Southern Light to expand fiber-optic network along Gulf Coast

Fiber-optic network services provider Southern Light, LLC says it has landed a 20-year contract with what it called "one of the nation's top wireless carriers" that will see it deliver fiber connections to more than 400 sites along the Gulf Coast of the United States. The company says it will launch a significant installation of fiber-optic cable over the next several years to support the contract's requirements that also should open additional business opportunities.

The new contract calls for Southern Light to offer connectivity in parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. As a result, the service provider says it will need more than 1,650 route miles and 14,000 fiber miles to connect 446 sites. While much of the fiber cable infrastructure is already in place, Southern Light says it will need to expand its footprint by approximately 790 fiber miles over the next four years.

The new infrastructure also will be made available to other clients; Southern Light sees opportunity in reaching additional military installations, hospitals, universities, businesses, non-profits, and financial institutions.

"Southern Light continues to experience growth as a result of demand from wireless carriers, institutions, and business customers. This agreement allows us to further penetrate existing markets while adding redundancy to our already robust network," said Andy Newton, president and CEO of Southern Light.

Southern Light currently serves 1,520 cell towers and has over 3,800 on-net locations in five states (see "Infinera selected by Southern Light for Gulf Coast regional network" and "Southern Light deploys Optelian’s LightGAIN, LightMUX optical transport systems").

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