Bluebird Network buys Iowa data center

Jan. 5, 2021
Bluebird Network says that it has purchased the ColoHub Data Center previously owned by Geneseo Communications in Bettendorf, IA.

Bluebird Network says that it has purchased the ColoHub Data Center previously owned by Geneseo Communications in Bettendorf, IA. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The facility, Bluebird Networks’ second data center, will extend the fiber network service provider’s operations in Iowa as well as Illinois, according to the company.

The ColoHub facility will pair with Bluebird’s underground data center in Springfield, MO (see "Bluebird Network adds 4,700 square feet of white space to underground data center"), to offer expanded options for moving applications closer to the edge or establishing a disaster recovery location. Bluebird sees its new data center as centrally located to serve such markets as Cedar Rapids, the Chicago suburbs, Champaign-Urbana, Peoria, and other major cities.

“In 2020, we expanded and densified our fiber network infrastructure across several territories throughout the Midwest,” said Michael Morey, president and CEO of Bluebird. “Expanding our data center offerings, fortified now with a second facility, is part of our mission to empower businesses and offer a total communications solution.”

“For years Bluebird has been steadily expanding their network in a dedicated and sustainable way,” added Mike McClain, president and CEO of Geneseo. “We know Bluebird and the leadership team will leverage the splendid work accomplished by ColoHub and take its capabilities to new heights with excellent support for our customers—both current and future—in concert with Bluebird’s standards of integrity, accountability, and adaptability.”

Bluebird’s footprint covers more than 9,800 fiber route miles with more than 60,000 on-net and near-net buildings and 151 points of presence (PoPs) across the Midwest. Its service area includes such cities as Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield (MO and IL), Tulsa, Peoria, Rockford, Bloomington, Normal, and the Quad Cities.

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About the Author

Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave

Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.

Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.

He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.

You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn as well as Twitter.

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