Zayo expands fiber network infrastructure in Tennessee by 50%
Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. says it has added almost 50% more fiber to its Tennessee network footprint over the past 24 months. The deployments center around Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville and aim to support the requirements of such customers as carriers, content providers, education, healthcare, and enterprises.
For example, Zayo says its recently has installed 340 miles of new fiber network in the metro Nashville area. The infrastructure supports mobile and enterprise customers and has added what Zayo asserts is “hundreds of buildings” to its connection roster. As part of this effort, the fiber network services provider says that it will support the requirements of a Nashville-based health system for a dark fiber ring to connect the customer’s central campus with its satellite facilities.
Meanwhile, Zayo says it also is in the latter stages of deploying and lighting a new long-haul fiber route from Nashville to Chicago via Kentucky. The new 100G route will complement Zayo’s two other routes out of the city and connect Nashville with major commercial and financial centers around the U.S. Zayo adds it also recently deployed a coherent wavelength system from Nashville to Dallas via Memphis. Also in Nashville and Memphis, Zayo will enable high-speed connectivity for two large school districts in partnership with a Tennessee-based technology provider. The project will be funded via the E-rate program.
Finally, Zayo has agreed to supply SH Data Technologies with connectivity to its new data center in Knoxville. The diverse fiber ring will enable local enterprise connectivity including long haul and IP capabilities. Zayo says it also has completed a mobile infrastructure network in Chattanooga.
“The quality, density and diversity of our network provide a significant advantage for our Tennessee customers,” said Jack Waters, president, Zayo Networks and COO. “Our continued expansion underscores our commitment to the state and to the businesses and organizations that are fueling impressive growth and innovation.”
For related articles, visit the Network Design Topic Center.
For more information on high-speed transmission systems 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.