As Hub of Fiber-Optic Cables, Town is Transformed

LYNN, MA-This town’s Cyber District is being transformed with the construction of two fiber-optic cable systems. The cables are centered here, attracting high-tech companies who need the fiber-optic capacity.”This has impacted the value of commercial real estate here,” Peter DeVeau, executive director of the local Economic Development and Industrial Corp., tells GlobeSt.com. “This was a big coup for Lynn.”

360 Networks decided that Lynn, which is on the North Shore, would house its terminus for its $650-million transatlantic cable that connects to Ireland and Nova Scotia. “They were looking for an offshore location that was close to Boston,” DeVeau explains. “We expedited the permitting process and made them feel welcome.” The cable is expected to be ready this spring.

CT-based Asset Channels will be constructing its North-South cable here shortly, which will run from Boston to Miami. “It will provide capacity for the entire East Coast,” notes DeVeau. This cable will be running right by locally based Shore.net, one of the area’s largest Internet service providers and the impetus for the creation of the Cyber District here ten years ago. The cable provided iPrimus with the incentive to buy the company for $43 million.