REACH-3MC Awarded! Broadband ARRA Funding MCCVLC Update Eric Grandstaff Merit Member Relations Upper Peninsula & Northern Lower Michigan Merit Network Thursday, March 25, 2010

Agenda About Merit Preparing a Successful Application Round I REACH-3MC Details Community Opportunities & Updates Timeline Next Steps Round II REACH-3MC Application Plans Discussion/Questions

About Merit The Michigan Education Research Information Triad (MERIT) formed in 1966 because, “significant benefits might be gained from sharing computing resources via an electronic linkage…” Merit is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Merit operates the longest running Regional Optical Network (RON) in the country. Established Affiliate Member program in 1990 to connect Higher Education, K-12 Schools, Libraries, Government, Health Care, Research Organizations, and other Non-profit Organizations. 1969 NSF grant for computer networking with only comparable work at BBN (ARPANET) Merit Embarks on a Fiber and Wireless Backbone Strategy in 2003 2010 ARRA grant to construct a middle-mile fiber optic infrastructure in rural areas of Michigan (REACH-3MC)

Preparing a Successful App. A Clear Vision for what you are trying to accomplish – A well defined problem and how you are going to solve it. Prepare a Consistent and Clear Application Create Partnerships – a lot of them! Get Letters of support We had more than anyone else Prepare a detailed technical plan, including implementation Explain your technical plan and why it will solve the problem defined Prepare a detailed budget, with realistic sales forecast Prepare a detail project plan, including sub-tasks and sub- projects with realistic completion dates Be sure your application demonstrates that your organization has the experience and credibility to deliver.

REACH-3MC Details Merit’s ARRA application was approved on 1/20/10. Middle-mile network covering 955 miles. 72 strands of fiber reaching from Monroe to Berrien Springs to Traverse City to Mackinaw City, Mt. Pleasant to Gaylord to Hillman, and Midland to Oscoda. Provide 40 -- 10Gig waves, and can be upgraded to 80 -- 10Gig waves

REACH-3MC Details Fiber construction will begin where Merit currently has connectivity. Approx. 15 concurrent fiber construction crews 4 For-profit partners. ACD.net – last-mile provider TC3Net – last-mile provider iServ – last-mile provider Lynx – middle-mile provider Merit will connect anchor institutions (education, social service, public safety, government).

REACH-3MC Details Partners will provide services to businesses and households Merit will provide affordable transport services to Providers (Open Access). Local Providers will be better positioned to invest in the local community to extend broadband service further into un- and under-served areas.

Community Opportunities

Community Opportunities

Timeline Currently engineering specific route Permitting should begin by mid-March 2010 Fiber construction is planned to begin by June 2010 in several strategic locations Economies of scale can be achieved if fiber laterals are constructed prior to – or during – long-haul fiber construction through a given community

Next Steps Stay informed via Merit’s ARRA project website, broken down by community www.merit.edu/meritformichigan/ Work with Member Relations to identify fiber lateral connectivity possibilities Contact Merit for additional information at any time at info@merit.edu Subscribe to stimulus-info@merit.edu

Round II REACH-3MC

Discussion/Questions