ANN ARBOR – Merit Network announced the completion of approximately 292 additional miles of their REACH-3MC fiber-optic network build-out.
Merit completed and activated the optical network equipment used to “light” the newly installed fiber to provide network services, on the following segments; Centreville to Berrien Springs (66 miles), Mount Pleasant to Prudenville (87 miles), Gaylord to Hillman (57 miles), Hart to Scottville (43 miles), and Scottville to Luther (39 miles).
The fiber-optic cable lit today is part of the REACH-3MC “mainline.” Led by Merit, the goal of REACH-3MC project is to construct fiber-optic infrastructure that connects communities together. In the process, Merit connects community anchor institutions (schools, libraries, health care, government, public safety) by way of “laterals,” or spurs, from the mainline.
These segments contain thirty one community anchor institutions receiving lateral connections along the completed network segments announced today. With the mainline now lit, Merit will coordinate with those institutions to work through their transition to the new and improved network service.
“I am proud that we are able to announce the lighting of these segments,” said Donald Welch, President and CEO for Merit. “The optical equipment activated today will give Merit the ability to light multiple 10 gigabit (Gbps) waves for communities along these segments. Merit Member anchor institutions along these routes will have 1 gigabit (Gbps) network connection to Merit’s network. We are excited about what this project means to our community and for Michigan. It has been a tremendous effort, but absolutely worth it when you look at the payoff to our members.”
Earlier, Merit lit segments between Berrien Springs and Hart.
