Planters Broadband, a southeast Georgia telecommunications cooperative, has selected Ribbon Communications to spearhead a comprehensive modernisation of its transport network. The cooperative will deploy Ribbon’s Apollo 9608 optical networking platform and Muse multilayer automation suite to establish a high-capacity, 800G-ready optical route.
The upgrade represents a significant leap for the cooperative, which has served rural Georgia since 1950. By moving from limited fixed optics to scalable coherent services, Planters aims to eliminate the need for future "forklift upgrades" as demand for bandwidth across its 10,000-subscriber base continues to surge.
Optical network automation and scalability in Georgia
The deployment focuses on operational simplicity through the Muse platform, which provides centralised orchestration, faster fault isolation, and optical performance intelligence. This automation is critical for rural cooperatives managing expansive networks with lean engineering teams.
Stephen Milner, CEO of Planters Broadband says: "Ribbon’s combination of advanced optical solutions and a flexible commercial approach made this decision straightforward. This new route is just the beginning of our broader modernisation efforts."
A 75-year legacy of rural connectivity in America
Established at a community meeting in 1950, Planters has a long history of infrastructure milestones, from its first REA-funded lines in 1952 to launching fibre-optic links in 1995. This latest modernisation ensures the cooperative remains the provider of choice for residences and businesses in Screven and Effingham Counties.
Elizabeth Page, Regional Senior Sales Director at Ribbon, adds: "We are pleased to support Planters with a framework that enables a seamless transition to modern coherent services, ultimately improving the experience for their rural communities."
