CTC developed a set of information for decision makers detailing the advantages and disadvantages of the fiber optic relative to a microwave communications option. CTC also began discussions with Virginia Dominion Power and Verizon Communications; the owners of the utility poles in order to determine what contractual issues exist for the County in using the poles.

CTC is involved with the planning and implementation of various Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) related initiatives for the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT). CTC has designed and implemented communications systems for ITS devices, including Variable Message Signs (VMS), traffic signal controllers, and microwave-based traffic sensors, using technologies ranging from fiber optic data transceivers to digital spread spectrum wireless modems.

CTC developed specifications for and oversaw the implementation of a mobile traffic camera system utilizing standards-based 802.11b wireless Ethernet transmission and MPEG-2 video encoding for flexible deployments in construction zones and emergency situations.

CTC assisted DelDOT in the unprecedented implementation of a statewide Enhanced Traffic Advisory Radio System (E-TARS). CTC assisted in the negotiations for purchase of a commercial AM broadcast license. CTC designed the studio and transmission systems for WTMC, a class D, 520 Watt AM radio station, providing commercial-caliber traffic broadcasts. CTC continues to provide technical support and maintenance for WTMC, and is currently supporting DelDOT in implementing plans for expanding TARS coverage and enhancing system reliability.

CTC has provided extensive assistance for the City of Mesa and its electric utility in physical plant and networking. Projects included determination of the City’s voice, data, and video requirements for government needs, design of a fiber optic ring to serve the City power utility working with the City, systematically inventorying all areas of planned water, sewer, or road construction in the City, and developing a Citywide infrastructure plan for constructing communications conduit coordinated with the utility work. CTC also provided support for the City in cable television franchise negotiations and in the testing and deployment of a local emergency alert system operating over the analog and digital channels of all cable television systems in the City.

CTC designed physical routing for fiber optic cable on City power utility poles, designed entry and exit into the power substations, determined power utility needs, recommended a fiber optic count, and developed a technology concept that enabled the City to provide communications for its internal purposes, sell or lease bandwidth in City fiber, sell or lease fiber optic capacity on the ring, co-locate equipment from other networks and providers in hub buildings near substation facilities, and provide interconnection with other networks and carriers.

As part of the E-Streets initiative, CTC designed with City staff a network of over thirty miles, maximizing the use of fiber negotiated from communications providers in the right of way and the use of roadways and canal ways where utility and road construction were expected in the near future. Relative to a network that was not coordinated with construction, the design is expected to save the City millions of dollars.
CTC designed a standardized conduit standard usage scheme that provides four conduit for the City and up to eight conduit for commercial or other future use. The City has been able to collect revenue to offset construction cost by selling conduit in key corridors. CTC also worked with the City to design a system of vaults and manholes that enables the non-City users to separately connect with their conduit without need to interact with the City conduit or the conduit of other carriers using the conduit bank.

Construction of the conduit system began in 2001. About half the network has been completed. CTC designed a standardized conduit standard usage scheme that provides four conduit for the City and up to eight conduit for commercial or other future use. The City has been able to collect revenue to offset construction cost by selling conduit in key corridors. CTC also worked with the City to design a system of vaults and manholes that enables the non-City users to separately connect with their conduit without need to interact with the City conduit or the conduit of other carriers using the conduit bank.

CTC also has begun work with the City to potentially expand the City’s fiber optic and conduit infrastructure via point-to-point, “hotspot” or mesh wireless communications, potentially for intelligent transportation system applications such as cameras, and for public area free Internet access for citizens.

CTC assisted the City with the design and performance testing of the fiber optic cabling installed by the local cable operator to interconnect City facilities. CTC prepared an RFP containing data network design and equipment specifications, which resulted in the construction of a Gigabit Ethernet network interconnecting 13 City facilities. During the network integration process, CTC assisted with contractor oversight and detailed design review. Following integration of the data network backbone, the City implemented a citywide Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone system supporting approximately 500 City telephones, for which CTC reviewed system proposals and cost estimates and revised designs.

CTC performed an evaluation of the City’s telecommunications and video distribution systems, and provided recommendations for enhancing telephony and video capabilities and reliability while reducing operational costs by utilizing existing City fiber resources. CTC provided recommendations for augmenting City fiber and conduit infrastructure through commercial partnerships and interagency project planning.

CTC developed system design recommendations to support citywide telephony services, and performed a detailed long-term cost analysis of several telecommunications system alternatives. Additionally, CTC prepared detailed system designs and cost models to enhance the Police Department data and telecommunications backbone.

CTC assisted Ventura in the areas of cable television franchise negotiations and fiber optic network implementation. CTC performed cable system evaluations and provided recommendations for franchise negotiations. These recommendations included a system design for fiber optic infrastructure interconnecting more than 60 City, County, and public school facilities. CTC performed construction oversight and performance testing of the fiber optic infrastructure.

CTC performed an assessment of existing City, County, and Public School communications systems, and developed recommendations and cost models for several data and video network systems to utilize the fiber optics. CTC worked with the participating agencies to develop a data network design and equipment specifications to reduce dependence upon costly leased services, increase reliability, and greatly enhance capacity. CTC assisted the City in developing an RFP for the integration of a citywide Gigabit Ethernet network backbone. Currently, CTC is overseeing the implementation of this network.

CTC provided Northbrook with initial planning, cost estimation, strand mapping, and aerial and underground construction specifications for a fiber-optic network in the Village of Northbrook, Illinois.

The Village of Northbrook negotiated a cable franchise agreement with 21st Century Communications to construct an overbuild cable TV system with dedicated fiber optics for educational and governmental use. CTC provided the technical support for negotiations, including a government and educational technical requirements analysis and presence during many of the negotiation sessions.

The Village had extensive data requirements that were not being reliably served by their existing coaxial cable network and leased telecommunications circuits. In addition the Village had an aging voice infrastructure and significant recurring charges for voice and data services. The schools and park district had similar limitations in their networks.

21st Century transferred the Franchise agreement to RCN Communications in the midst of the build. RCN chose to cease construction of the network when only 3,700 of 12,500 homes were built. The Village settled with RCN and obtained ownership of the outside plant that had been constructed by RCN and the funds to complete the network. RCN also agreed to remove the cable plant that would not be used by the Village.

CTC surveyed the cable plant for the Village and found that the as-built and design maps submitted by RCN were not consistent with the actual construction. CTC developed cost estimates for removal of abandoned plant and for construction of the remaining cable plant and assisted the Village in obtaining agreements with the power company, Commonwealth Edison, and the telephone company, SBC, for use of pole attachments abandoned by RCN and new attachments that would be needed to complete the network. The Village used these cost estimates to brief Village decision-makers, the park district, and the five school districts potentially served by the network.

CTC developed a 60-page bid document of detailed construction specifications, which were provided to prospective bidders along with a CD-ROM of the design. The bid document included general contractor requirements; safety and health standards; inspection and project control procedures; work specifications for make-ready, underground and aerial construction, splicing, and termination; description of required materials; and testing specifications. It included prices per task and unit cost for each construction procedure and type of materials. The document then estimated the total number of the various tasks and materials that would be needed for the project and requested cost estimates for each phase of the project.

CTC worked with the Village to evaluate bids based on cost and the demonstrated experience of the construction companies. CTC assisted in developing a scoring methodology, provided quantitative and qualitative analysis of the proposals and contacted references of the construction companies and other communities and customers who worked with the companies.

Over the course of the project CTC network engineers worked with the Village to determine the governmental, educational, and park district requirements for voice, data, and video on the network, reviewing the functionalities and costs with the user groups. CTC’s final recommendation was for an all Internet Protocol (IP). CTC developed specifications for equipment at the hub facilities, key sites, and general user sites for network equipment. CTC also developed specifications for voice networking using IP based switching and end user equipment. Based on the specifications the Village selected a vendor, procured the equipment. The Village is in the process of activation of the network, which should be complete by the end of 2004.

Once construction had begun CTC worked with the Village Utility Coordinator to address issues and questions during the course of construction. Actual construction costs were thirty percent less than the original estimates.

Over the course of the project CTC network engineers worked with the Village to determine the governmental, educational, and park district requirements for voice, data, and video on the network, reviewing the functionalities and costs with the user groups. CTC’s final recommendation was for an all Internet Protocol (IP). CTC developed specifications for equipment at the hub facilities, key sites, and general user sites for network equipment. CTC also developed specifications for voice networking using IP based switching and end user equipment. Based on the specifications the Village selected a vendor, procured the equipment. The Village is in the process of activation of the network, which should be complete by the end of 2004.

In the process of planning the fiber optic network, it was found that there were serious deficiencies in internal building wiring. CTC assisted the Village in planning and estimating the cost for replacement network cabling to support the new data and voice network.