KITCO Fiber Optics and the Electronics Technicians Association, International (ETA) presented the first ETA/KITCO Annual Fiber Optics Achievement Award to John Walters at the ETA's National All Service Convention on March 3, 2004, in Las Vegas, NV. Mr. Walters was recognized for his "outstanding contributions to the fiber optics industry and his dedication to the highest standards of excellence through the ETA Certification process."
Mr. Walters' military teaching career began in January 1967 when he was assigned to the Marine Corps Communication Electronics School as in instructor in the Electronics Fundamentals Training Section. He retired from military service in November 1980 after serving in many key assignments in Communications Electronics. In July 1986 Mr. Walters was hired as the Training Administrator for the Radar Fundamentals course at 29 Palms, and in 1994 he became the fiber optics instructor within the Terminal Equipment Training Section. He further distinguished himself as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for fiber optics within the Marine Corps, and has accumulated more than 9700 hours of documented military instruction time. In April 1999 he was recognized as the Civilian Instructor of the Year for the Marine Corps Communication Electronics School, and is responsible for hundreds of men and women achieving the ETA Certified Fiber Optics Installer designation. Mr. Walters has also been involved in the development and implementation of fiber optics systems throughout the Marine Corps, and is currently participating in the development of the next generation of repair kit upgrades and modifications, ensuring that the Marine Corps remains on the leading edge of fiber optics technology.
Mr. Walters' willingness and dedication to educate others in fiber optics technology coupled with his superior field knowledge has distinguished him as an industry leader, and KITCO Fiber Optics and ETA are pleased to recognize John Walters as the first recipient of their annual achievement award.
KITCO Fiber Optics is a leading provider of fiber optic connectorization products, training and consulting services to the military and commercial communications industry. We specialize in the design and fabrication of fiber optic tools, tool kits and custom cable assemblies; producing private label kits for a number of major connector manufacturers and selling our own broad line of commercial and military products. We develop curriculum and provide commercial and military training worldwide, and serve as the U.S. Navy's sole shipboard fiber optic trainer. Our highly skilled field services team can respond to your fiber optic requirements anytime, anywhere - rapidly providing the best solutions for overcoming system problems or delays.
Glasgow EPB leverages HFC network for AMR, Remote Service Disconnect/Reconnect
For the past 40 years residents of the city of Glasgow, KY have enjoyed the numerous benefits afforded by a successful Public Power operation, namely reliability, customer service and a strong community presence. In 1989 the Glasgow EPB decided to deliver those same benefits through a new product offering; delivering advanced telecommunications services over a state of the art Hybrid Fiber Coax Network. Today, with the help of muNet's WebGate IP Interface Technology, GEPB is leveraging that communications infrastructure and expertise to enhance core utility operations including automated meter reading and remote disconnect and reconnect services.
In addition to delivering electric service to nearly 13,000 residents within Glasgow city limits, GEPB also offers digital cable, high-speed Internet and phone service in Glasgow and parts of south central Kentucky 's Barren County . "Automating metering and other service related functions over our HFC network has always been part of our overall vision for the system," says Glasgow EPB CEO Billy Ray. "muNet's WebGate Technology is making a 15 year old vision a reality."
The Ethernet-based WebGate System enables the electric meter to connect to any IP-based broadband network by incorporating a broadband modem under glass. All WebGate devices are plug-and-play and no additional network components are required to drive the system. In addition to collecting frequent interval data, the always on, two-way connection that a WebGate establishes at the meter allows for advanced applications such as remote disconnect and reconnect, voltage monitoring, and coaxial cable signal control.
AMR is the first of many applications enabled by WebGate's unique platform, and with a meter population a nearly 7,000 GEPB found itself with a significant number of meters that could benefit from the ability to be remotely read over their existing HFC network. "It took no time at all for me to come up with a list of locations where I wanted to install WebGate devices," notes Ricky Pedigo, Senior Meter Technician at GEPB. "Everywhere from meters behind locked gates to locations with unfriendly dogs, I've been making a mental list for a while now." GEPB is able to read all of their installed WebGate equipped meters with muNet's WebBot Central Control Software, which is configured to automatically poll each meter and transfer reads into GEPB's legacy billing system.
Without the aide of an advanced metering and two-way communications system, disconnect and reconnect services are among the most time consuming and costly services a utility provides. Prior to GEPB's decision to deploy WebGate IP Interface devices at locations that frequently appeared on the monthly non-pay list, the process of disconnecting service for those delinquent accounts was a cumbersome one, ultimately requiring the deployment of a meter technician to physically disconnect the meter. Now, with a WebGate IP Interface installed, authorized GEPB personnel can use a simple Web-based interface to remotely disconnect electric service in real time, or set an appointment for disconnect action in the future. Reconnects are handled in the same manner, and GEPB has the option to require the homeowner to push a collar mounted reset button to acknowledge electric service has been restored. Eliminating the need for two field visits and the ability to remotely verify that disconnect and reconnect commands have been successfully executed is streamlining the process for billing, customer service and metering departments at GEPB.
Other applications that the Glasgow EPB has explored include utilizing the WebGate platform to deliver high-speed Internet service into the home and control coaxial cable service at both single dwelling and multi dwelling locations. With a cable modem integrated with the electric meter, GEPB is able to deliver high-speed Internet access into the home using 802.11b Wi-Fi or HomePlug-based powerline carrier technology. "With a WebGate device installed, we have a provisioned cable modem at the electric meter that is ready to deliver services into the home," says Billy Ray. "AMR is the first application that this technology enables; we are looking well beyond that."
