Austereo, Australia's largest FM radio business, was last week announced as the winner of this year’s ATUG Award for Best Communications Solution for a Large Business after implementing a new Panaseer integrated voice and data network connecting 14 radio stations and its research facility across all Australian mainland capital cities.

The Panaseer ATM based network replaced Austereo’s previous frame relay network which was found to be unreliable, inefficient and could not cope with voice traffic. Austereo recognised the need to partner with a specialist telecommunications provider to design and manage their new integrated network to ensure they received the quality of service and reliability expected by all elements of Austereo’s business.

Playing a vital role in Austereo’s market research, programming, advertising and administration business operations, the network is proactively and comprehensively monitored by Panaseer’s EasyStreet Facilities Management (FM) service.

EasyStreet FM provides 24 x 7 network management. Panaseer’s network specialists monitor and report monthly on network utilisation, performance and recommendations for improvements. Austereo also receives on-site maintenance of equipment and carrier links.

The Panaseer managed network allows Austereo’s small IT department to focus on core business activities knowing that Panaseer has the technical skill and resources to manage and maintain their integrated network.

Whilst many companies have now developed integrated voice and data networks, the Austereo network presented unique challenges due to the time critical and delay sensitive nature of the FM broadcast quality audio. The ATM network designed and managed by Panaseer addresses the particular requirements highlighted by Austereo to deliver a network which interfaces with the enterprise on three layers to support administrative data, compressed voice tie lines, and FM broadcast quality audio at a reduced telecommunications cost.

Austereo received the ATUG award for achieving the holy grail of all broadcast organizations - a complete integration of data, voice and real time broadcast audio throughout the nationwide network with a major reduction in telecommunication costs.