2040MM844

Kansas Department Of Commerce

Purpose: The State of Kansas Departments of Commerce (the applicant) and Transportation (KDOT) (project partner) are working together with private and non-profit partners to create a 682-mile open-access middle-mile fiber optic and network, with plans to connect multiple new internet exchange points throughout the state. The purpose of the project is to connect to multiple new internet points throughout the state and offer dark fiber for last-mile service providers that have the capabilities to light the fiber and need the scalability associated with dark fiber access. The proposed route will provide lit service access to support smaller ISPs as well as other providers with smaller project scopes that prefer lit services to deploying their own fiber or electronics. This will enable last mile providers with a range of objectives to connect to this network and access end users.

The proposed network will support the needs of last-mile service providers, increase capabilities for anchor institutions, enable connections to unserved and underserved households, and increase competition in local markets, thereby creating more affordable service options.

Activities to be performed: The project will use fiber to build a new middle mile network through underserved communities with a commitment to open access and carrier-neutral non-discriminatory interconnect. The period of performance is expected to be 5 years.

Expected outcomes: The project has the following goals and deliverables:
1. Create a 682-mile open-access middle-mile fiber optic network, with plans to connect multiple new internet exchange points throughout the state.
2. Incorporate three primary open-access middle-mile facilities to facilitate broadband access deployment across the state for all scopes and sizes of broadband deployments.
3. Support access to middle-mile for the deployment of last-mile service providers' fiber optic cables.
4. Support leased access to dark fiber for last-mile service providers that have the capabilities to light the fiber and need the scalability associated with dark fiber access.
5. Provide lit service access to support smaller ISPs as well as other providers with smaller project scopes that prefer lit services to deploying their own fiber or electronics.

Intended beneficiaries: The network will pass within 5 miles of approximately 27,000 underserved locations and about 300 unserved locations. In addition, 52 anchor institutions are within 1,000 feet of the proposed network paths. A significant portion of the fiber will go through counties that have higher poverty rates than the national average. The areas that will benefit from this project include the southern part of Kansas and routes from Garden City, through Wichita, and out and up to Kansas City. The network will benefit educational facilities throughout Kansas by enabling Kansas Research and Education Network to expand its bandwidth and geographic reach. KDOT has also committed to allowing access to other state and government entities, including the Department of Defense and the Department of Agriculture, to aid in national security efforts and smart-farm initiatives in Kansas. The proposed network will bring open access middle-mile infrastructure across the state on east-west and north-south routes, creating opportunities for new last-mile market entrants to deliver services at lower costs for residential and business customers. The network will also connect internet exchange points, leading to better performance, more resiliency, and lower costs for regional providers and their customers.

Subrecipient activities: There are no subawards.

11.033 - Middle Mile (Broadband) Grant Program

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

Topeka, Kansas 66612-1354 United States

Single Zip Code

None