0840MM228

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to create new access points along the applicant's 822-mile, five-state, underground existing middle mile fiber route. This will provide a highly resilient alternative to the aerial fiber currently used, which is subject to outages. The project aims to provide better service to unserved and underserved areas and access to community anchor institutions.

According to ACS 5-year estimates 2016-2020, the counties in this proposed service area have between 10% and 33.6% federal poverty rates. There are over 30 school districts where 60% or more students participate in the National School Lunch Program. Additionally, 36 schools are within 1000 feet of the fiber routes. The applicant has identified 209 community anchor institutions located within 1 mile of the fiber route that could have access to the network on a non-discriminatory open access basis.

The funds requested will help enable last mile service from wireline ISPs. A portion of the funding will be used to construct 180-foot towers that will provide non-discriminatory access to up to four wireless ISPs. These towers will provide mobile and fixed broadband service within a 5-mile radius of each tower.

Activities to be performed: The project will use fiber to build a new and resilient middle mile network through underserved and unserved communities. The project is committed to open access and carrier-neutral non-discriminatory interconnect. The expected period of performance is 2 years.

Expected outcomes: The proposed project aims to retrofit the applicant's existing 822-mile, five-state, underground middle mile fiber route with new, tailored access points (including towers). This will enable better service to unserved and underserved areas. According to the FCC 477 July to December 2021 data and US Census Bureau 2020 data, there are 104,000 census blocks along the proposed route that are unserved, with a rural ratio over 38%. The project will also benefit the Mississippi Choctaw Reservation and 209 anchor institutions through non-discriminatory open access.

Intended beneficiaries: The applicant intends to modify and operate a long, multi-state, underground fiber optic middle mile network that spans 822 miles and passes through Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. The proposed route passes through twenty counties between Dallas and Atlanta, with over 104,000 blocks unserved and a rural ratio over 38%. Additionally, 209 underserved anchor institutions will benefit from the project. The middle mile network has been designed to include access points to serve underserved and unserved areas as determined by the Federal Communications Commission Form 477 data from July to December 2021 in the following areas:

- 8 Texas counties: Kaufman, Upshur, Smith, Van Zandt, Wood, Dallas, Harrison, and Gregg
- 10 Louisiana parishes: Bossier, Webster, Jackson, Caddo, Lincoln, Richland, Bienville, Ouachita, Claiborne, and Madison
- 6 Mississippi counties: Rankin, Newton, Scott, Warren, Lauderdale, and Hinds
- 10 Alabama counties: Shelby, St. Clair, Cleburne, Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Calhoun, Talladega, Bibb, Hale, and Greene
- 6 Georgia counties: Cobb, Paulding, Douglas, Fulton, Haralson, and Carroll

Providing access to this network would enable last mile providers to greatly enhance their service to these communities, many of which currently have no broadband connectivity. For those that do have some broadband availability, the connectivity is typically single-threaded (non-resilient), very aged (30+ years old), and mostly aerial.

Subrecipient activities: The applicant intends to subaward funds for the following activities:
- Construction of 18 180-foot cellular towers and 75'x75' cellular compounds
- Procurement, installation, and permitting of 16 new ILAs.

Zayo Group

11.033 - Middle Mile (Broadband) Grant Program

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) [DOC]

Boulder, Colorado 80301-1067 United States

Single Zip Code

None

Infrastructure $13,688,241 (100%) percent this Project Grant was funded by the 2021 Infrastructure Act.