Raising capacity, resiliency
The expansion into Kentucky comes as GPC continues to enhance its network and increase capacity. Part of this process included deploying Ciena's Coherent Routing solution and WaveLogic 5 Nano (WL5n) technology.
With its ongoing upgrade process, GPC is set on fulfilling various key applications: wireless backhaul with 10G capability and 400G data center interconnection to support 400G Data Center Interconnect (DCI) services to large cloud and data center operators. Also, the Ciena equipment enables greater resiliency of Layer 2 VPNs with Segment Routing for protecting packet services.
“We’re continuing to increase our network with expansion and adding more technology,” said Tony Thakur, CTO of Great Plains Communications (GPC). “We introduced segmented routing capabilities and added 400G capability for a few customers, so we’re continuing to upgrade and add new capabilities for our customers.”
Customer drivers
When GPC considered creating an entry into the Kentucky market, which was outside of its 13-state footprint, GPC was driven by a customer demand.
In this case, there was a request from one of its fiber-to-the-tower (FTTT) customers for capacity.
“The original impetus from a large fiber-to-the-tower (FTTT) customer that needed connectivity to key sites,” said Chris Sikora, chief revenue officer for Great Plains Communications.
But as it considered its FTTT customers’ needs, it saw that Kentucky could be a fruitful target to deliver business services. “You can see the economic activity within Kentucky, whether it’s the logistics business, manufacturing and even the hyperscalers and even small businesses,” Sikora said. “Also, we like to build and operate our own fiber networks because we believe that’s the best way to bring service to our customers.”
Regardless of the customer size, Sikora emphasized that it treats every customer equally. “By bringing physical fiber diversity to businesses, we strengthen their network and that does not matter if you are a coffee shop or a manufacturer of batteries for electric vehicles,” he said. “As we bring more competition to the market, it increases innovation and provides better answers for these customers.”
Hyperscaler market rising
With a 13-state network footprint in place, GPC will continue to pursue new hyperscale data center opportunities in its existing markets as well as the new Kentucky market.
Sikora said the new network footprint positions the provider to address existing and new data center builds.
“Across our entire network footprint, these hyperscalers have existing data centers that are already there and they are actively constructing others,” he said. “These hyperscalers have got deep connectivity needs that we’re prepared to answer.”
As GPC pursues hyperscaler opportunities, the service provider is keen to bring services to nearby businesses in Kentucky’s Louisville to Lexington corridor—two markets that are seeing ongoing business growth.
Driven by a mixture of capital investments and job creation in 2023, the Louisville business market is experiencing strong economic growth, with projected continued expansion in 2025. Key strengths include its strategic location, major industries like logistics (UPS), advanced manufacturing (Ford, GE Appliances), and a thriving food and beverage sector.
Likewise, Lexington, Kentucky’s location has made it a prime spot for a diverse business market. It also includes strong education systems (particularly the University of Kentucky), and established industries like automotive/manufacturing (Toyota), biotech/life sciences, logistics/distribution, and food/beverage processing.
“The Louisville to Lexington corridor is anchored by metros on either side, and these robust small communities in between that have an small to medium business (SMB) need,” Sikora said. “We’re also attracting big manufacturers in some cases.”
Thakur agreed and added that there’s “a community of interest between Southern Indiana and Northern Kentucky, which feature large airports, so it makes good business sense for us to explore that market further.”
