A Fiber Runs Through It

RVP Fiber intends to quickly take a leadership position as the premier telecommunications infrastructure provider of network services and colocation facilities in the Midwest.

by Bob Woods of OpticallyNetworked.com [October 9, 2001]

Michigan-based RVP Fiber Co. said it would light its already-built fiber-optic network that runs through four states in the Midwest.

RVP Fiber said it is ready to start leasing capacity on its 2,500 mile established fiber network to telecom companies and other service providers in need of immediate fiber optic connectivity.

From its base of operations in Grand Rapids, RVP's network was built across Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana over the past three years with a total investment of $40 million, company officials said. RVP's established network includes 2,500 miles of both metro and long-haul fiber in the following high-growth Tier 1, 2 and 3 markets:

• Michigan: Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Lansing, Saginaw and Ann Arbor
• Illinois: Chicago, Rockford
• Wisconsin: Milwaukee, Green Bay, Madison, Appleton, and Oshkosh
• Indiana: Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Bloomington, Evansville, Elkhart, South Bend, Kokomo, Marion, Muncie and Anderson

"Our network is already developed and we are in key markets that have been underserved to date," said Barry Raterink, president of RVP Fiber Co., in a statement "In today's capital-constrained market, many of our peers are only building networks to meet pre-sold customer contracts. This prevents service providers from entering new markets in a timely manner. With RVP Fiber there is no waiting for the network to be built, so companies looking to utilize high-speed fiber today can have quick access to the quality, end-to-end connectivity they need, when they need it."

In addition to its already established dark fiber network, RVP Fiber also provides carrier-class colocation facilities that enable network users to get closer to their end customers at a minimal cost. As a full-service solutions provider, the company said it will also work with customers to design and build new fiber networks and will partner with companies on joint projects.

"The demand for fiber optic connectivity in tier two and tier three markets such as Grand Rapids, Mich., Madison, Wis., South Bend, Ind. and Oakbrook, Ill. continues to grow. RVP Fiber intends to quickly take a leadership position as the premier telecommunications infrastructure provider of network services and colocation facilities in the Midwest," said Raterink.

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