Infinera (Nasdaq: INFN) says that it has won a contract from North Georgia Network Cooperative (NGN) to supply equipment for a broadband stimulus project that will see the deployment of a fiber-optic network from Atlanta to North Carolina. The network will support the delivery of broadband services to thousands of community anchor institutions, businesses, and homes in rural North Georgia.
Construction of the network, which will be based on an open-access model, will break ground this week, according to Bruce Abraham, CEO and president of NGN.
NGN received a $33 million grant in the first round of the federal broadband stimulus program to deploy a 260-mile regional fiber-optic ring with associated middle-mile and last-mile segments (see "First broadband stimulus awards announced"). The network will deliver gigabit broadband speeds to an eight-county area of more than 334,000 people.
Infinera asserts that NGN chose its Infinera Digital Optical Network approach for the middle-mile portion of the network because of its speed, scalability, and ease of operation.
“We are excited to bring an unprecedented level of broadband services to North Georgia, and we have selected the best vendors,” said Abraham. “With an Infinera network, NGN will be able to deliver world-class high-speed Internet services that will be the equal of those available anywhere in the world. This will be a vitally important asset to help us attract new industries, create jobs, and deliver 21st century services like telemedicine and distance learning to our region.”
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