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Bluebird Network, which operates two data centers and over 11,000 miles of fiber, has announced the completion of a fiber-optic cable that crosses underneath the Mississippi River, connecting St. Louis to Illinois.
Diversity and redundancy are the two main benefits of Bluebird Network’s new fiber-optic cable crossing beneath the Mississippi River, according to the firm’s president and CEO.
Bluebird Network, which is also building a long-haul route connecting St. Louis and Tulsa, announced the completion of their fiber river crossing this week, and reported that steps were taken to protect indigenous rights during the project.
To complete the project, which runs 100 feet under the Mississippi River, Bluebird partnered with geotechnical engineering firms, boring companies, splicing and data contractors, and archaeologists, the company’s Feb. 21 announcement stated. The partnerships helped Bluebird “ensure there was no destruction of the indigenous history in the area around the boring site.”
“This type of alternative underground crossing is something that sets Bluebird apart from our competition and supporting customers in accomplishing their endeavors is something we’re very proud to offer,” said Michael Morey, the president and CEO of Bluebird, according to Bluebird’s announcement.
Bluebird’s announcement said the company has partnered with “a major hyperscaler and social media company,” though they did not name the company in their release. Bluebird’s release said they were chosen for the partnership because of Bluebird’s positive reputation in the Midwest and “the ability to exercise sovereignty over its own fiber.”
“Network providers have a distinct advantage when controlling their own fiber in a new or existing market,” said Jamie Scott, Bluebird’s director of outside plant engineering. “It’s not only good for their business model and their shareholders, but also their users.”
According to Bluebird, the long-haul connection between Tulsa and St. Louis, which is being supported by grants from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, will enable connectivity in underserved areas of Missouri and Oklahoma, and fortify connectivity into the Bluebird Underground Data Center in Springfield, Missouri.
