Clearwave chooses Cyan, Juniper Networks for Southern Illinois Data Center and broadband stimulus project

JANUARY 18, 2011 -- Delta Communications, LLC, doing business as Clearwave Communications, says it has selected Cyan and Juniper Networks as its strategic suppliers of packet optical transport and routing platforms, respectively. Clearwave was awarded $31,515,253 in Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) funding as part of the broadband stimulus program, plus $11,351,250 in matching State of Illinois funding as part of the Illinois Broadband Opportunities Program (IBOP).

These federal and state programs, combined with additional private and public funding, have enabled Clearwave to begin build-out of a regional data center and 740 route miles of fiber network, spanning from St. Louis on the Missouri border to Mount Carmel on the Indiana border, and south to Cairo and Metropolis on the Kentucky border. By leveraging the packet-optical transport systems capabilities from Cyan with the routing capabilities from Juniper, Clearwave will initially connect up to 232 anchor institutions (schools, libraries, medical/healthcare providers, public safety organizations, universities,and community colleges), enterprises,and consumers with advanced voice and data services and 33 points of interconnection. In addition, the network will provide affordable wholesale services to other service providers.

"We view this as an extraordinary opportunity to build a world-class network, serving a broad and diverse customer base," said Scott Riggs, president of Clearwave Communications. "Naturally, we want to deploy the best technology to give Clearwave a foundation for superior services and economics. After extensive research, our team concluded that Cyan's Z-Series packet-optical transport systems and Juniper Networks' MX Series 3D Universal Edge Routers offered the greatest combination of service flexibility, scalability, operational simplicity, and lowest total-cost of ownership to meet our initial and long-term business objectives."

The expanded network build-out will enable Clearwave to deploy a regional data center and approximately 740 miles of 96-count fiber throughout the region. The network build-out will begin early this year and is projected to be substantially completed by 2012. Clearwave also has awarded a contract to Calix to supply equipment for the network (see “Clearwave Communications selects Calix gear for middle-mile BTOP broadband stimulus project”).

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