The Meeker Energy Project is a rural fiber expansion in Minnesota, where its broadband arm, Vibrant Broadband, is upgrading its infrastructure to provide faster and more reliable internet services for homes, farms, and businesses in several counties. This initiative uses Ribbon Communications' technology to create an intelligent middle-mile network. Ribbon's NPT 2100 routers and automation software are helping Vibrant Broadband move from a traditional ring-based network to a more efficient, 400G-ready IP-MPLS network, allowing for expanded services and a simplified topology.
The Meeker Energy Project and Vibrant Broadband
Goal: To provide high-speed broadband to unserved and underserved rural areas in Central Minnesota, helping to bridge the digital divide.
Scope: The project involves laying over 170 miles of new fiber to connect more than 400 rural locations across counties like Meeker, Kandiyohi, Stearns, Wright, McLeod, and Renville.
Hybrid Approach: Vibrant Broadband uses a hybrid system combining fiber and fixed wireless to deliver high speeds across its widespread rural service area.
Dual-Purpose Fiber: The cooperative leverages its fiber build-out not only for broadband but also to gain greater visibility into its electric infrastructure operations.
How Ribbon Communications helped
Intelligent Middle-Mile Network: Ribbon provided its IP-optical kit and automation software to build a new, advanced middle-mile network.
Network Modernization: This involved transitioning Vibrant Broadband's network from an older 10G ring-based structure to a more scalable and efficient 400G-ready IP-MPLS network using Ribbon's NPT 2100 routers.
Automation and Efficiency: Ribbon's MUSE Multilayer Automation Platform simplifies network management and allows for a more efficient, meshed network topology, which is less complex than creating multiple rings.
Scalability: The new infrastructure is designed for future growth, with the ability to upgrade to 400G with just an optical change, ensuring it can support future technological demands.
Service Expansion: By simplifying the network and leveraging Layer 3 capabilities, Vibrant Broadband can now offer new services and functionalities that were previously not possible.
Vibrant Broadband Secures $4 Million for Expansion of Rural.
