Government Health Department Avoids the Trap During Communications Upgrade

Department of Health Deploys Mitel IP Phone System Without High Costs, Complexity, or Disruption 

3-minute read time 

Summary 

• A government health department needed to replace its aging Avaya PBX phone system but felt trapped with high infrastructure costs and operational disruption risks. 

• Chesapeake Telephone Systems (CTS) leveraged NVT Phybridge network innovations to help the department modernize its communications while avoiding the costly and disruptive “rip-and-replace” of its existing, proven network infrastructure. 

• CTS deployed a new on-premises Mitel IP communications system with 285 IP phones in under a week, delivering rapid implementation with minimal downtime, cost, and operational disruption. 

• By reusing the existing network infrastructure, the department significantly reduced electronic waste and minimized the project’s environmental impact — achieving both technological and sustainability goals. 

Problem 

A government health department in the Northeastern United States was operating an aging Avaya PBX phone system that no longer met its communication needs. Recurring charges for outdated Verizon ISDN circuits added to the inefficiencies, with some services no longer in use. While the department was ready to modernize to a Mitel IP voice solution, they also felt trapped, thinking they had to rip and replace existing infrastructure. Running new network cabling throughout the main building and addressing additional IDF closet requirements would have been time-consuming, costly, and highly disruptive to daily operations. 

Solution 

Chesapeake Telephone Systems (CTS) recommended the NVT Phybridge PoLRE long-reach PoE switch innovation to overcome these challenges. With years of experience using NVT Phybridge technology, CTS bypassed the need for a pilot by leveraging past successful deployments. The 48-port PoLRE managed switches enabled the deployment of 285 Mitel IP phones across the main and annex buildings using the existing CAT3-based infrastructure in the main building. NVT Phybridge PoLRE switches provide robust power and data over any new or existing single-pair UTP infrastructure with up to four times the reach of standard switches. This strategy helped the health department avoid the costly, disruptive trap of a network rip-and-replace.

CTS completed the hardware installation and configuration within four days, following weeks of strategic planning and system programming. Thanks to the simplified solution, the team maintained a clean, efficient deployment, keeping staff at their workstations and minimizing operational disruptions.

Result 

The PoLRE switch innovation enabled a swift and seamless transition to IP voice communications without the high cost, complexity, and disruption associated with a rip-and-replace approach. The health department avoided the complex and invasive process of addressing new IDF closet requirements and pulling new cables, which would have disrupted workspaces, ceilings, and possibly floor plates. 

The CTS team estimates that NVT Phybridge network innovations saved more than a week of deployment time, over 80 hours of labor, and significant financial savings. “The NVT Phybridge solution allowed us to deliver an efficient and cost-effective IP phone deployment for the government health department, exceeding their expectations while avoiding the high costs and disruption of a network overhaul,” said Barry Brill of CTS. 

Sustainability 

NVT Phybridge network innovations helped the government health department reduce the environmental footprint of its digital transformation project by extending the life of existing infrastructure assets and avoiding the waste associated with ripping and replacing network infrastructure. This approach not only supported the department’s operational goals but also aligned with broader sustainability practices that focus on minimizing electronic waste and improving environmental health for residents. 

About Chesapeake Telephone Systems (CTS) 

Simple, Secure, AI-Ready Communications. For more than 40 years, CTS has been a trusted, family-operated partner delivering award-winning business communications across the Mid-Atlantic. With over 5,000 customers, we help organizations connect, communicate, and compete with confidence.  

As a local, single-source provider, CTS designs and supports innovative voice and IT solutions that simplify technology management. Combining deep regional roots with enterprise-class expertise, we provide the simple, secure, AI-ready communications businesses need to thrive in today’s fast-moving world. CTS brings global-leading technology together with unmatched local service.  

About NVT Phybridge 

Our mission is to help organizations maximize their IP migration return on investment by providing high-quality network solutions that are robust, secure, simple to implement, and environmentally responsible. NVT Phybridge is a global leader in PoE network innovations that eliminate the reach and cable type limitations of traditional PoE switches. Our diverse and award-winning portfolio of long-reach PoE switches and extenders help organizations deploy the latest IP technologies over any new or existing single-pair UTP, coax, multi-pair UTP, or 2-wire infrastructure without high costs, complexity, business disruption, or security concerns.