MetroNet completes deployment of Lexington citywide fiber network
MetroNet says it has completed deployment of a citywide fiber network in Lexington, KY. The completion of the project, which saw MetroNet install 4.4 million feet of fiber over the past 2.5 years, makes Lexington the largest “gigabit city” in the U.S., the broadband services provider asserts.
MetroNet says it also has launched fiber deployments in neighboring communities in Nicholasville, Versailles, and further south to Richmond. The company says that “tens of thousands” of Lexington-area residential and business customers have signed up for service already.
The Lexington deployment initiative began in 2017 when Jim Gray, city mayor at the time, set a goal to make Lexington a gigabit city. MetroNet agreed to participate in the project and proposed to invest up to $100 million. Current Mayor Linda Gorton further supported the effort.
“A citywide fiber network gives Lexington a competitive advantage, as we work to attract and grow jobs,” Gorton said upon the fiber network’s completion. “MetroNet’s enormous investment in our city is an investment in a brighter future for our citizens.”
“The cooperation of the City of Lexington and council members was a critical component for success as we built out a complex fiber network in the area. In addition to the vision and support of both mayors Gray and Gorton, Aldona Valicenti, chief information officer for the City of Lexington, and Scott Shapiro, former chief innovation officer for the City of Lexington, are owed recognition for their leadership in bringing this vision to life,” stated John Cinelli, president of MetroNet. “We could not be happier to have a home in such a vibrant, growing city, and we are thrilled to mark this occasion and complete construction for residents and businesses to enjoy fast, reliable fiber-optic internet, phone, and TV services. Our work does not stop here; we will still be actively involved in laying more fiber in the community as the City of Lexington continues to grow and develop.”
In addition to Lexington, MetroNet offers broadband services in more than 90 communities across Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Florida.
For related articles, visit the FTTx Topic Center.
For more information on FTTx technology and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.
To stay abreast of fiber network deployments, subscribe to Lightwave’s Service Providers and Datacom/Data Center newsletters.
Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
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, and more.
You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn as well as Twitter.