MetroNet says it has reached a pair of agreements with municipalities in Iowa and North Carolina to expand its fiber to the home (FTTH) footprint. The agreements with the cities of Ankeny, IA, and Hickory, NC, follow similar FTTH agreements elsewhere in the latter state announced this past January (see “MetroNet inks a pair of FTTH construction deals in North Carolina”).
In Ankeny and the surrounding community, MetroNet will spend more than $15 million to deliver internet, TV, and voice services to businesses and residents via a new FTTH network. MetroNet expects to begin fiber deployments this summer, with installations available “in the months that follow,” the company states. The full FTTH deployment is expected to be completed in approximately two years.
“The demand for high-speed fiber-optic internet continues to be strong in Ankeny and adding MetroNet to the mix of providers gives residents another option,” said City Manager David Jones. “MetroNet is pursuing an aggressive schedule for building its network in Ankeny, which will require coordination with city staff. No taxpayer funding is involved in the buildout as this is a private infrastructure investment.”
Meanwhile, MetroNet plans to spend more than $36 million on the FTTH deployment in Hickory, which will cover the city and surrounding community as well. The deployment schedule mirrors that of Ankeny, with a start this summer and a duration of approximately two years.
“With today’s increasing demands for connectivity, we are excited to welcome MetroNet to Hickory and add to our outstanding list of technology partners,” said Hickory Mayor Hank Guess. “This investment by MetroNet will expand the service offerings in our area by providing the fiber-optic connectivity our community needs to be an ideal location for both businesses and residents.”
Based in Evansville, IN, MetroNet offers FTTH services in more than 100 communities across nine states.
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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.
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