NISC Members Benefit Greatly from Integrated Solutions
Mandan, N.D., Feb. 13, 2023 – National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC), a leading provider of software solutions to utility and broadband companies, announces new integration between the NISC Enterprise System and Nokia’s line of broadband network equipment. To bring greater efficiency to NISC Members who are offering broadband service across the United States, NISC worked closely with Nokia to enhance not only the broadband provider experience but also the end customer experience.
This new integration was enabled by leveraging NISC’s Provisioning and User Services System (USS) solutions, which bring greater interaction between the NISC Enterprise System and Nokia’s line of equipment. This interaction will streamline operational and regulatory needs along with enabling enhanced customer service and a more efficient billing process.
SRT Communications, Inc., a cooperative telecommunications company serving North Central N.D., utilizes the Nokia access platform to deliver broadband to their service area. With this new integration, NISC’s Provisioning communicates with Nokia 5520 AMS, allowing the telecom to provision services in the office as well as in the field when using NISC’s iVUE AppSuite.
“It is critical we provide our staff with the tools they need to deliver exceptional service and ensure they are utilizing their field time as effectively as possible,” said Shawn Grosz, Chief Technology Officer at SRT. “The integration between our Nokia equipment and NISC’s Provisioning helps us achieve those operational goals.”
The integration doesn’t stop with provisioning, however. Nextlink provides internet and phone service across Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois and is expanding into Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Wyoming. With such a large service area, the leadership at Nextlink prioritized finding the proper software tools they needed for required speed and latency testing as well as the ability to scale to multiple states, multiple test areas and sheer volume.
“Nextlink selected NISC’s User Services System for a reason: the overall value of the offering,” said Claude Aiken, Chief Strategy Officer at Nextlink Internet. “Speed and latency tests ensure that our high-quality network build is accurately reflected to our federal, state and local partners. A scalable system like NISC’s USS helps us do just that across the many states we serve.”
“Nextlink utilizes Nokia’s Beacon 6 residential gateways for in-home Wi-Fi service, which uses Broadband Forum standards for device management – the same standard NISC utilizes,” said Ryan Larson, NISC Senior Product Marketing Manager. “Having a mesh Wi-Fi solution, like the Nokia Beacon 6, that can work with the existing USS solution and meet the regulatory testing obligation for delivering 1 GB broadband service is vitally important to these service providers.”
“Nokia is committed to providing technology solutions to meet the needs of broadband service providers from an operational and regulatory standpoint,” said Mark Klimek, Nokia’s Vice President of North America Fixed Networks Business Center. “Nokia is pleased that its work with NISC confidently certified the Beacon 6 solution for a 1 GB speed test using Broadband Forum’s standards via the NISC’s USS, and that Beacon 6 provides a high-performance whole home coverage experience with ease.”
About NISC
NISC is an information technology organization that develops, implements and supports software and hardware solutions for our Members. We deliver advanced solutions, services and support to 940 independent broadband companies, electric cooperatives and other public power entities. NISC is an industry leader providing information technology solutions including financials, service, operations and marketing as well as many other supporting platforms and business services. With facilities in Mandan, N.D., Lake Saint Louis, Mo., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Blacksburg, Va., NISC and its subsidiary employ more than 1,300 professionals between the four locations and remotely throughout the United States. Additional information about NISC can be found at www.nisc.coop.
About Nokia
At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together. As a trusted partner for critical networks, we are committed to innovation and technology leadership across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. We create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs. Adhering to high standards of integrity and security, we help build the capabilities needed for a more productive, sustainable, and inclusive world. For more information, visit www.nokia.com.
About SRT
SRT Communications, headquartered in Minot, North Dakota, is the state’s largest telecommunications cooperative. Established in 1951, SRT employs nearly 190 people and serves roughly 8,000 square miles and 24,000 customers across north central North Dakota. SRT earned the distinction as a Certified Gig-Capable Provider in 2017. Services include high-speed internet, phone, and security/surveillance systems for home and business. Learn more at www.SRT.com.
About Nextlink
Nextlink Internet is a rural-focused provider of high-speed internet and phone services, investing over $1 billion in unserved and underserved communities with its fiber and wireless infrastructure. As an active participant in public-private partnerships to close the digital divide, Nextlink is working to rapidly connect thousands of additional homes, businesses, and anchor institutions in rural areas and small communities across 11 states. For more information, visit www.nextlinkinternet.com.