On tap today: new data center in the Midwest, an NNI with PCCW, bundling LTE for businesses, and the return of Bill LaPerch to the fiber business.
The Midwestern regional operator US Signal has broken ground on a new data center in Grand Rapids, Michigan, which will give them seven in all. With 20,000 square feet in the first phase and another 40,000 square feet for future expansion, they’ll certainly have room to grow their managed data and IaaS offerings. US Signal has been shifting its focus to a combined fiber and cloud model specializing in those with regional and local needs.
The northeastern fiber operator Lightower has interconnected its Ethernet footprint with Hong Kong-based PCCW. The two have established an E-NNI, giving each other a boost in service reach into their respective footprints. PCCW’s Ethernet footprint hits more than 100 PoPs around the world, while Lightower has one of the deepest available networks on the east coast of the US plus Chicago.
And MetTel is looking to bundle in LTE with its business IP services portfolio. They’ve joined the AT&T Partner Exchange, which will enable them to resell AT&T’s 4G services as well as access to all those WiFi hotspots. Figuring out how to blend things like LTE with the next generation of business data and voice services is definitely something to keep an eye on.
And let’s all welcome back former AboveNet CEO Bill LaPerch to the fiber business. Some 15 months after Zayo’s purchase of AboveNet, Mr. LaPerch is back in the game, joining the board of directors at FirstLight Fiber. FirstLight has been busily beefing up its management team after integrating the SegTel and Teljet acquisitions and rebranding from Tech Valley Communications. Bill LaPerch’s experiences rescuing the AboveNet business from the legendary bubble-era crash of MFN put him in a great position to advise FirstLight on the next step in their evolution.
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Categories: Cloud Computing · Datacenter · Ethernet · Metro fiber · Wireless
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Welcome back, Bill!!
Thanks Rob. its great to be back, especially with a great investor like Riverside and a great management team like First Light’s. I will tell you that your site was a great way to stay informed and current on the many goings on in the technology world.
Nice to see one of the truly good guys getting back into the fiber world. Best of luck Bill.