A rural integrated distribution trial with fiber optics

The author discusses applying fiber optic technology in two remote towns. Current efforts by Canadian telephone companies are aimed at ther eduction of multiparty line loads to a maximum of four customers per rural line. The telephone companies providing service to rural areas of Canada share a common problem, that of economics. Recognizing this fact, studies have been undertaken to come up with solutions. The outcome of these studies indicatetsh at the increasedv alue of new rural services integrated on a common carrier system would greatly reduce the present economic barriers. These studies also led to the Department of Communications (DOC) and the Canadian Telecommunication Carriers Association (CTCA) jointly sponsoring the Elie-St. Eustache Fiber Optic Technology Trial.