Merit Network Selects Outside Plant Engineering Contractor for REACH-3MC II
Ann Arbor-based Merit Network Inc. has selected Iron Mountain-based CCI Systems as its outside plant engineering contractor for its Round 2 stimulus broadband expansion project, REACH-3MC II.
In a selection process that began with a request for proposals last summer, Merit determined that CCI could deliver the most competitive solution for the engineering needs of the REACH-3MC II project, which will build 1,270 miles of open-access, advanced fiber-optic network through rural and underserved communities in Michigan's Northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula, with key interconnection points in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
"CCI Systems brings to the project extensive experience working in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Wisconsin and Minnesota," said Bob Stovall, vice president, network operations and engineering for Merit Network. "Their knowledge of the terrain, geography and conditions of these northern areas will be an asset moving forward. Additionally, CCI offers breadth and depth of industry experience, having worked in some capacity with all of the top MSOs (Multiple System Operators) in the United States and maintained relationships with major equipment vendors to stay current on related technologies."
Merit Network 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
The REACH Michigan Middle Mile Collaborative II will build 1,270 miles of open-access, advanced fiber-optic network through rural and underserved communities in Michigan's Northern Lower and Upper Peninsulas. The network will also provide backhaul to key connection points in Wisconsin and Minnesota. REACH-3MC II will connect 61 community anchor institutions as the network is built and will pass hundreds more over time.
Led by Merit Network, Michigan's research and education network, REACH-3MC II includes sub-recipients from the private sector to make broadband readily available to households and businesses that lack adequate service options in the 27 Michigan counties that make up the project service area. REACH-3MC II is funded by a grant from the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, commonly referenced as the Stimulus Package.
More about CCI, which offers more than 50 years of experience engineering, constructing, and integrating complex communication networks, visit www.ccisystems.com.
