Plenary Broadband Infrastructure expands partnership to advance communications capacity across PA Turnpike

Plenary Broadband Infrastructure (PBI)—a joint venture between Plenary Americas and Tilson Infrastructure (backed by SDC Capital Partners)—along with Tilson, will maintain, operate and commercialize network infrastructure along the newly awarded 276-mile western route of the Pennsylvania Turnpike from Harrisburg to the Ohio border.

The western route extension will connect to the previously awarded 220-mile eastern route of the Turnpike bringing continuous network coverage spanning the state. Municipalities, educational institutions, internet and telecom providers, carriers and cable operators will benefit from the expanded service and enhanced network.

In October 2021, PBI and Tilson were selected to operate, maintain, and commercialize the communications network along the eastern route of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Phase 1 from Harrisburg east to the Delaware River is nearing completion and will activate in spring 2023. Phase 2 on the Turnpike’s Northeast Extension (I-476) to Scranton will activate later this year. Simultaneous design/build contracts will enable the western network to be completed in late 2025.

PBI is offering dark fiber capacity along the route along with lit 1/10/100G wavelengths, connecting Plymouth Meeting to the key data center in Philadelphia at 401 N. Broad. The entire network will have multiple conduits capable of carrying 288 count fiber each, accessible every 2,500 feet via junction boxes and supported by ILA amplification huts every 50-60 miles.

In parallel with the effort in Pennsylvania, PBI and Tilson will also be activating the first network segments in North Carolina in early 2024. The entire I-95 span from Virginia to South Carolina will have high-count fiber available for the first time on the most direct end-to-end route in the state. Two more unique routes to the coast will quickly follow, and then be linked to another new regional path on US-74 protected ROW through Charlotte and on to Asheville, NC.

Businesses interested in dark fiber may contact John Gary at jgary@tilsontech.com or visit www.tilsoninfrastructure.com.

For more information:

Tilson:
Kat Devillier, Director, Brand Marketing
media@tilsontech.com

Tilson Infrastructure:
John Gary, Carrier Sales Director
jgary@tilsontech.com