Facebook has announced the successful completion of the first phase of its latest fiber network in Indiana. The firm said that new fiber routes will help it support its 3 billion users around the world as the connections between its data centers become faster. The network route, which spans 80 miles, runs along Interstate 70 between Indiana and Ohio.
In partnership with the communications infrastructure provider Zayo, Facebook has now begun the second phase of the network. The second phase will connect from Indianapolis, along Highway 40, to the Indiana/Illinois border. It’s expected that the second phase will be completed by the end of the year and together both network routes will go from east to west across the state.
When complete, the counties of Wayne, Henry, Hancock, Marion, Hendricks, Putnam, Clay, and Vigo will benefit from the improved infrastructure which Facebook hopes will boost economic growth, opportunity, and job creation.
Commenting on the announcement, Michele Kohler, Business Development Manager, Network Investment at Facebook, said:
“Building infrastructure that brings everyone closer together and connects us to what matters most — that’s what we do at Facebook. From education and remote learning to health care, agriculture, e-commerce, and small businesses — it is clear that infrastructure investments create more than just a connection to the internet; they create opportunities for people to connect to the rest of the world.”
Facebook said it plans to form partnerships with local and regional internet providers so that broadband access for people can be boosted, including in underserved rural areas where connection speeds are slower.