EarthLink lights up Memphis-to-Chicago long-haul route

Dallas -- EarthLink (Nasdaq: ELNK) on Tuesday unveiled an initiative to expand its network with a Memphis, Tenn.-to-Chicago long-haul fiber route that it said is set to be completed by the end of the year.

As part of this network build out, the CLEC will also build an additional fiber ring in Memphis, which is slated to be built in early 2013.

By building the new Memphis-to-Chicago long-haul network route, the CLEC will not only extend its network reach with up to 10G speeds between these two cities, but also will be able to provide additional network diversity and redundancy to existing and new customers along that route.

Set to be built as a Wave/SONET-enabled OC-192 ring on the 10G backbone, EarthLink says the network is designed to deepen its reach into the Memphis market and access to other traditional carriers and potential Fiber to the Tower (FTTT) wireless backhaul opportunities with area wireless operators.

"This long haul route encompasses major wireless centers and importantly, provides a redundant connection point between our Northeast and Southeast fiber networks," said Jim O'Brien, Executive Vice President of Infrastructure Engineering & Operations for EarthLink, in a press release announcing the new build out.

Providing that redundant connection point between the Northeast and Southeast fiber networks--which EarthLink created when it purchased the assets of three other competitive providers, namely ITC^Deltacom, One Communications, and STS Telecom--is a key attribute as it looks to attract more carrier and business customers.

For more:
- see the release

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