Working with Leading Industry Partners to
Execute Blueprint for $2 Billion
Network Transformation Plan
Company Continues Progress Toward Day One
Operations
CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 30,
2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Brightspeed today announced
that, in anticipation of operations in the third quarter of 2022,
it has begun design and construction preparation for the planned
deployment of its fiber optics network buildout. Brightspeed's
first office application will take place in North Carolina, home to its recently announced
corporate headquarters. North
Carolina is one of the 20 states that will comprise
Brightspeed's operating territory, spanning mainly rural and
suburban regions of the U.S. The larger network build for the
company's multi-state footprint is expected to begin later this
year.
This initial installation – and the broader planned network –
will use a suite of fiber-based Optical Distribution Network (ODN)
technologies and integrated software that will leverage an
innovative distributed tap (access point) product solution to
support efficiency, while accelerating deployment and market
availability. The unique, state-of-the-art distributed FTTP
deployment model will allow Brightspeed to expand its fiber optics
network at a faster pace than a traditional centralized split
design.
"Given our collective decades of experience with previous
network builds, the Brightspeed leadership team knows what it takes
to deploy fiber at an ambitious scale. Technology has evolved
greatly since the early days of fiber. We are hitting the ground
running here in North Carolina
with a technical architecture that leapfrogs even the most current
state of FTTP networks," said Tom
Maguire, Chief Operating Officer of Brightspeed.
In addition to its previously announced supply chain and
logistics partner KGPCo, Brightspeed is working with a select group
of industry-leading service providers to execute on this first
implementation, including:
- Corning Incorporated (NYSE: GLW) to simplify the fiber
build with its Evolv™ terminals and Pushlok™ connectors, Corning's
newest differentiated plug and play network distribution
technology;
- Calix Incorporated (NYSE: CALX) to leverage the
industry's only cloud platforms that enable end-to-end workflows –
from the access edge to the customer premises – as well as 10G
XGS-PON systems to support and manage high speed symmetrical
services;
- Dycom Industries Inc. (NYSE: DY) in support of the
design and construction of the physical network, leveraging its
unmatched industry knowledge and network of resources; and
- IQGeo Group (LSE: IQG) to provide its geospatial
software solution, designed specifically to accelerate productivity
and collaboration across the network planning, design,
construction, and maintenance processes.
"We are thrilled to work with this stellar team of partners who
understand our mission," added Maguire. "The deployment in
North Carolina is another
milestone for Brightspeed as we prep for our standalone business.
This is the first time many of these technologies will be deployed
at scale in the U.S., and we are both energized and humbled to
serve as a technological pioneer in our industry."
Brightspeed has previously announced plans to invest more than
$2 billion in its fiber optics
transformation that is expected to reach up to 3 million homes and
businesses over the next five years, including in many places where
fiber and advanced technology have not historically been deployed.
The company will initially be comprised of the incumbent local
exchange carrier (ILEC) assets and associated operations of Lumen
Technologies (NYSE: LUMN), which are the subject of a pending
acquisition by Apollo-managed funds (NYSE: APO). While Brightspeed
will not bring customers onto its network until the transaction
closes, this first deployment is designed to serve as a baseline
for the development of the company's planned fiber deployments
throughout its 20-state territory as it prepares for day one
operations.
Maguire continued, "With this blueprint, we are well-equipped to
quickly deliver on our stated goals to bring fast, reliable
Internet and Wi-Fi to more homes and businesses. What is especially
meaningful is that we are working to bring the absolute best
network technology and broadband capabilities that will be so
empowering to the communities we will serve."
For more information about Brightspeed, please visit the
company's website, www.brightspeed.com.
About Brightspeed
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. and expected to have assets
and associated operations in 20 states, Brightspeed will provide
broadband and telecommunications services through a network
platform that serves more than 6 million homes and businesses. The
company aims to bridge the digital divide by deploying a
state-of-the-art fiber network and a customer experience that makes
staying connected simple and seamless. For more information about
Brightspeed, please visit the company's website,
www.brightspeed.com.
Media
Erik Carlson
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer
Katcher
(212) 355-4449
pr@brightspeed.com
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SOURCE Brightspeed