Middle-Mile Resource Center
Build a sustainable middle mile without compromise
A broadband network designed to accomplish the transformational mission of bridging the digital divide has many parts. Most of the attention is on the access piece, with a lot of discussion focused on which technology and architecture will guarantee communities will have service in a sustainable way. Many remote and rural areas are located hundreds of miles from the nearest internet Point of Presence (PoP) and need an infrastructure to enable the interconnection. This part of the network is called middle mile (or aggregation network).
As you aggregate ever-increasing last-mile traffic, it’s critical to build a network capable of handling the unprecedented capacity requirements, both tomorrow and for years to come.
Learn about the pressures your network will be under and how strategic planning today can help guide your decisions for a future-ready network.
Don’t guess on bandwidth. Deploy with confidence.
Find out how much capacity your middle-mile really needs.
Next Generation Broadband Architecture
The opportunity is now to evolve from legacy technologies to embracing a new mindset. Openness, modularity, and scalability must be at the core of any new broadband build to enable an efficient and sustainable infrastructure.
How Ciena helps power middle-mile networks
ReadDiamond State Network Middle-Mile Project for Arkansas
ReadCullman Electric powers Gigabit Broadband speeds to Rural Alabama using 100G Middle-Mile Aggregation
ReadProject THOR bringing high-quality, lightning-fast, resilient broadband to rural Colorado
ReadMaryland Broadband Cooperative Picks Ciena for Statewide Middle-Mile Network
Enabling high-quality, lightning-fast, resilient broadband to rural communities in Arkansas
With communities across Arkansas now accessing fast, reliable broadband through DSN’s middle-mile infrastructure, the project is a huge success. Almost 64 percent of Arkansas is now serviced by DSN’s network, and although this is only 50 percent of the total population, it represents 80 percent rural population. The project has allowed many of these community members to access fast broadband for the first time. Residents, healthcare providers, emergency services, and businesses can now access fiber connectivity no matter their location.
A business case tool for smarter broadband choices, sustainable networks, and scalability.
Prioritize sustainability and unlock your broadband potential with Ciena and ACG Research’s new network architecture comparison tool! Discover the cost of building a broadband network, compare various designs and realize savings on space, power and more, all while ensuring a sustainable future.
Utilities and electric cooperatives
A utility’s middle-mile solution needs to have the capacity to aggregate and transport traffic to support the unprecedented capacity requirements for years to come. Ciena’s N x 100/200/400 Gb/s middle-mile network means that broadband customers can have faith in the performance of their subscribed services and know that they have the bandwidth to simultaneously satisfy all their streaming, work from home, remote education, and remote healthcare needs throughout their communities—well into the future.
State governments and tribal nations
State governments and tribal nations around the country are investing in high-speed broadband infrastructure to ensure that a digital future is a reality for all citizens. This begins with a highly resilient, high-capacity, middle-mile network that enables these agencies to access high-performance, reliable, and cost-effective connectivity solutions for broadband access. Learn how Ciena’s solution is supporting state governments and tribal nations in providing connectivity for all.
Research and education
The research and education networks (RONs and RENs) plays a significant role in providing affordable, open-access, middle-mile broadband infrastructure to enable last-mile networks connect underserved communities. Without high-speed broadband connectivity, communities will face challenges to thrive. Learn how Ciena’s carrier-grade, resilient, responsive solution can build a next-generation network to support the growing demands of the future.
Ciena’s CTO, Steve Alexander, shares how Ciena is helping communities and providers
address new opportunities to connect, grow network capacity, and bridge the digital divide.
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