DCN, RANGE, and WIN Technology, three backbone fiber networks, have joined forces to build a new high-capacity fiber digital corridor through the heart of America.
The Heartland Fiber Project initiative will create a new long-haul fiber route to support rapidly growing connectivity requirements across the industry while meeting demand from AI hyperscale data center developments in the region. Specifically, the project is designed to increase network capacity, resiliency, flexibility and performance demanded by next generation AI workloads.
This approximately $700 million investment will deploy a 2,000-mile route across Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois, establishing high fiber count and future path conduit between Denver and Chicago – two of the nation’s most important network markets.
Download the Project Overview (PDF)
A new high-capacity fiber corridor connecting Denver and Chicago through the heartland.
Artificial intelligence and hyperscale computing are changing where infrastructure is built and how much data needs to move between locations.
America’s heartland offers access to land, power and climates that can support large-scale data center development. The Heartland Fiber Project is adding significant capacity to existing infrastructure while building resilient connectivity at the scale AI environments require.
Construction began in 2026, and deployment will take place over the next one to two years.
Infrastructure designed to support massive and sustained bandwidth requirements.
Expanded long-haul connectivity and route options across the region.
High fiber count and future path conduit create flexibility for continued expansion.
A new corridor connecting Denver and Chicago while providing access to established regional networks across America’s heartland.
The Heartland Fiber Project brings the regional strength of three established fiber networks with deep infrastructure and operating experience across the heartland.
Serving nearly 400 communities across North Dakota with more than 70,000 miles of fiber optic across its member networks.
Operating more than 6,400 miles of fiber infrastructure across Montana and Wyoming.
Operating a 22,000-mile fiber network across the Upper Midwest.
Whether you’re planning hyperscale infrastructure, expanding a network footprint or evaluating future capacity between Denver and Chicago, we want to hear from you.
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