Merit Network Announces REACH-3MC Webcast Update on Monday, November 19

Text Version

Site Map

Network

News

Events

Home

News and Press Releases - Merit Network, Inc.

Merit Network Announces REACH-3MC Webcast Update on Monday, November 19

November 13, 2012

By Greg Monroe

REACH-3MC and ARRA logos

ANN ARBOR, MI - Merit Network, Inc. announced today that a webcast will take place on Monday, November 19, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. The webcast will update the public on Merit Network's implementation of the REACH-3MC Round I and Round II projects.

Merit Network, Inc. is in the process of completing a fiber-optic network extension of over 2,200 miles throughout the state of Michigan as well as spurs into Wisconsin and Minnesota. This network is being constructed with the assistance of two American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) - Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grants in the amount of $102 million along with a 20 percent match in funds from Merit and its seven sub-recipients. The REACH-3MC project is one of the largest BTOP projects in the country and is expected to serve 52 counties in Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas.

The webcast on November 19 will provide a comprehensive update on Merit's progress on the REACH-3MC project, including community outreach, final stages of the REACH-3MC Round I construction completion, and a construction update on the REACH-3MC Round II project. The audience will be able to submit questions by email during the webcast, which will be answered on air.

To watch the webcast, please register at:

www.merit.edu/webcast/

About Merit Network

Merit Network Inc., a nonprofit corporation owned and governed by Michigan's public universities, owns and operates America's longest-running regional research and education network. In 1966, Michigan's public universities created Merit as a shared resource to help meet their common need for networking assistance. Since its formation, Merit Network has remained on the forefront of research and education networking expertise and services. Merit provides high-performance networking solutions to Michigan's public universities, colleges, K-12 organizations, libraries, state government, healthcare, and other non-profit organizations.

For more information: www.merit.edu

About REACH-3MC

The REACH Michigan Middle Mile Collaborative (REACH-3MC) will build 2,287 miles of open-access, advanced fiber-optic network through rural and underserved communities in Michigan's Lower and Upper Peninsulas. The network will also provide backhaul to key connection points in Wisconsin and Minnesota. REACH-3MC will connect 105 community anchor institutions as the network is built and will pass 900 more over time. Led by Merit Network, Michigan's research and education network, REACH-3MC includes sub-recipients from the private sector to make broadband readily available to households and businesses that lack adequate service options in the 52 counties that make up the project service area. REACH-3MC is funded by a grant from the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), commonly referenced as the Stimulus Package.

For more information: www.merit.edu/meritformichigan

Go to the Merit Network News Archive.