This is a very quick update on the Anoka Project. The Reader’s Digest version of the Reader’s Digest version: 88% of construction is completed.

There are 237.07 miles in varied stages of construction including approximately 233 miles spliced and ready for service. Just over 239 miles of permits in hand for construction.

And a quick reminder on the project from the Connect Anoka County website…

Connect Anoka County is the county-led effort to increase the amount of fiber optic cable in the county. The Connect Anoka County project has resulted in a partnership between Zayo Bandwidth, LLC and Anoka County. Through the partnership, Zayo Bandwidth applied for and received a National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) grant paying 70 percent of the fiber construction cost and initial equipment. The grant project will construct an approximately 286 mile fiber network throughout Anoka County linking 145 governmental institutions.

The fiber optic cable that is installed as part of the grant will be owned by Zayo Bandwidth. Zayo will provide the capacity services for the governmental network and separately offer connectivity services to the private sector. The grant will also provide dark fiber strands for Anoka County use. The right to use these dark strands is conveyed to the county through a fiber Indefeasible Right to Use (IRU), which is similar to a long-term lease. Should the county decide to use the dark fiber, equipment will need to be purchased and a monthly maintenance fee paid to Zayo.