All north-south communications throughout Central America are accomplished by utilizing the Central American Microwave Systems (CAMS). The CAMS is a low capacity 960 channel microwave radio relay system that provides connectivity from Mexico to Panama, with inter-connectivity to all major metropolitan areas within Central America. The current maximum capacity is at 60Mbps.
The CAMS has been in service for over a decade, the technology is antiquated and inefficient. Capacity is low and not capable of meeting the high bandwidth requirements of emerging technologies and applications. There are also high maintenance and operational cost associated with any type of microwave system. Reliability of these systems is also greatly impacted by the varying climate conditions found throughout all of Central America.
Local and international telecommunications providers recognize and agree that the CAMS are a bottleneck in the flow of digital information within Central America. Government and business analyst agree that the system needs to be re-engineered. With the recent signing of the Dr-CAFTA agreement between the United States and Central America, business opportunities now exist for both entrepreneurs and enterprise companies in the region. An up to date, state of the art telecommunications infrastructure is needed throughout Central America in order to attract new business into the region, clearing a path so that the true vision of Dr-CAFTA can be realized.
In an attempt to organize the installation of this type of infrastructure project, the leaders of Central America developed the Pueblo-Panama Plan (PPP). Included in this plan was a design of a fiber-optic backbone network to provide service between Mexico and Panama, interconnecting all major metropolitan areas. Portions of the fiber installation was to be financed and completed by the local governments of each Central American country, while the remainder of the installation was to be completed by attracting private enterprise. For the installation of the Phenix fiber backbone, no additional installation will be required by the local governments of Central America.
Phenix Group Venture Corporation (Phenix) plans to be that private enterprise, with plans to complete a north-south fiber backbone that would replace the antiquated CAMS and position Central America to compete in the global marketplace. Phenix also plans to provide connectivity to the major international fiber backbone networks already landed, but not utilized, in the region (Arcos-1, Maya -1, Pac, Pan AM, SAC). This backbone fiber network will provide competitive, reliable, state of the art international connectivity for all major metropolitan cities in Central America.
Starting in Nicaragua, Phenix will interconnect with existing PPP fiber currently installed between Managua and north to Leon. From this point, Phenix will install fiber from Leon north to Chinandega, then turning northeast to Somotillo on the border with Honduras. From there, Phenix will install fiber northward into Honduras to the city of Jicaro Galan. From here, the installed fiber will travel to northeast to the capital city of Honduras, Tegucigalpa, and to the west into El Salvador and the border city of Santa Rosa de Lima. Once into El Salvador, the build will move south to the city of Amatillo, where the Phenix fiber will interconnect with CTE Telecom’s portion that is already installed as part of the PPP. This section extends to San Salvador and onward north to the Guatemala border city of San Cristobal. Once Phenix reaches this border, Phenix will interconnect with the Telgua portion already installed as part of the PPP. This section extends to Guatemala City and then onward to city of Tecum Uman, the Mexico border town.
Going back to Managua and working south towards Panama, Phenix will install fiber from Managua south to Masaya, then onward to the Costa Rica border city of Penaas Blancas. At this point, Phenix will interconnect with the ICE portion already completed as part of the initial PPP. This section extends southward to San Jose, then onward to the Panama border city of Paso Canos.
Phenix will install a redundant Fiber Optic system with one route following existing road ways with adequate easements granted and a second line will be laid in conjunction with the construction of the oil pipeline. This will create two full systems across Nicaragua that will be inter-connected at several points to ensure continuous service even if one line is disabled. This system will then be connected to major business, government offices, educational facilities, telephone companies, ISPs, hospitals, and consumers.
Below is a map representing the completed installation of the fiber network.
This route would complete the build from Mexico to Panama. It is important to note that this route directly follows the already established rights-of-way used by the Pan American Highway (CA-1/CA-3) throughout each country. Using this pre-existing easement will greatly reduce the installation cost and time needed to complete the construction.
Phenix will interconnect into the global fiber optic network providing many different options for its customers, including competitive pricing and network redundancy. This integrated network will also provide support for the global initiatives of competition in the region.
In Mexico, global connectivity is accomplished by utilizing the Columbus-2, Maya-1, PAC, and the Arcos-1 fiber networks. In Guatemala, access is available to the Emergia fiber network. In Panama, connectivity is available to the Crooks Crossing, Pan Am, Maya-1, Arcos-1, PAC, and SAC fiber optic networks. These networks interconnect all of North, South, and now Central America with the United States, the Caribbean, and the World.
A Network Operation Center (NOC) will be constructed in Managua, and will be used as the nerve center for monitoring and control of the complete fiber optic network. This facility will be built using the latest in datacenter technology, taking into account and making proper provisions for security, redundant systems, power, and the environment. This facility will also provide for co-location services and interconnectivity.
The Phenix’s fiber network will consist of a single 24 pair Standard Monomode SMF 28 fiber cable. This cable was selected because it provides high speed transmission (10Gbps) and is easy to install and test. It is well suited for Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM), can support up to 256 wavelengths, and provides the greatest distance (150 KMs) between regeneration points. Examples of fiber providers include EXFO, Nokia, Pirelli and Lucent.
The fiber terminating electronics would be OC-192, initialing providing 10Gbps capacity; 1: N redundancy, resulting in 99.999% network availability. Hardware vender of choice is Siemens, who has a strong presence in Central America. This presence will help to facilitate the maintenance and service of all fiber systems.
Phenix plans to offer not only international voice and IPL services, but also Frame Relay (FR), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Virtual Private Line (VPL), Packet Switched Networks, Digital Subscriber Loop (DSL), Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, Voice over IP (VoIP), CATV/HDTV, and Internet services.
Last mile connectivity will be accomplished using the latest wireless technology, WiMax. Using the 802.16d and 802.16e standards, we will be able to deliver 45-75Mbps bandwidth to the end user in a mess network. This network will position Phenix as the only carrier on the region to offer the "Triple Play" of services; Internet, VoIP, and IPTV.
Phenix believes that with the passing of the Dr-CAFTA agreement in the region that demands for all the above listed voice and data services will increase significantly. In order for Central America to position itself in the global marketplace, a state of the art communications infrastructure is going to be vital. Phenix believes this plan will not only help to create that position, but also create an atmosphere of competition while at the same time increasing the citizen’s standard of living by creating local jobs. Phenix believes that this plans places this company at the center of growth in the region, and positions Phenix for a long term revenue stream and positive return on investment.
Construction of the fiber-optic facility is scheduled to commence in late spring of 2006, preceding the construction of the pipeline. Phase 1 will be completed in late 2006, with broadband services to begin immediately.