Western regional operator 360Networks continues to beef up its portfolio, announcing today a new 640 mile route between Dallas and El Paso. The company has installed gear from Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE:ALU, news, filings) on the new link capable of 100G, which of course will probably have to wait for demand. 360Networks was already in Dallas of course, and they had fiber running through El Paso too. But there was no direct connectivity between the two except through Denver. The buildout completes that hole in their network and also brings three new markets on-net for the company: Abilene, Fort Worth, and Midland, as well as the potential for a bunch of smaller cities as well down the line.
This is the second expansion for 360Networks in Texas this year. Back in February they did a deal with Alpheus for metro coverage in Dallas and perhaps further south too. There could be more on the way, they are still sitting on a somewhat unique route running south from Chicago down to New Orleans and back over to Dallas. But then again, what with the addition of IP/Ethernet to their product set and these other projects, perhaps they’re busy enough for now.
If you haven't already, please take our Reader Survey! Just 3 questions to help us better understand who is reading Telecom Ramblings so we can serve you better!
Categories: Internet Backbones
Join Our LinkedIn Group
so is this owned fiber or the old mcleod routes? assuming the latter…
Network was built and owned by Touch America. Sold in 2003 to 360Network when TA went bankrupt.
Touch America never built through Texas
Rich America did indeed build across Texas. It was sold partly as IRU in partnership with the old IXC. It was abandoned after 3years in favor of netter, newer self owned. I just hope 360 didn’t buy the OPGW across from Midland to El Paso. They will never keep it up.