Merit Extends the Reach of its Network by 2,300 Miles Using CommScope Fiber Solutions

After receiving $128 million in federal funding to revitalize broadband Internet access across rural Michigan, Merit Network, Inc., needed the right fiber and materials partner. Some RFP finalists were too large to provide the custom, hands-on approach Merit needed. Others, while smaller and more agile, couldn't deliver on the magnitude of its vision for the REACH-3MC initiative.

Headquartered in Ann Arbor since 1966, Merit owns and operates America's longest running research and education network. Governed by Michigan's major public universities, Merit's network backbone is a strategic collaboration and innovation asset. It connects universities, K-12 schools, libraries, health care, government institutions and other nonprofits across the state.

Injecting true broadband Internet

In remote rural areas of Michigan, a lack of backhaul infrastructure was severely...Continue reading "Merit Extends the Reach of its Network by 2,300 Miles Using CommScope Fiber Solutions."

REACH-3MC Round I Road Trip

   By Brian Warkoczeski
   November 15, 2013 11:55 am

Between Monday, September 16th through Thursday, September 19th, Merit staff and representatives from ASR Analytics traveled to locations along the REACH-3MC Round I network route to gather information and testimonials for a National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) report. The following contains some highlights of the visits with Merit Members.

Adrian College
Merit staff traveled to Adrian College to meet with Brad Maggard to discuss the college's bandwidth and network usage over the years and how it has changed because of the REACH-3MC network. Brad said the College has regularly maxed out the capacity of their network connection over the past 12 years. After the REACH-3MC network was completed, their available network bandwidth increased from 90 megabits-per-second...Read more »

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