Midco and Switch partner on long-haul routes to support AI demand

Midco and Switch are partnering to deliver broadband infrastructure in Ellendale, North Dakota to support growing AI demand. A five-year agreement targets a 200-terabit network with more than 500 individual 400 gigabit-per-second circuits across two geographically diverse routes between Ellendale and Chicago. The long-haul routes connect business customers to major points of presence sites including Minneapolis, Omaha, Chicago, and Denver. The network is intended to transmit large volumes of voice, video, and data at reliable 400G speeds. State leaders describe the fiber deployment as strengthening North Dakota’s technology ecosystem and positioning the state for next-generation data center and hyperscale investment. Midco also plans to use part of its $500 million Fiber Forward Investment to expand multi-gigabit connectivity using Harmonic’s AI-enabled cOS platform.

"Midco and Switch are partnering to provide broadband infrastructure to support AI demand in Ellendale, North Dakota. The five-year agreement between the two companies is designed to enable a 200-terabit network with more than 500 individual 400 gigabit-per-second (Gbps) circuits delivered across two geographically diverse routes between Ellendale, North Dakota, and Chicago, Illinois."

"The long-haul routes will connect business customers to major points of presence sites like Minneapolis, Omaha, Chicago, and Denver, enabling transmission of massive volumes of voice, video, and data at reliable 400G speeds, Midco said in its announcement."

"“This partnership marks a powerful milestone for North Dakota's digital‑infrastructure future,” said North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong, in a prepared statement about the Midco-Switch partnership. “When a major data center operator chooses to expand with a provider like Midco, it sends a clear signal: North Dakota is rapidly becoming one of the most competitive locations in the nation for high‑performance connectivity, cloud growth and AI‑driven industries.”"

"“The capacity, speed and scalability unlocked by this new fiber deployment not only strengthens our statewide technology ecosystem but also positions North Dakota for the next generation of data center and hyperscale investment,” added North Dakota Department of Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilken in a prepared statement. “This is exactly the kind of forward‑looking infrastructure that fuels innovation, attracts world‑class partners and drives long‑term economic opportunity for our state.”"

Read at Telecompetitor