Middle-Mile Networks: What and Why

A middle-mile network is a fiber connection consisting of long-haul core backbone routes and regional routes, and last-mile providers—not unlike the transportation model of high-capacity long-haul interstate highways—can be effective in connecting major cities, inland, cities, remote regions, and everything in-between. In this model, an open-access middle-mile network bridges the gap between the global Internet and any last-mile providers that wish to connect to it, who then bridge the remaining gap to their individual local residential and business customers, as well as fire, earthquake, climate, and smart city sensors. However, to create a truly successful middle-mile network, the following characteristics should be present:

• Partnerships surrounding existing fiber infrastructure to cut down on steep infrastructure installation costs,
• Various fiber servicing options--such as on-demand dark fiber and lit/managed services,
• Design that incorporates resilient and redundant network layout to mitigate natural disaster risk and subsequent broadband outages,
• Flexible policies that allow for the reconfiguration or expansion of fiber networks based on need and opportunity.