May 13, 2011
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Merit Network, Inc. has selected ADVA Optical Networking as vendor of choice for optical hardware on Merit’s Round 2 Broadband Stimulus project, REACH-3MC II. ADVA Optical Networking has been awarded the contract for the second round through a sole-source justification process.
In September 2010, ADVA Optical Networking was selected as the vendor for optical hardware on Merit’s Round 1 REACH-3MC project from a number of qualified vendors that responded to a Request for Proposal (RFP) Merit issued in March 2010.
After extensive review of the Round 1 RFP responses and careful consideration of the project resource allocations, the Merit technical team recommended to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which administers grant funding and provides oversight for both Round 1 and Round 2 REACH-3MC projects, that a sole source procurement model be used for Round 2 REACH-3MC II optical hardware procurement.
The dark fiber footprint for the Round 1 REACH-3MC deployment will be built on an advanced ADVA Optical Networking platform that meets Merit’s needs of today and scales exceptionally well into the future. The Round 2 REACH-3MC network will interconnect and interoperate with the first round network, and this is only possible if the REACH-3MC II network is deployed using the same hardware and affiliated network management software from the company.
“The ADVA Optical Networking platform meets our immediate needs for a 40 channel system and has the ability to offer native 10 Gbps waves today,” said Bob Stovall, vice president of Network Engineering and Operations for Merit Network. “Additionally, with this system in place, it will be possible to upgrade to 40 Gbps and 100 Gbps with no optical layer changes.”
“We have been pleased working with ADVA Optical Networking on our Round 1 project and look forward to working with them on Round 2,” he added.
“ADVA Optical Networking is proud to build this important network with Merit,” stated Brian Savory, director of business development for ADVA Optical Networking. “We look forward to working with the Merit team to complete the Round I and II implementations of the REACH-3MC network.”
About Merit Network
Merit Network Inc., is a nonprofit corporation owned and governed by Michigan’s public universities. Merit 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 at the forefront of research and education networking expertise and services. Merit provides high-performance networking and IT 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 II
The REACH Michigan Middle Mile Collaborative II (REACH-3MC II) will build 1,270 miles of open-access, advanced fiber-optic network through rural and underserved communities in Michigan’s Upper and Northern Lower Peninsulas, with key interconnection points in Minnesota and Wisconsin. REACH-3MC II will connect 61 community anchor institutions as the network is built, and will avail improved service to hundreds more in the process. Led by Merit Network, Michigan’s research and education network, REACH-3MC engages sub-recipients from the private sector to make broadband readily available to households and businesses that lack adequate service options in the 38 counties that make up the project service area. REACH-3MC II 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.
About ADVA Optical Networking
ADVA Optical Networking is a global provider of intelligent telecommunications infrastructure solutions. With software-automated Optical+Ethernet transmission technology, the Company builds the foundation for high-speed, next-generation networks. The Company’s FSP product family adds scalability and intelligence to our customers’ networks while removing complexity and cost. With a flexible and fast-moving organization, ADVA Optical Networking forges close partnerships with its customers to meet the growing demand for data, storage, voice and video services. Thanks to reliable performance for more than 15 years, the Company has become a trusted partner for more than 250 carriers and 10,000 enterprises across the globe.
For more information: www.advaoptical.com
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