Fixed Networks Featured Article

RCN Metro Optical Networks (News - Alert) will design, build and operate an open network to be owned by OpenCape Corp. and financed in part by the broadband stimulus.

The NTIA, as part of the federal government’s broadband stimulus program, awarded OpenCape a $32 million grant for the 350-mile network.

The network, which will serve as the region’s broadband backbone, will span from the South Coast of Massachusetts onto Cape Cod and the Islands.

The fiber backbone will connect Cape Cod to two of RCN Metro’s major regional network access points in Providence and Brockton, a high-capacity optical transport network, a microwave radio overlay, and a regional colocation center at which public and private organizations from the region can lease space.

Services running over the network will initially include dedicated point-to-point SONET and Ethernet from 1.5 mbps to 10 gbps, switched Ethernet services from 1.5 mbps to 10 gbps, wavelength services from 1.25 mbps to 10 gbps, and Internet access.