Nation's first Citywide Optical Network will be in Eagan | Business

With a groundbreaking ceremony on April 19th, 2010, Eagan MN became the future home of the country's first Metro Ring Fiber Network.  Many individual businesses and residences already have direct optical connections but Eagan Community Fiber will be the very first citywide optical fiber network.  Velocity Telephone, Inc., out of Golden Valley, is a specialist in data and voice communication services and is spearheading the project.

Making use of light pulses traveling through glass strands that are as thin as a human hair, optical fiber technology is 10 times faster than today's conventional communication hardware.  The signal that flashes through optical fiber can travel extremely long distances without degrading and isn't affected by water, lightning, or other elements that can disrupt an electronic signal.

"Eagan understands what broadband will mean for the future", says Jim Hickle, president of Velocity Telephone, Inc.  What does this mean for the average wired house or business of today?  Among other advantages, Hickle says residents of Eagan will soon experience increased reliability, lightning fast internet and future-proof technology, all at a %30-%40 savings.

This is just phase one of a project that will eventually link up every single home and place of business in Eagan's 34.5 square miles.  The first hub, located in the city's northwest, will be operational by this June.