Client Wins From September 21

Merit Picks Optical Networking Vendor: Ann Arbor-based Merit Network Inc. has selected Adva Optical Networking as Vendor of Choice for Merit's Broadband Stimulus Project, Reach-3MC. Adva was selected from a number of qualified vendors that responded to a request for proposal Merit issued in late March. While there were several strong proposals, Merit said its thorough review of all RFPs showed that ADVA Optical Networking could best deliver a viable technology solution in support of the Reach-3MC project. "The ADVA Optical Networking proposal meets our immediate needs for a 40 channel system and has the ability to offer native 10 Gbps waves today," said Merit's Director of Network Engineering and Operations, Pete Miller. "Additionally, with this system in place, it will be possible to upgrade to 40 Gbps and 100 Gbps with no optical layer changes. From a wavelength perspective, the system is scalable up to 80 wavelengths per fiber pair with any combination of 2.5Gbps, 10Gbps, 40Gbps, or 100Gbps wavelengths. Merit will be able to offer an extremely robust and highly available network infrastructure, which will allow us to dynamically manage and provision end to end services." For more information on REACH-3MC and Merit's efforts to expand affordable, high-speed broadband access in Michigan, see www.merit.edu/meritformichigan. Merit, owned and governed by Michigan's public universities, owns and operates America's longest-running regional research and education network. In 1966, Michigan's public universities created Merit as a shared resource to help meet their common need for networking assistance.
Since its formation, Merit Network has remained on the forefront of research and education networking expertise and services. Merit provides high-performance networking solutions to Michigan's public universities, colleges, K-12 organizations, libraries, state government, healthcare, and other non-profit organizations. More at www.merit.edu. The Reach Michigan Middle Mile Collaborative (Reach-3MC) will build 1,017 miles of open-access, advanced fiber-optic network through rural and underserved communities in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Reach-3MC will connect 44 community anchor institutions as the network is built and will pass 391 more over time. Led by Merit Network, Michigan's research and education network, Reach-3MC engages three partners from the private sector, ACD.net, Lynx and TC3 net, to make broadband readily available to households and businesses that lack adequate service options in the 33 counties that make up the project service area. Reach-3MC is funded by a grant from the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, commonly referenced as the stimulus package. Adva is based in Hamburg, Germany with United States locations in Paramus, N.J., Richardson, Texas, Norcross, Ga. and McLean, Va.

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