Recent Stimulus Webcast
Connecting to the REACH-3MC Network
If you are a K-12 organization, higher education organization, library, government location, health care organization,
or non-profit, please use the Institution Interest Form to inquire about connecting to the REACH-3MC network.
If you are a for-profit business or household, please use the Broadband Subscriber Interest Form for information about connectivity.
REACH-3MC Sub-recipients
Merit Network and its REACH-3MC sub-recipients are working to improve broadband in Michigan.
If you are wondering if an organization is participating with Merit on this project, please ask
by e-mailing .
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Merit Network Begins Fiber Construction on REACH-3MC II in the Upper PeninsulaEqual Access to Information one step closer to reality for Michigan's Upper Peninsula
Merit Network announced today the beginning of construction for their REACH-3MC II fiber-optic infrastructure project in the Upper Peninsula. Earlier in the month Merit contractor CCI Systems of Iron Mountain began construction of a segment of the REACH-3MC fiber-optic network in Houghton and Ontonagon Counties. According to Bob Stovall, vice-president of network operations and engineering additional segments in Bruce Crossing, Rockland, and Toivola, Michigan have also been released for construction over the past week.
Merit received its "Findings of No Significant Impact" or FONSI from National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on July 29, 2011, clearing the way for permitting to proceed for the REACH-3MC II project. Permitting for the Round II portion of the project has been progressing at a very rapid pace according to Stovall. "This rapid progress is largely due to the landscape in the Upper Peninsula, which has far fewer utility poles, meaning that a large portion of the construction in this area will be underground fiber construction, requiring less permitting and make-ready of existing utility poles."
Merit announced other significant milestone for the project this week, announcing the deployment of ADVA Optical Networking equipment at 16 nodes on the Merit backbone. Of these nodes, 11 are located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The nodes installed in the Upper Peninsula span a segment of Merit's backbone that connects Merit Governing Members, Lake Superior State University (LSSU), Northern Michigan University (NMU) and Michigan Technological University (MTU), from Sault Ste. Marie to Marquette and Houghton, Michigan. The deployment of the equipment enables Merit to light 374 miles of current infrastructure and provide LSSU, NMU and MTU with a 10 Gbps (gigabits per second) connection to Merit's network. This upgrade is a significant increase from the universities previous 1 Gbps connections.
Other happenings in the Upper Peninsula included an announcement by Governor Snyder in October, that Merit had completed an agreement with the Mackinac Bridge Authority to purchase a significant quantity of fiber-optic cable running across the Mackinac Bridge, connecting Michigan's two peninsulas. Merit Network president and CEO, Don Welch added "Merit has long been guided by a vision of equal access to information for all Michigan citizens—regardless of geographic location," and I believe that we are beginning to see significant progress in achieving this goal for the Upper Peninsula, and the rest of the state."
Last Modified: 2012-02-01 10:32:09
Merit Network Begins Deployment of REACH-3MC Optical EquipmentADVA Optical Networking equipment increases speeds to 10G, enables immediate transition to REACH-3MC infrastructure
Merit Network, Inc. is pleased to announce the deployment of ADVA Optical Networking equipment at 16 nodes on the Merit backbone. The equipment, which consists of routers, switches and optical transport gear, will improve service to several community anchor institutions that are current Merit Members. The equipment will also interconnect with Merit's REACH-3MC network build-out, enabling the fast turn-up of hundreds more community anchors as the fiber is constructed.
"I am very excited to announce the successful deployment of the first phase of the REACH-3MC optical platform," said Michael Milliken, director of network engineering and operations for Merit Network. "The ADVA Optical Networking equipment, which we have placed at critical nodes on our current backbone, will enable immediate 10 Gbps access as we continue to build out the REACH-3M project."
"Merit understands the positive impact that network technology can have on communities," said John Scherzinger, senior vice president of sales North America at ADVA Optical Networking. "We are proud to play a role in supporting this important network activation milestone with Merit, clearly demonstrating the scalability, intelligence and operational simplicity of ADVA Optical Networking's FSP-3000 DWDM optical transport technology."
Of the 16 optical nodes where new equipment has been deployed, 11 are located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula (UP). They span a segment of Merit's backbone that connects Merit Governing Members, Lake Superior State University (LSSU), Northern Michigan University (NMU) and Michigan Technological University (MTU), from Sault Ste. Marie to Marquette and Houghton, Michigan.
Merit's engineering team lit the new equipment in the UP last week. With its successful deployment, LSSU, NMU and MTU now have 10 Gbps (gigabits per second) connections to Merit's network. That's a tenfold increase in speed from their previous 1 Gbps connection.
Merit's Governing Members are not the only organizations that will benefit from the ADVA upgrade.
"Providing high-speed bandwidth in the Upper Peninsula will no longer be a problem, something the region has struggled with for quite some time," said Elwood Downing, vice president of Member Relations, Communications and Services for Merit Network.
"Because multiple nodes that received upgraded equipment in the UP interconnect with Merit's REACH-3MC network build-out, community anchor institutions in the region, both current and new Merit Members, will have immediate access to advanced technology and the fastest speeds as REACH-3MC construction continues to accelerate."
In the Lower Peninsula, Merit has installed upgraded ADVA equipment at optical nodes in Mt. Pleasant, Grand Rapids and Muskegon, though these sites have not been lit at this time. Upgraded equipment will also be installed in Big Rapids once a renovation on the site that will house the equipment is completed. Merit plans to lite these four nodes before the end of the first quarter 2012.
Merit Network has long held a vision of equal access to information everywhere in Michigan, regardless of geographic location. The equipment upgrades and fiber-optic network extension through REACH-3MC will help make that vision a reality, providing the same access and level of service in rural areas like the Upper Peninsula as metropolitan areas in other regions of Michigan.
Last Modified: 2011-12-19 16:34:24
Merit Network Announces Fiber-Optic Construction Vendors for REACH-3MC IISix Michigan companies selected to construct fiber-optic network extension that will improve education and economic development
November 16, 2011
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Merit Network, Inc. is pleased to announce today the selection of six Michigan-based contractors that will perform outside plant (OSP) construction for Merit's Round 2 REACH-3MC broadband stimulus project.
As part of the Round 2 REACH-3MC project, Merit will construct 1,270 miles of open-access, advanced fiber-optic infrastructure through rural and underserved communities in Michigan's Northern Lower and Upper Peninsulas.
"Merit is proud to announce these contractors who will join us on this project that will make a tremendous difference in Michigan," said Merit President and CEO, Don Welch. "The benefits of REACH-3MC II to community anchor institutions and economic development will improve the quality of life in Northern Michigan."
"This is a powerful example of Michigan companies working together to benefit communities throughout Michigan," said Merit's Vice President of Network Operations and Engineering, Bob Stovall. "I am very excited to work with each of these organizations as we set out to create better resources for our state, and in the process, create jobs that will benefit the local economy."
REACH-3MC II fiber will improve education and quality of life in the service areas by connecting community anchor institutions to Merit's high-performance network. The participation of commercial sub-recipients, who will own strands at various intervals in the network, will improve service to homes and businesses. And because the infrastructure is open-access, it will support local ISPs with new, affordable backhaul options.
REACH-3MC II infrastructure will take the form of what is commonly referred to as a "condo build" in the telecommunications industry. Merit Network, having planned the network and applied for and received a grant, will be the owner of record for the fiber sheath and will be responsible for construction and maintenance. Within the fiber sheath, both Merit and commercial sub-recipients will own strands of fiber, creating separate networks within the same sheath.
The six contractors who will help to bring about the transformative power of broadband to communities throughout rural Michigan are:
AMcomm Telecommunications, Inc. of White Lake, Michigan
www.amcomminc.com
CCI Systems of Iron Mountain, Michigan
www.ccisystems.com
Earthcom of Lansing, Michigan
http://earthcom.us
Fiber Link of Lapeer, Michigan
www.fiberlinkinc.com
J. Ranck Electric, Inc. of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
www.jranck.com
Western Tel-Com of Holland, Michigan
www.westerntel-com.com
The contractors announced today were selected from a number of qualified vendors that responded to a Request for Proposals (RFP) Merit issued in April 2011. They will complete aerial and underground construction, installing conduit and deploying fiber through various segments of the network build.
Last Modified: 2011-11-17 17:11:52
Progress Report Archive
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For a progress update for a city along the REACH-3MC fiber-optic network routes,
please select a city below:
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