Historic Church Deploys New IP Phone System in Less Than Two Days

Historic Church Leverages Its Existing Infrastructure to Achieve a Quick, Smooth, and Cost-Effective IP Phone Deployment

3-minute read time 

Summary 

• A historic church built in 1893 needed to upgrade 35 phones to IP. 

• The church wanted to avoid the trap of the traditional rip and replace approach to reduce costs while adhering to historic building preservation requirements. 

• Nuance Inc. used NVT Phybridge PoE innovations to deploy the new IP phones using the existing and proven voice infrastructure, avoiding unnecessary costs, complexity, and disruption. 

• The new IP phone system was deployed in just a day and a half, achieving a sustainable digital transformation by reusing existing infrastructure and protecting the historic site. 

Challenge 

A historic church in Indiana, established in 1893, faced a critical need to upgrade its communication system, as it relied on an aging Nortel phone system spanning multiple buildings, including the church office, school, and community building. This system relied on outdated onboard clocks and batteries that, once depleted, wiped all memory during power outages. As a historically preserved site listed on the National Register of Historic Places, any construction work, such as trenching through limestone for new cables, was not an option. The challenge was to find a cost-effective, non-disruptive method to deploy the new IP phone system without altering the building. 

Solution 

Nuance Inc., the reseller partner, recommended NVT Phybridge Power over Ethernet (PoE) network innovations. Having leveraged NVT Phybridge network innovations in past IP deployments with great success, Nuance Inc. was confident in the solution’s performance, capabilities, and ability to create better project outcomes for the church. NVT Phybridge PoLRE switches transformed the church’s existing CAT3-based network into a robust, secure backbone for the new IP phones. This approach allowed the church to deploy IP phones without invasive construction that could jeopardize the building’s historic status. The installation process was non-invasive, leveraging the existing 66 blocks and copper wiring to connect the new IP phones efficiently. 

The PoLRE switch innovation delivers Ethernet and PoE over Single-Pair UTP cabling with up to 1,200ft (365m) reach – four times the reach of standard Ethernet switches. Nuance Inc. used the NVT Phybridge PoLRE switch innovation to help the church avoid costly network infrastructure updates and reduce project risk, complexity, and disruption – creating better digital transformation outcomes for all stakeholders. 

Result 

The deployment was completed in just a day and a half, significantly faster than the original estimate, which could have taken months due to permit processes and extensive contractor coordination. By avoiding the need to trench through parking lots or bore new conduits, the project preserved the church’s historical integrity, minimized disruption to daily operations, and improved the project’s ROI. Financially, the church significantly reduced network readiness costs, while the quick turnaround ensured minimal disruption. The new IP phone system prevents issues related to power outages or memory loss, problems that had plagued the outdated Nortel system. This was particularly important given the technical constraints of the previous setup, which severely limited the church’s communication capabilities. The NVT Phybridge PoLRE network innovation fully addressed the customer’s concerns, providing the church with a modern, scalable, and sustainable communication network that can support its changing needs well into the future. 

Sustainability 

By reusing the existing CAT3-based infrastructure, the church protected its historical heritage and avoided the environmental impact and costs of new construction. The result was a modern, reliable communication system that serves the church’s current and future needs while preserving its historic character. This case exemplifies how NVT Phybridge technology can deliver innovative solutions that respect and protect landmark sites while enabling them to benefit from the latest IP capabilities. 

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.