Michigan’s largest carrier neutral fiber optic network, 123Net in Southfield, today announced the kickoff of a new fiber long-haul route connecting Grand Rapids and Lansing.
The $11M investment spans approximately 83 miles of high-density optical fiber to improve service and accessibility in the two cities along with communities, businesses, and residents along the route.
“This expansion represents a pivotal moment as it not only connects Grand Rapids with Lansing, but also serves as the essential final segment in our broader project to link Detroit and Chicago,” says Chuck Irvin, chief revenue officer at 123Net. “This segment closes the final gap, ensuring a continuous high-capacity fiber route along a newly diversified path between major cities.”
Currently there is a fiber route connecting Grand Rapids and Lansing, but that fiber is over two decades old, has a limited number of fibers, and includes extensive aerial segments.
The company is applying for Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment grant funding to bring last mile connectivity to serve residents along the network path.
Part of a continuing trend of investment in West Michigan, in the last few years, 123Net has announced participation in an NTIA Middle Mile Grant, was awarded two ROBIN grants for extensive deployments in Allegan and Ottawa counties, constructed a fiber network in downtown Kalamazoo, and launched the Grand Rapids Internet Exchange. Each of these projects are interconnected to improve internet performance in West Michigan.
“The new route will stand apart for several key reasons. Rather than simply following the shortest path between Grand Rapids and Lansing, the route will extend north and south to reach underserved and unserved communities,” Irvin says.
“The new route also features brand-new, high-count fiber capable of significantly higher transmission rates, with ample strands and spare capacity to meet Michigan’s connectivity needs for decades to come and will be nearly 100 percent underground.”
The company encourages communities, businesses, and prospective ISP partners to contact the company to learn more about this transformative project and how to access the fiber it provides.
Overall, 123Net is actively working with several Michigan communities to pursue BEAD funding — a federally funded program that will allocate approximately $1.5 billion to the state to increase affordable, reliable high-speed internet connection availability to more communities and households.
Construction on the Grand Rapids to Lansing route will begin in early 2025, and will be completed in sections over the next 24 months.
For communities and carriers interested in learning more about leveraging the new route, visit 123.net/contact/.
