In partnership with next-generation networks architect Gigabit Squared, Zayo Group (News - Alert) is developing gigabit Internet connectivity for Chicago's mid-South side under the Gigabit Chicago project. The aim is to bring ultra-fast broadband connections to residents and businesses of Chicago. For that, Zayo is deploying fiber infrastructure that will serve as the backbone for the Chicago community. Consequently, it will provide dark fiber, colocation, IP transit, wavelength and other infrastructure services.
Zayo’s IP network connects more than 500 data centers and an equal number of carrier PoPs in seven countries. The company’s U.S. network spans 45 states and the District of Columbia, connecting all key peering hubs and serving 231 markets. Zayo’s DIA, IP transit and 10 GigE services were recently added to Telarus’ (News - Alert) telecom pricing software GeoQuote.
A recipient of Illinois Gigabit Communities Challenge grant, Gigabit Squared has been awarded $2 million from the state to help support its national Gigabit Neighborhood Gateway (News - Alert) Program (GNGP) to help create jobs, improve neighborhood safety, enhance education, and improve healthcare services.
Together, the two partners will develop a fiber infrastructure to provide Chicago with broadband capabilities that will foster economic development as well as deliver improvements in education, health care, safety and energy.
In a statement, Matt Erickson, president of fiber and infrastructure at Zayo Group, said, "Chicago is the first community of development and Zayo will work with Gigabit Squared to enable other communities in the future. We will be leveraging the reach of our metro Chicago fiber network to enable the Gigabit Chicago project."
To realize this project in a cost-effective manner, Mark Ansboury (News - Alert), president of Gigabit Squared, indicated that the partners will leverage existing assets and services. In fact, the GNGP program taps both private investments and public capital to accelerate the deployment and utilization of gigabit speed networks. Out of six communities and Gig.U Universities, Chicago is the first recipient of the GNGP program. The $2 million awarded to Gigabit Squared came from Governor Quinn’s “Gigabit Communities Challenge” funding.
According to a report by Chicago Grid, the project will bring ultra-high-speed Internet connections to 100,000 residents and 11,000 schools, businesses, hospitals and clinics in nine South Side neighborhoods. Ernest Sanders, who was recently hired as the general manager of Gigabit Squared Chicago, said, “We’re creating a digital infrastructure where people can participate in their well-being and contribute to their own community and their own livelihoods. We are empowering people to become leaders — not followers.”