Transforming connectivity in the City of Detroit

Made possible by: Rocket Community Fund, Knight Foundation, Connect Humanity, EntryPoint Networks

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

• Design was a fully architecturally compliant design utilizing an active ethernet solution to support a fully automated open-access network.
• Initial Pilot design of 2,552 addresses was also completed to a detailed level desktop design.
• Every design was accompanied by a detailed BOM (bill of materials) to accurately assess cost of deployment and establish a solid initial budget.
• All designs were completed within four weeks of commencement.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

In 2022, the City of Detroit embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to build a citywide fiber optic network, beginning with the Hope Village neighborhood. This project addresses critical gaps in the affordability and availability of internet services in underserved areas.

With limited fiber optic connections for homes and businesses in Detroit, the city recognized the need for a robust fiber infrastructure to future-proof its connectivity. Fiber provides superior speed, reliability, and scalability, making it the ideal choice for bridging the digital divide.

Detroit’s fiber network will be a fully automated open-access system, allowing residents and businesses to choose from multiple Internet Service Providers (ISPs). This competitive structure ensures better service and lower costs, empowering users to switch providers seamlessly if dissatisfied.

BIARRI NETWORKS' APPROACH

Biarri, in collaboration with partners Rocket Community Fund, Knight Foundation, Connect Humanity, and EntryPoint Networks, delivered a transformative design solution:

• Comprehensive feasibility design: Completed a full active Ethernet feasibility-level design (FLD) for 369,496 households and businesses across Detroit in just six weeks.
• Detailed budget planning: Produced a detailed BOM, enabling EntryPoint Networks to present an accurate budget as part of the Master Broadband Plan.
• Pilot project focus: Designed a detailed desktop plan for Hope Village, an underserved community of 2,552 addresses, many of which endured a 45-day internet outage during the pandemic.
• ARPA funding utilization: The Hope Village project will leverage American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to initiate construction.

IMPACT AND RESULTS

• Timely delivery: All designs and the Master Broadband Plan were completed on time, ensuring eligibility for ARPA funding and expediting pilot deployment.
• Funding expansion: The city will use Biarri's deliverables to apply for additional state and federal funding to accelerate the project’s completion.
• Record-breaking design: This project represents the largest design run through Biarri’s technology stack to date, setting a new benchmark for scale and efficiency.

With this initiative, Detroit is bridging the digital divide and setting a new standard for municipal broadband networks. The city is paving the way for a more connected and equitable future by empowering residents with choice, affordability, and world-class internet access.