Peninsula Fiber Network, LLC (PFN) and 123NET are partnering for a privately funded middle mile fiber optic network from Bay City to Southfield, Michigan. This multi-million-dollar project spans approximately 130 miles adding middle-mile capacity to Michigan’s telecommunications infrastructure.
PFN has its roots in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and 123NET is based in Metro-Detroit. The new north-south fiber route is expected to provide immediate benefits to the local communities along the route, as well as providing overall connectivity between southeast Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, extending into Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Construction on the network has begun, and is expected to be completed in sections over 18 months. The new high-capacity fiber is being installed along the I-75 corridor, and will provide fiber connectivity to Southfield, Beverly Hills, Birmingham, Bloomfield, Pontiac, Waterford, Clarkston, Davisburg, Holly, Fenton, Grand Blanc, Flint, Clio, Birch Run, Bridgeport, Saginaw, and Bay City.
“Partnering with 123NET offers a win-win for both companies and perhaps more importantly for the businesses and consumers in the state,” said Scott Randall, Peninsula Fiber Network general manager, in a prepared statement about the Michigan middle mile network. “We hope this joint investment is the first of many between our companies, as we work to increase broadband capacity and available broadband service in the State of Michigan.”
“This additional 130-mile Bay City to Southfield route creates easy and affordable connection opportunities for municipalities and businesses in that region that want the benefits offered by advanced fiber service,” said Dan Irvin, 123NET president and CEO, in a prepared statement. “We’re pleased to develop this network with partners like PFN who share our commitment to Michigan’s overall connectivity and to providing exceptional service to each customer along the way.”
This the second middle-mile fiber optic project announced in Michigan in the last three weeks. The other is a private-public partnership in which a $10.5 million grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to Merit Network and Michigan State University will be used to connect the state’s Internet pathways to create a statewide middle mile network.
