[September 04, 2012] Dairyland Power Cooperative Leverages FreeWave Wireless Data Radios Tweet Sep 04, 2012 (Close-Up Media via COMTEX) -- FreeWave Technologies, manufacturer of spread spectrum and licensed radios, announced that it has deployed wireless radios for La Crosse, Wisconsin-based Dairyland Power Cooperative, a wholesale electric supplier. According to a release, Dairyland uses FreeWave's FGR-115 serial radios for a variety of distribution automation applications. It also uses FreeWave's HTPlus radios for certain applications requiring more effective throughput. The cooperative serves more than 600,000 customers in a service area of 45,000 square miles. Dairyland provides wholesale electricity to 25 member distribution cooperatives and 16 municipal utilities in four states (Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois). "FreeWave has been a trusted partner for several years and we continue to depend on its wireless data radio solutions for critical data transmission," said Ken Graves, manager of telecommunications services at Dairyland Power. "Most of our customers live in rural communities. Prior to using FreeWave radios, we researched a variety of potential vendors. It was essential to find a communication solution that was proven to transmit reliable data on a real-time basis, despite remote locations, a hilly landscape and steep terrain. Not only did FreeWave radios prove to have effective throughput, link performance and noise immunity, but they were easily integrated into our existing network. We are pleased with the radios we have deployed and are considering FreeWave for future wireless data radio needs." When Dairyland first implemented FreeWave radios it deployed a small installation base of FGR-115 radios. Based on the performance of the initial deployment, a decision was then made to expand the FreeWave radio network, the company said. FreeWave solutions are currently being used for a variety of distribution automation applications including AMI backhaul, transmission capacitor bank control, transmission line sectionalizing, and fault detection and isolation. "We are pleased to provide wireless data radio solutions to Dairyland Power Cooperative," said Curt Goldman, market manager of utilities at FreeWave Technologies. "FreeWave strives to provide the most trusted solution for distribution automation applications, and our entire team, from the engineers to the factory to customer support, works hard to ensure we are meeting all of our customer's needs. We look forward to a continued partnership with Dairyland Power." More information: www.freewave.com ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]