States could be the next big source of middle mile funding

The US government just dished out $930 million in support for middle mile broadband projects, but a pair of experts said there’s demand for billions in additional funding. Both noted that states could be the next big source of support as they work out how to divvy up their newly allocated Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) allotments. Zayo was one of the big winners in the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) recent award round for the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program, scooping up nearly $93 million for three projects. It was also one of the only big-name providers to win. Bill Long, Zayo’s chief product officer, said that the projects it won grants for are undertakings it has been wanting to tackle for a long time but couldn’t because the business case just wasn’t there. The grants will allow it to both augment its long-haul network but also provide breakout connectivity along both its new and existing routes. Breakout connectivity requires special equipment and enables providers like Zayo to supply dark fiber, wavelengths and other high-bandwidth services to local internet service providers looking to provide last mile connectivity to homes in a given area. When looking at whether such projects are feasible, Long said instead of examining factors like the number of homes passed like last mile providers do, Zayo looks at the number of homes served specifically by the broadband providers it would be selling its services to.