Bluebird Network, a Midwest U.S. communications infrastructure provider and operator of two data centers and 10,000 miles of fiber, on Mar. 2 announces expanded 5G network deployment plans to provide fiber access to more than 500 towers.
The additional fiber expands Bluebird's network reach across five states, reaching 28 markets throughout the Midwest, to support 5G network deployments. The expanded fiber network will enhance connectivity for businesses, carriers, and communities with access to reliable, secure, and high-capacity network services.
The firm reports the network expansion is currently underway and is expected to be completed by the end of 2021. Bluebird Network’s expanded fiber reach supports densification initiatives steadily underway throughout the US, particularly benefiting the Midwest in the following metro markets:
- Missouri: Columbia, Jefferson City, Kirksville, Macon, Hannibal, La Plata, Mountain View, Rangeline, Fayette, Kahoka, and Moberly
- Illinois: Rockford, Peoria, Monmouth, Sterling, Rock Falls and Dixon
- Iowa: Knoxville, Indianola, Burlington, Waterloo and Ottumwa
- Kansas: Coffeyville, Independence, Salina and Parsons
- Oklahoma: McAlester and Broken Bow.
“The 5G movement is underway, and Bluebird plans to be a major player in enabling its rollout and subsequent adoption. Our commitment to deploy fiber to over 500 towers will further strengthen Midwest businesses and residents with enhanced network access to leverage the latest technology driving digital transformation,” commented Michael Morey, president and CEO of Bluebird Network.
Morey continued, “We understand these connections are no longer a luxury, they are a necessity for businesses. Many applications require low latency to ensure optimal performance, requiring a concerted effort to move access closer to end-users. Bluebird is stepping up its network capabilities to ensure the communities we serve have the connectivity needed to embrace the digital economy.”
Bluebird’s enhanced network reach complements the company’s initiatives executed in 2020, including the following:
- Purchased Colohub Data Center in Bettendorf, Iowa January 1, 2021 – renaming it Bluebird Quad Cities Data Center.
- Founded the Springfield Internet Exchange Point (SpringIX) in October 2020 which is housed within the Bluebird Underground Data Center in Springfield, Missouri.
- Completed dense fiber builds in Springfield, Missouri (61 route miles), Jefferson City (26 route miles), Joplin (21 route miles), and Strafford (60 route miles).
- Engineered Columbia, Missouri’s largest fiber build ever (60 route miles), a project which also nurtured the city’s 5G capabilities.
- Connected an array of mobile service towers in Hannibal, Missouri to support the city’s 5G network.
- Acquired the Illinois Network Alliance, expanding Bluebird’s fiber footprint into Illinois.
Bluebird Network provides an array of fiber services necessary for businesses to thrive in the next era of digital transformation, including dedicated internet, Ethernet solutions, cloud connections, dark fiber, wavelengths, colocation, and more. To learn more, visit www.bluebirdnetwork.com.