Rocket Fiber using ADTRAN for 10-Gbps FTTP services

ADTRAN, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADTN) says it is supplying elements of its fiber to the premises (FTTP) systems line to Rocket Fiber. The operator, part of Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert's portfolio of companies, announced last year its intention to provide 10-Gbps services via its FTTP network (see "Rocket Fiber to bring 10-Gbps FTTP to Detroit").

Rocket Fiber initially provided data center interconnectivity to Quicken Loans' data centers. It then expanded to provide such services to other Detroit businesses as well as residents via a more than 20-mile network downtown.

"The city of Detroit—home to Quicken Loans, the country's largest online lender—is quickly becoming a destination for innovative tech-based start-ups to thrive, yet the city was unable to find anyone to bring the high-speed connectivity required to sustain growth. ADTRAN enabled us to build our own infrastructure and use it to power and revitalize a city that we loved and to serve a community that needed a helping hand," said Randy Foster, CTO at Rocket Fiber. "Our goal is to cultivate innovation from small, local businesses and create a unique ecosystem that will support long-standing entrepreneurship in Detroit for years to come."

"Rocket Fiber saw that Detroit could thrive if the city encouraged and supported an entrepreneurial culture. Providing small business owners and residents the advancements in technology and gigabit broadband is instrumental to not only start new businesses in the city, but for them to remain in the city," said Mitch Fleming, vice president of carrier sales, ADTRAN. "From healthcare and education to real estate and community morale, Rocket Fiber has brought more than just high-speed access to Detroit, they have brought new life to the city."

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