Mass Broadband Institute deploys Ciena gear for broadband backbone

The Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI), which is rolling out a fiber-optic broadband network via broadband stimulus funds, has chosen the 6500 Packet-Optical Platform from Ciena Corp. (NASDAQ: CIEN) for a backbone that will support service delivery to 120 communities in the western and central parts of the state.

The rollout is part of MBI’s plans to construct a state-wide fiber-optic network, dubbed MassBroadband 123, to support broadband services delivery to residences, businesses, and anchor institutions that currently lack reliable, affordable Internet services. The MBI will use a $45.4 million grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) and $26.2 million from statewide resources to complete the project.

The Ciena’s 6500 packet optical transport platform initially will support data rates of 40 Gbps, with the ability to scale to 100 Gbps. Ciena says it successfully completed an extensive evaluation and field trial period managed by G4S, the project’s systems integrator and a Ciena BizConnect partner. Axia NGNetworks will be responsible for managing and maintaining the backbone network, as well as extend it as necessary.

“In order to compete in a global arena, it is imperative that communities have the necessary broadband infrastructure to spur economic development and stimulate new growth—that’s specifically the mission behind MassBroadband 123,” said Chris Janson, senior industry market manager, public sector at Ciena. “By leveraging our coherent optical technology, and our experience providing infrastructure for other statewide networks, MBI will ensure that Massachusetts residents will have access to scalable, reliable, and high-speed network services to support and sustain public services and business for many years to come.”

Ciena notes that OpenCape, a 350-mile fiber-optic network now in deployment across Southeastern Massachusetts based on $32 million in broadband stimulus funds, also is using its optical transport equipment.

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