The CNS Outside Cable Plant — the system of switches, nodes, amplifiers and fiber-optic cable that makes up the part of the CNS network that carries information between the central office and customers — upgrade project has reached the half-way point.

The upgrade to the OCP will increase CNS’ bandwidth, or network capacity, by 33 percent and enhance signal strength and reliability to customers.

Seventeen of the original nodes have been split into 30 new nodes. The nodes act as data transmission centers, receiving data through CNS’ fiber-optic lines, splitting it into a signal that can be used by customers and then distributing it to each home or business.

With about 17 more of the original nodes left to upgrade and work progressing on schedule, the project will be completed in February 2012. Initially, it was estimated the project would be completed in January, but because of a delay in receiving materials, the completion date was pushed back by one month.

Technology Resources Director Chris White said, “Customers should keep in mind that even though work in their area has been completed, due to the changes that have to be made to our network to keep services available during the upgrade, they will not see a change or enhancement in services until the project is completed in entirety.”

Once OCP upgrade project is completed, CNS customers will see increased signal strength, which results from their increased proximity to their respective node. Customers also will be less susceptible to widespread outages because of the decreased number of customers serviced by each node.

“This project not only strengthens our CNS infrastructure and enhances our ability to provide quality services to our customers, it also allows us room, in the form of added bandwidth, to grow our services as we look to the future to see which ways we can better serve our community,” said Assistant City Manager/Utilities Don Atkinson.

For more information about the OCP upgrade, call 227-7001.