The Maryland Broadband Cooperative (MDBC), one of the emerging middle mile network providers extending services to underserved communities in Maryland, is moving forward with plans to build out a 1,300-mile statewide optical open access network.
Delivering a mix of traditional TDM and IP-based services, the network will leverage Infinera`s (Nasdaq: INFN) regional DTN and metro ATN platforms. Incorporating photonic integrated circuits (PICs), the DTN platform will give MDBC 6.4 Tbps of capacity per fiber, while the ATN platform will sit on the edge of the network serving in the multiservice aggregation platform.
Similar to other middle mile initiatives such as the Three Ring Binder network in Maine, MDBC`s network will provide optical and Ethernet services to other service providers to offer broadband services businesses, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, public safety offices and residents in the rural part of the state.
Members of the MDBC will be able to access everything from traditional TDM (SONET), IP/Ethernet, managed optical services, dark fiber and colocation space. Besides local Maryland service providers, the MDBC network will be an attractive network provider to wireless operators that are looking for alternative wireless backhaul sources in rural areas of Maryland.
