The proposed eastern nevada middle mile fiber network, a 431-mile open-access middle-mile fiber optic network, is intended to improve regional network redundancy and resiliency, both for networks that…

The State of Nevada, doing business as the Office of the Governor, received a $87.1 million Project Grant award from the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration under the Middle Mile (Broadband) Grant Program (CFDA 11.033). The grant will fund construction of a 431-mile open-access fiber optic network running north-south along US 93 to connect a major internet exchange in Las Vegas to an interconnection point in Wells, Nevada. This middle mile network aims to improve regional network redundancy and resilience by completing a statewide fiber ring, while also bringing fiber connectivity to unserved and underserved areas and connecting numerous anchor institutions. It is expected to directly impact last-mile broadband offerings for unserved rural communities along the route and support interconnection with any provider seeking to deliver last-mile broadband services. The five-year period of performance for this infrastructure project runs from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2028. No subrecipients were listed.

Activities

Construction of an underground 431 mile fiber network with a 5 year period of performance.

Expected outcomes

1. 431-mile open-access middle-mile fiber optic network, running north to south along US 93 connecting a major internet exchange in LAS vegas to an interconnection point in northeastern nevada in the rural town of wells, NV thus improving resiliency by completing a state-wide fiber ring. 2.bring fiber into unserved and underserved areas and serve as a communications pathway to many anchor institutions. 3.improve regional network redundancy and resiliency, both for networks that serve last-mile residential areas and for government and anchor institution services. 4. Lower prices for services where they exist and creating more affordable options throughout the area. 5.support interconnections with any provider seeking access to deliver last-mile broadband services. 6. Promote competition and enable a wider range of affordable last-mile service offerings throughout the state. 7. Construct a network underground, protecting against adverse weather impacts, including those influenced by climate change. 8. Serve national security interests by delivering a public internet connection to the nellis air force base as well as the department of defense network through the nevada test and training range and nevada national security site. 9. Enable access to potential last-mile providers who could serve ELY shoshone reservation. 10. Directly impact the last-mile market offerings for the unserved, rural communities along the route.

Intended beneficiaries

The proposed route will pass within 10 miles of 20,594 locations that are unserved and 1,000 that are underserved. Unserved and underserved populations throughout the proposed project service area on the eastern side of the state will benefit from this project particularly those in clark, white pine, and lincoln counties which have higher poverty rates than the national average. In addition, there are 23 cais within 1,000 FT of the network. The network will serve national security interests by delivering a public internet connection to the nellis air force base as well as the department of defense network through the nevada test and training range and nevada national security site. IT will also provide access points close to ELY shoshone reservation where residents struggle to get reliable service due to limited middle-mile connectivity. Subrecipients activities: none