The State of Nevada has awarded $153 million grant to Zayo to build, operate, maintain, and commercialize the state’s new Middle Mile Network project.
Zayo will construct over 800 miles of the open-access, fiber optic network backed by funding from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Office of Science, Innovation, and Technology (OSIT) to provide robust broadband access to unserved and underserved communities with routes through Reno and Las Vegas.
Project overview:
The project encompasses two major routes:
- The US 93 Route through Las Vegas with an investment of $43.5 million from the NTIA Middle Mile Grant Program and $43.5 million funded by the Nevada Department of Transportation.
- The I-80 Route through Reno with an investment of over $66 million funded by the Department of Treasury Capital Project Funds and the State of Nevada.
The routes will connect over 40,000 unserved or underserved locations, including households, schools, libraries, community buildings and more.
Zayo said the new routes will be built with its new Digital Equity Access Network (DEAN) architecture which enhances rural connectivity by lowering the barrier to entry for rural ISPs to build last-mile infrastructure by providing pre-provisioned, dedicated fiber backhaul and competitive IP pricing that matches metro market rates. The new architecture includes multiple interconnection points pre-built into the network, making connecting to our middle-mile more affordable for ISPs.
Zayo also notes that this public-private partnership with the State of Nevada enables unique revenue-sharing opportunities that would not otherwise be available, enabling Zayo to operate, maintain, and commercialize the route to ensure the long-term sustainability and economic viability of the project.
“Lack of reliable internet access puts communities and businesses at a severe disadvantage when it comes to entrepreneurship, employment, healthcare and education. Zayo’s work in the Nevada Middle-Mile project will help bridge the digital divide in these underserved areas,” said Bill Long, Chief Product & Strategy Officer at Zayo. “In addition, as Reno and Las Vegas emerge as major data center hubs, these two new routes will also enhance connectivity in these areas to support increased bandwidth needs. Together, the project will support profound societal and economic transformation for the State of Nevada.”
