Why the Metronet

Up-to-date information technology is key to the successful operation of nearly every organization. By connecting to the nation's largest concentration of coast-to-coast fiber, the St. Joe Valley Metronet gives a huge boost to the IT capabilities of the region.

The Metronet now spans over 50 miles in and around both South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana. Similar in design to an on/off-ramp linked to a high-speed highway, the Metronet provides:

• Carrier-neutral, state-of-the-art telecom infrastructure
• The ability to link local users to long-haul trunk line points-of-presence
• A carrier-grade, fiber-optic metropolitan-area network
• Easy access to many service vendors offering a wide variety of services and solutions.
  
• Readily available, low-cost access to nearly unlimited bandwidth with stunning speed and flexibility

By supplying last-mile connectivity, the Metronet provides businesses, universities, health care, government and other organizations with:

Capacity

• Organizations using the Metronet are achieving speeds of 10 gbps, with potential for even greater speed
• Circuits are more than 6,000 times faster than T-1
• One hop and two milliseconds from the national network POP in Chicago (via multiple carriers)

Flexibility

• Companies can set up facilities whenever and wherever they are most convenient and can easily change or move facilities
• More potential access to long-haul fiber than any other city in the United States
• High-end, singlemode fiber meeting high data transmission requirements
• Over 20 points of presence, connecting to transcontinental fiber and providing high-speed Internet access and data transport to larger cities

Security

• 24x7 network monitoring and repairs
• Protection against tampering and accidents
• Central, secure geographic location, free from geographic disasters and geopolitical concerns
• Buried underground with municipal utilities/operations
• Ringed network, so data continue moving even if there's a break or cut in the cable

Cost savings

• The Metronet provides virtually unlimited gig service for about $1,000 per month
• Average competitor's cost for one-gig service typically runs between $3,000-$5000 per month
• Flat-rate pricing with no per-mile charges
• Readily available, low-cost, high-speed connectivity and transmission of limitless amounts of information