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Frequently Asked Questions


What is IBOP-Southern?

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) awarded Delta Communications, LLC (dba Clearwave Communications) a grant to fund the building of a fiber based network throughout a 23-county region of southern Illinois. This network will provide Internet services and access to community anchor institutions in rural and economically distressed areas of southern Illinois. IBOP Southern stands for Illinois Broadband Opportunity Partnership – Southern region. Other partners in this statewide broadband development initiative include: Illinois Department of Central Management Services, UC2B: Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, Northern Illinois University, and DeKalb County Government. 

What is the objective of the project?

The objective of the project is to bring a fiber-optic middle-mile infrastructure to southern Illinois to meet the growing demands for broadband in the region. In addition to making high bandwidth services available across southern Illinois, a last-mile component of the project will directly connect the fiber to 232 community anchor institutions (CAIs) in order to ensure that the needs of these public serving institutions are met. Commercial services will be made available to business partners, as well as third-party service providers with the goal of reaching more people with broadband in our area. 

Where can I get a detailed map of the fiber path?

A detailed map is not available as this information is proprietary in nature. A general fiber path map is available and is located on the website. To request information regarding Internet or point to point service, please contact Clearwave Communications at 618.294.8000. We would also like to know of any existing or planned fiber networks so they can possibly be worked into the plan.

How can I tell if I'm on or near the fiber path?

Please contact Clearwave Communications at 618.294.8000 to find out more information on the location of the fiber path. A representative will work with the fiber network engineering team on a case by case basis to identify possible fiber connectivity points.

What if I'm not located in the 23-county area of this project?

There are a number of similar projects outside this 23-county project. Contact Clearwave Communications at 618.294.8000 to identify which project covers your area. They will attempt to put you in contact with the correct project staff.

Who can connect to the fiber network?

This project allows 232 selected CAIs to connect to the fiber network. However, after the project’s completion, connection will be open and available for other business partners and third party providers.

How can a metro-fiber network connect to this project?

Clearwave needs information about local fiber projects so that we may help identify which projects we might be able to directly connect to the IBOP-Southern fiber project. If you are part of an existing fiber network or are planning a fiber network, please let a Clearwave representative know as soon as possible.

Who do I contact for information about connecting with fiber?

Please contact a Clearwave representative at 618.294.8000. They will provide consultation services, which includes connectivity information related to the fiber network.

How will this project help, regarding "last mile"?

The project has identified 232 sites along the proposed middle-mile path which will be directly connected via fiber. There will be hundreds of access points along the network where Clearwave can splice the fiber and build to other entities in order to connect them. However, the primary focus of this project timeline is to connect the CAIs. After the project’s completion, Clearwave intends to offer connectivity to business customers and third-party providers. The greatest impact this project will have on “last mile” service is increasing the availability of affordable transport and bandwidth in southern Illinois.

What is the timeline for building the network?

This grant officially began August 1, 2010. Construction is set to begin in January 2011. Some areas may be constructed faster than others, but the full project must be complete by August 1, 2013.

For any other questions, please do not hesitate to call Clearwave Communications at 618.294.8000.