C Spire, a privately held advanced technology company, is expanding its Mississippi fiber network with a new high-capacity corridor between Jackson and Olive Branch. The corridor will link Jackson, Mississippi’s capital and a major center for government, healthcare and business, with Olive Branch and the wider Memphis market since the Memphis area has seen growth in logistics, technology and data center development.
The project will add fiber miles to a 200-mile section of C Spire’s existing network and install a high-count fiber backbone. The additional capacity will be available to organizations, businesses and communities along and near the route according to a press release.
C-level executives from C Spire have expressed their optimism for the project and how it will enhance digital infrastructure and economic growth across the Mississippi and Tennessee states.
Suzy Hays, President & CEO, C Spire, said, “AI is changing the scale and speed at which digital infrastructure must be built, and this expansion strengthens Mississippi’s position in that rapidly growing economy, this project represents a strategic investment in the infrastructure required to support the next generation of technology. While it is designed to support a long-term customer’s continued growth, it also creates opportunities to serve others along the route.”
Brad Carpenter, Chief Operating Officer & EVP, Business Technology, C Spire, said, “This project reflects the confidence that technology customers place in C Spire’s network and our ability to execute complex, long-term infrastructure commitments, we are building with the foresight and operational discipline required to support customers today and meet the next generation of demand.”
Matt Peaster, Executive Vice President, Fiber, C Spire, said, “This is more than a connection between two cities, it is infrastructure for what comes next, by building a high-count fiber backbone of this magnitude, not only are we creating a platform that can support advanced computing, cloud services, and data-intensive operations, we are also laying the groundwork to support economic development for years to come.”
The project is supported by a long-term customer commitment, and the network will also provide access and interconnection options for other organizations along the corridor. Businesses, healthcare providers, educational institutions and other organizations with facilities or planned expansions along the route will be able to work with C Spire to assess fiber capacity and connectivity options.