Integra extends network to Minneapolis central business district

Integra Telecom Inc., a provider of fiber-based, carrier-grade services, says it has undertaken a significant expansion of its fiber-optic network infrastructure in Minneapolis, MN. With construction focused on the central business district (CBD), Integra will complete its build out of approximately 1600 fiber miles in the fourth quarter of 2013, enabling over 225 downtown-area buildings and more than 3000 businesses to access Integra's comprehensive portfolio of high-bandwidth services.

"The construction in Minneapolis marks the largest single network investment made by Integra in eight years that is aimed at expanding our fiber footprint," said Kevin O'Hara, president and chief executive officer of Integra. "We expect to make additional network investments in this market, and in other markets in and around our current regional footprint where we see similarly compelling market opportunities."

With construction of new fiber-optic cable rings, Integra will expand upon a presence in the Minneapolis metro area that began in 1998 and grew with the company's 2007 acquisition of Eschelon Telecom. The new network assets will expand Integra's on-network services into over 225 downtown business locations at bandwidths of up to 100 Gbps, providing access to enterprise-class offerings such as Carrier Ethernet services, IP/MPLS virtual private networks, and managed and cloud services, including Integra's Hosted Voice Service and Cloud Firewall Service.

Integra says the expansion of its Minneapolis metro network into the CBD benefits both new and current customers by providing fiber-based access to Integra's high-bandwidth long-haul network, which offers direct, high-speed connectivity to points throughout Integra's 35 metropolitan markets.

Integra’s Vice President of Product and Offer Management Michael Kozlowski recently discussed the carrier’s 100G roll out with Lightwave; click here to listen.

For more information on high-speed transmission systems and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.