Bob Stovall VP, Network Operations & Engineering bes@merit 734-527-5704

1. Following the BTOP MoneyWhat to do after the grant arrivesMerit’s REACH-3MC ProjectEducause August 4, 2010

2. Bob StovallVP, Network Operations & Engineering bes@merit.edu734-527-5704

3. Agenda • Merit for Michigan • REACH-3MC Scope • Funded – Challenges Begin • Learning the Bureaucracy! • Engineering the Network • Implementation & Delivery • Lesson’s Learned • Measuring Success! • Questions & Answers 1

4. About Merit • The Michigan Education Research Information Triad (MERIT) formed in 1966 because, “significant benefits might be gained from sharing computing resources via an electronic linkage…” • Merit is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. • Merit operates the longest running Regional Optical Network (RON) in the country. • Established Affiliate Member program in 1990 to connect Higher Education, K-12 Schools, Libraries, Government, Health Care, Research Organizations, and other Non-profit Organizations. • 1969 NSF grant for computer networking with only comparable work at BBN (ARPANET) • Merit Embarks on a Fiber and Wireless Backbone Strategy in 2003 • 2010 ARRA grant to construct a middle-mile fiber optic infrastructure in rural areas of Michigan (REACH-3MC) • 2 • 2

5. Merit’s Goal has been to interconnect the Upper Peninsula and Lower Peninsula by fiber 2008 Competed UP, Bridge, and most of Southern lower Peninsula 2009 ARRA Opportunity 3 Merit for Michigan

6. Merit for Michigan REACH-3MC – Awarded!Rural, Education, Anchor, Community, Healthcare – Michigan Middle Mile Collaborative • Merit’s ARRA application was approved on 1/20/10. • Middle-mile network covering over 955 miles and reaching 33 counties. • 72 strands of fiber • 3 – For-Profit Partners 4

7. REACH-3MC Scope • Routes are in four corridors: • Southern Corridor, Monroe to Benton Harbor • Western Corridor, Benton Harbor to Mackinaw City • Central Corridor, Mount Pleasant to Hillman • Eastern Corridor, Midland to Oscoda • Segment lengths are selected to match fiber loss verses optical system transmission capability • Intermediate cities were selected for “drive by” to allow future service to under served areas 5

8. Engineering the Network Engineering & Build Process: • 955+ Miles! • Dedicated Project Manager • Environmental Assessment • Engineering • Permitting • Materials • Construction • Equipment installation 6

9. Engineering the Network Environmental Assessment: • Required by NEPA • Must be completed within 6 months of notification • Permitting and Construction cannot start until EA is accepted Permitting Process: • Engineering firm creates the permit documentation • Require digital photographs of all utility poles • Merit team will submit permits to the appropriate entities • Control the process and priorities 7

10. Funded – Opportunities Begin • Learning the NTIA/BTOP Program Compliance • Environmental Assessment • State Historic Preservations Office • Tribal Historic Preservations Office • Quarterly Reports • How are we responding? • Breaking down the process…keeping in mind the easy and hard stuff. • 1st Engineering, 2nd Construction, 3rd Materials • Streamlining processes and managing the dollars • Manage those easy wins! 8

11. Engineering the Network • Using one Engineering firm for the whole project • Provides consistent documentation • Consistent process • Easier to project manage • Control cost • Unit pricing • $0.01/ft savings equals $57,400 over the whole project • Utility management 9

12. Engineering the Network Construction: • Bid out as per unit (cost per foot and per splice) • Economies of scale • Increased flexibility • Ability to move construction crews as needed • ~20 Crews – estimated to complete 1 mile per day, 20 miles a day, estimated to take 50 work days to complete the outside plant work • Critical part is permitting and make-ready Materials: • Purchase in bulk! • Economies of scale • Consistent materials through out the infrastructure • Control delivery of materials • Consistent operational management after installation 10

13. Engineering the Network Determining the fiber route/path: • Drive the route early and often • Early spring • Learn something different with each drive • Approach route in both directions • Different direction, different perspective • In urban areas walk the area • Search for existing conduit and infrastructure • Already disturbed surfaces • Someone else has already figured it out • Don’t believe the tools and documentation • Visually verify each site • 11

14. Engineering the Network • Route changes after EA submission • Work with NTIA Project Officer • Continue to investigate saving opportunities • Work with local communities to discover current infrastructure opportunities • Remember changes must be aligned within the scope of project 12

15. Implementation & Delivery • 13

16. Services – Leveraging the Infrastructure Fiber Utilization Plan: • Merit will immediately light two pair of fiber • One fiber pair will be lit with long haul DWDM 10ge electronics and connect major sites • Approximately 150 to 200 miles apart • No mid segment node insertions planned • The second fiber pair will be lit with CWDM 1ge electronics • This will be the access network • Many mid segment insertions planned • Driving signal both directions to nearest 10g node • Remaining dark fiber will be available for future network expansion and lease 14 10g North Node 1g Mid Node 1g Mid Node 10g South Node

17. REACH II • 15

18. Lesson’s Learned – So Far! • Community outreach is critical • Start engineering as soon as possible • Work closely with State Governmental Agencies • Department of Transportation • Department of Natural Resourses • State Historic Preservation Office • Tribal Offices 16

19. Lesson’s Learned – So Far! • Manage the easy stuff • Greatest areas of savings and speed • The hard stuff is the great unknown • Keep utilities informed • Competition is your greatest asset • Manage in bite size pieces • Learn from others 17

20. Discussion/Questions • More Information:http://www.merit.edu/meritformichigan/