Fiber infrastructure services provider Segra, a unit of Cox Communications, says that it has finished the initial phase of a fiber infrastructure build for DISH. The deployment supports DISH’s 5G network aspirations and has helped the communications services provider offer mobile services across more than 500 towers in less than a year.
DISH asserts it has now met a deadline established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to serve 20% of the U.S. population. “Thanks to Segra and our other fiber providers, DISH's Smart 5G wireless network is available to over 20% of the U.S. population in more than 120 cities across the country,” commented Dave Mayo, executive vice president of network development, DISH Wireless. “Segra has helped us connect consumers throughout Virginia and the Carolinas while meeting an extremely aggressive timeline.”
"We are pleased to execute on the first major milestone of our contracted broadband build for DISH and successfully turn over more than 500 site installations by the FCC’s deadline,” added Kevin T. Hart, Segra CEO (see "Segra names Kevin T. Hart as CEO"). “As a valued network infrastructure partner, Segra’s extensive fiber network provides the capacity, scalability, and reliability to power DISH’s growing 5G network.”
Segra is one of four fiber infrastructure suppliers DISH revealed as partners in November 2020. The others include Everstream, Uniti, and Zayo.
Cox purchased Segra in 2021 (see “Cox to acquire Segra's commercial enterprise and carrier fiber business”). The company owns and operates fiber infrastructure in nine Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern states. Segra provides Ethernet, MPLS, dark fiber, data center services, IP and managed services, voice, and cloud services to carriers, enterprises, governments, and higher education and healthcare organizations.
Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director & Associate Publisher
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, DOCSIS technology, and more.