Press Release
The recognition follows Midco and Nokia’s successful execution of one of the largest connectivity projects in Midco’s history.
News provided by: Midco
Following the successful delivery of a historic 400G connectivity solution supporting AI infrastructure in North Dakota, Nokia has named Midco the recipient of its Breakthrough Award, recognizing exceptional innovation, execution and partnership.
“Over many years, Nokia and Midco have developed a partnership grounded in trust, collaboration and a shared willingness to take on complex challenges,” said John Czeban, Nokia’s VP of MSO sales. “This relationship is not just about supplying technology. It is about working together to build the network capabilities that allow Midco to pursue and secure new opportunities.”
The recognition follows Midco and Nokia’s successful execution of one of the largest connectivity projects in Midco’s history. In May, the companies announced a multistate connectivity agreement supporting critical AI infrastructure in Ellendale, North Dakota. Together, both companies delivered:
- 200 terabits per second of total bandwidth
- More than 500 individual 400-gigabit service circuits
- 225 optical shelves deployed across 45 pallets of equipment
- Initial services within six weeks of contract signing
- Full 200-terabit capacity in just four-and-a-half months
In July, Midco completed the project and transferred operational control of the connectivity routes to its client. The effort required close coordination across engineering, operations, procurement, sales, strategy, logistics and partner organizations. Leaders from Nokia and Midco gathered in Sioux Falls to celebrate the project’s success and present the award.
“The successful delivery of the Switch connectivity solution resulted from long-term investments in infrastructure, engineering, relationships and capabilities,” said Midco president and COO Ben Dold. “It became one of the most transformational opportunities our company has pursued in more than 95 years. It supports the rapidly growing AI and hyperscale ecosystem in our region and positions Midco in an entirely new category of connectivity leadership.”
Dold thanked the Midco team for their commitment to delivering a solution on a compressed timeline and Nokia for their trust and partnership.
“Delivering critical infrastructure for hyperscale and AI workloads requires partners who can innovate, execute and solve problems alongside you. Nokia helped us do exactly that,” Dold said. “The expertise, technology and support Nokia brought to this effort were instrumental in turning a bold vision into a real-world solution. We are honored to receive this award and look forward to the next phase of network growth and partnership.”
The award underscores Midco’s growing role in supporting large-scale AI, cloud and hyperscale connectivity initiatives throughout the region and reflects the company’s continued investment in next-generation network capabilities. Learn more about the extensive coverage, 400G circuit options and 24/7 support provided by Midco’s Wholesale team.
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