Bluebird Network touts footprint expansion
Bluebird Network says it added more than 520 route miles to its fiber network footprint – of which 290 are company owned – during 2022, capped by an agreement announced last month to acquire the middle-mile fiber network assets of Missouri Telecom Inc. (MTI). The communications infrastructure provider and data center operator now has nearly 11,000 miles of fiber at its disposal, with more expansions on the horizon.
The MTI deal, which Bluebird Network said last month would close by the end of 2022, adds 40 route miles of fiber, along with three points of presence (PoPs) in Southwest Missouri, including the cities Mount Vernon, Monett, Nevada, and Aurora. The transaction does not include MTI’s voice services business. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Bluebird is maintaining momentum by constantly looking for ways to connect communities and improve our already stellar network,” commented Michael Morey, president and CEO of Bluebird Network. “Our acquisition of Missouri Telecom’s middle-mile network assets allows Bluebird to expand and strengthen our network services, specifically for communities in Southwest Missouri.”
The MTI agreement follows expansion efforts in Salina, KS, in October and the deployment of a new fiber route to Chicago with the extensions into Aurora and DeKalb, IL. Bluebird Network also opened a new fiber network in Waterloo, IA, in June.
Overall, Missouri-based Bluebird Network serves carriers and enterprises in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Iowa, and the surrounding states. Its fiber network offers connections to more 82,000 on-net and near-net buildings and 156 PoPs throughout its service area, including such major cities as Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield (MO and IL), Tulsa, Peoria, Rockford, Bloomington, Normal, and the Quad Cities.
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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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