Telecommunications

Communications are critical: system downtime cannot be tolerated. Situated at the crossroads of the nation's fiber optic network, the Quad Cities provides solid communications infrastructure for any type of business-and is an exceptional site for an office, call center, logistics base, and other operations requiring robust data and voice capabilities.

The Quad Cities region has six major telecommunications providers with central offices in the area:

  • AT&T
  • Geneseo Telephone Co.
  • Frontier Communications
  • CenturyLink
  • PAETEC
  • Central Scott Telephone Company/CS Technologies, Inc.

The region also has multiple long distance carriers with local points of presence (POPs):

  • AT&T
  • Verizon
  • PAETEC
  • Sprint
  • CenturyLink

Both the Iowa Central Network and the Illinois Century Network have state-owned POPS in their respective portions of the Quad Cities. Additionally, there are more than 25 local, regional and national Internet service providers (ISPs) whose services include broadband cable, fixed and mobile wireless, DSL, ISDN and T1 and T3 lines. Redundant intra and inter-city fiber optic network connects the central offices of the major telecom providers in the region.


Capabilities

  • Redundancy
  • Direct Digital Service (DDS)
  • Direct Hi-Cap Service transmits data up to 45 Mbps
  • Data transmissions can be processed in excess of 135 Mbps
  • Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
  • Digital 5 ESS switching centers
  • Northern Telcom DMS 100
  • DMS 500 Switch
  • 5 E Tandem switching centers
  • T-1 and T-3 Lines
  • Multiple point of presence security
  • Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN)
  • One stop equipment service: PBX (Private Branch Exchange) CC (Centron Centrex)
  • Intra & inter-city fiber optic networks

Fiber Optic Network

AT&T, CenturyLink, Fiberlink, PAETEC, Lightcore Network, Central Scott Telephone/CS Technologies, Windstream Communications, and Mediacom maintain a fiber optic network ringing the Quad Cities. 

The network assures uninterrupted service to telephone company fiber optic users. In the event of damage to any portion of the cable, state of the art technology routes communications in a reverse direction on the ring. Customers are never aware of any cable damage. 

Key to the loop is the installation of conduit systems to house fiber optic cabling on all the bridges connecting the Iowa-Illinois Quad Cities.