Case Study

Premium Connectivity Delivered Fast: TerraNova Reduces Fiber Costs by 70% with Comtrend’s OpenPON Solution

“Comtrend’s solution was a game-changer—fast, cost-effective, and seamless. We got premium connectivity, full control, and huge savings, all in just four weeks.

Dylan Billmaier
Chief Technology Officer
TerraNova Equestrian Center

OpenPON: How TerraNova Brought Premium WiFi to Guests—On Time and Under Budget

  • TerraNova, a premier equestrian center, was expanding its services to include guest lodging—and needed to deliver high-performance WiFi, fast.

     

  • With major events approaching, they required a solution that matched their premium brand and could be operational in weeks, not months.

     

  • Comtrend delivered with OpenPON—an open, low-cost fiber architecture that eliminates vendor lock-in. Comtrend’s ONTs integrated seamlessly with the Ciena MicroPlug OLT, reducing equipment needs and enabling full deployment just four weeks after the initial request. Paired with Comtrend’s WiFi 6 Ethernet Gateway, the solution delivered rock-solid, high-speed connectivity.

     

  • The result? Significant cost savings, scalable infrastructure, and zero guest complaints since launch.

70% Cost
Savings

Up and Running
in 4 Weeks

Superior WiFi
Coverage & Speeds

See how OpenPON saves
you costs on Fiber

We’re dedicated to helping you! Please complete this form or contact us at one of the methods below and we’ll reach out to you as soon as we can.

Background

Phase 1: Required 20 Lodging Sites Equipped with High-Performance Wireless

TerraNova Equestrian Center, a premier destination for equestrian enthusiasts, was expanding its services to include guest lodging. With Phase 1 introducing 20 rental RV cabins—each sleeping up to 6 guests—TerraNova needed a fast, cost-effective, and scalable fiber solution to deliver premium internet and entertainment experiences. Time was critical—with major equestrian events on the horizon, the network had to be fully operational in weeks, not months. Cell service in the campground is often spotty, making high-quality WiFi essential for both guests and staff.

The Challenge:

Competing solutions fell short

  • They were cost-prohibitive, requiring over $100K in hardware plus substantial annual licensing fees

  • They relied on large aggregation switches, adding expense, complexity, and cooling requirements—unsuitable for smaller, distributed deployments

  • They lacked the scalability and flexibility needed to grow without major infrastructure changes

Results & Benefits

Enhanced Guest Experience

  • Delivered fast, reliable WiFi throughout all lodging areas—including full coverage inside RV cabins, on decks, and surrounding outdoor spaces
  • Enabled live streaming of equestrian events, seamless access to streaming services, and Wi-Fi calling with zero guest complaints

Significant Cost Savings & Rapid Deployment

  • Reduced costs by 70% compared to traditional solutions
  • Lowered ongoing licensing fees, avoiding the burden of legacy systems
  • Fully deployed in just 4 weeks, meeting aggressive timelines with ease

Operational Flexibility

  • Remote management and monitoring were simple, enabling easy oversight from Day 1- giving TerraNova full control
  • Rapid, plug-and-play setup allowed seamless rollout of units—an essential factor for keeping pace with fast-moving development and event deadlines

Solution Elements

TerraNova chose Comtrend’s OpenPON solution, which provided an optimal balance of affordability, performance, and scalability. The solution included:

MCMS Management System *

A user-friendly platform for seamless network management.

Ciena OpenPON MicroPlug OLT *

A compact, cost-effective, scalable architecture that delivers 10 Gigabit XGS-PON.

Comtrend XGS-PON ONTs

Reliable fiber-to-the-room connectivity.

Comtrend XGS-PON ONTs

High-performance wireless connectivity for guests.

*Not sold by Comtrend

Network Architecture Diagram

Phase One: Completed

1:20 Sites

Phase Two: Upcoming

1:40 Sites

Solution Elements:
A Closer Look

MCMS Management System

The MicroClimate Management System (MCMS) provides full visibility and control across your PON network. It combines essential monitoring, diagnostics, and provisioning in a single, intuitive platform.

  • Dashboard view with a summary of PON network conditions
  • Device monitoring and statistics
  • Device provisioning and management
  • Logging for diagnostics and troubleshooting

Ciena MicroPlug OLT

The Ciena MicroPlug OLT enables high-density 10G fiber deployments without the bulk or cost of traditional chassis-based systems.

  • Supports up to 128 subscribers per OLT
  • Compact design: 60% less space, 40% energy savings
  • Pairs seamlessly with MCMS for streamlined management
  • 10G XGS/10GE-PON optics for scalable, cost-efficient fiber

GRG-4286 – XGS-PON ONT

The GRG-4286 is a high-speed, standards-based ONT designed for 10G residential and business deployments. Fully interoperable with the Ciena MicroPlug OLT.

  • 10G XGS-PON
  • 10 Gigabit Ethernet LAN
  • OMCI, TR-069 Support, HTTP, HTTPS, TELNET, SSH

PRT-6302 – Ethernet WiFi 6 Gateway

The PRT-6302 delivers premium WiFi 6 performance, ideal for video streaming and device-dense environments. Designed for coverage, speed, and manageability.

  • WiFi 6 up to AX6000
  • 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet WAN
  • Ultra High Power TX (up to 1W) for extended coverage
  • TR-069 support for remote management

Interested in learning more about this solution?

We’re dedicated to helping you! Please complete this form or contact us at one of the methods below and we’ll reach out to you as soon as we can.

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