News

A planned long-haul fiber route from Grand Rapids to Lansing will improve connectivity in Michigan, network designers say.

By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities

A Michigan connectivity provider has announced plans to build a redundant, long-haul fiber route from Grand Rapids to Lansing.

The company behind the plans, 123NET, has put $11 million into the project.

According to 123NET, construction on the route, planned to be totally underground, will continue for the next 24 months.

The provider’s recent announcement made mention of the existing fiber route between Grand Rapids and Lansing.

“That fiber is over two decades old, has a limited number of fibers, and includes extensive aerial segments,” the release stated.

Chuck Irvin, 123NET’s CRO, in comments included with 123NET’s announcement, said the firm’s planned fiber route will not just follow the shortest path.

“Rather than simply following the shortest path between Grand Rapids and Lansing, it will extend north and south to reach underserved and unserved communities,” Irvin said.

According to Irvin, the project represents a final step 123NET’s larger goal of connecting Detroit and Chicago.

“This segment closes the final gap, ensuring a continuous high-capacity fiber route along a newly diversified path between cities,” Irvin said.

As highlighted in 123NET’s announcement, the provider has made significant investment into Michigan in recent years.

In addition to other projects, the company is responsible for a fiber network constructed in downtown Kalamazoo and the launching of the Grand Rapids Internet Exchange.

Back in July, 123NET also made headlines when Grain Management finalized their acquisition of a majority investment in 123NET.

As part of the deal, 123NET’s leadership team stayed put and kept management positions, Broadband Communities previously reported.

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