Cambium Networks is partnering with QUILT, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, NODE Networks, TMA Technology Solutions, and ComEd to deploy a 401-mile fiber network across Cook County and the South Side and West Side of Chicago, Illinois, a digital equity project that will include 30 strategic interconnection points and fiber capacity construction.
Cambium Networks’ cnWave 60 GHz, Enterprise Wi-Fi, cnMatrix Ethernet Switches and XGS PON will be given access to ComEd’s middle-mile infrastructure to create a hybrid-fiber solution and last-mile connectivity from NODE Networks. This digital equity partnership will broadband fiber access to 24 communities and over 440,000 households in Illinois.
The partners expect the collaboration to cut deployment costs and expedite implementation, and, according to the announcement, to “make a lasting impact on Chicago’s digital landscape.”
“This initiative is a testament to our core corporate values and commitment to ensuring every community has access to reliable, high-speed internet,” said Cambium Networks President and CEO Morgan Kurk. “By partnering with QUILT, NODE Networks, and leveraging ComEd’s infrastructure, we are poised to deliver cutting-edge connectivity solutions that will drive economic growth and improve the quality of life for thousands of families.”
The Illinois collaboration is only one of several digital equity plans recently announced by carriers and various partners.
“Digital equity is not just about access to the internet; it’s about access to opportunities. This initiative is a crucial step towards leveling the playing field for underserved communities in Chicago,” added Dwayne Douglas, CEO of QUILT.
“By working together with Cambium Networks, NODE Networks, and leveraging ComEd’s infrastructure, we are laying the groundwork for a future where every resident has the tools they need to thrive in a digital world.”
