Service provider spearheadsDetroitentrepreneurship and economic revitalization with a scalable network for the future

HUNTSVILLE, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun. 27, 2016-- ADTRAN®, Inc., (NASDAQ: ADTN), a leading provider of next-generation open networking solutions, today announced that Rocket Fiber has joined the company’s Enabling Communities, Connecting Lives program to continue pushing Detroit’s resurgence forward after a significant economic recession. Rocket Fiber is within the Rock Ventures Family of Companies, which serves as the umbrella entity for all of Dan Gilbert’s portfolio of business and real estate investments including Quicken Loans. The company was born out of Quicken Loans’ internal idea and innovation pipeline.

Rocket Fiber is leveraging ADTRAN’s gigabit broadband services platform to deliver high-speed broadband service to the previously underserved residents and businesses in Detroit. By extending gigabit services to intercity residents and businesses, Rocket Fiber is providing an integral piece to building a new future for Detroit as a next-generation technology smart city.

“The city of Detroit—home to Quicken Loans, the country’s largest online lender—is quickly becoming a destination for innovative tech-based start-ups to thrive, yet the city was unable to find anyone to bring the high-speed connectivity required to sustain growth. ADTRAN enabled us to build our own infrastructure and use it to power and revitalize a city that we loved and to serve a community that needed a helping hand,” said Randy Foster, chief technology officer at Rocket Fiber. “Our goal is to cultivate innovation from small, local businesses and create a unique ecosystem that will support long-standing entrepreneurship in Detroit for years to come.”

Rocket Fiber began by delivering the necessary high broadband services to connect Quicken Loans’ powerhouse data centers; however, it quickly expanded to support Detroit’s Central Business District. Using ADTRAN’s Gigabit broadband platform with ultra-broadband, Internet services are now being delivered across a 20+ mile fiber infrastructure in downtown Detroit. Rocket Fiber believes the availability of such high-speed connectivity will provide yet another spark for entrepreneurship and innovation that will continue to bring the Motor City back to life.

“Rocket Fiber saw that Detroit could thrive if the city encouraged and supported an entrepreneurial culture. Providing small business owners and residents the advancements in technology and Gigabit broadband is instrumental to not only start new businesses in the city, but for them to remain in the city,” said Mitch Fleming, vice president of carrier sales, ADTRAN. “From healthcare and education to real estate and community morale, Rocket Fiber has brought more than just high-speed access to Detroit, they have brought new life to the city.”

View Rocket Fiber’s video case study to learn more about the company’s Gigabit success.

For more information about ADTRAN’s Enabling Communities, Connecting Lives program, click here.