CMU approves testing for fiber optic cable to improve Beaver Island internet
Beach ouside the Central Michigan University Biological Station, July 29, 2023, Beaver Island, Michigan.
Central Michigan University is collaborating with Peninsula Fiber Network (PFN), LLC, on a proposed project to install an underwater fiber optic cable from Charlevoix to Beaver Island.
The cable would run along the bottom of Lake Michigan and come ashore at the CMU Biological Station, located on the island's east side. Another segment of the cable would extend from the island north to the Upper Peninsula.
Peninsula Fiber Network (PFN), LLCis overseeing the installation of the fiber optic cable, while CMU’s involvement focuses on testing the site at the Biological Station and ensuring the project aligns with environmental conservation goals.
The CMU Board of Trustees recently approved the first step of the project: Conducting geological testing at the Biological Station to determine the suitability of the location for the cable’s transition from underwater to land.
Kevin Pangle, professor of Ecology at CMU and the director of the Biological Station on Beaver Island, said the goal of the project is to enhance internet infrastructure on Beaver Island and the surrounding areas. The installation of the fiber optic cable is expected to improve internet access at the CMU Biological Station.
“Having access to the fiber optic network at the station would greatly improve the strength and reliability of our internet access,” he said. “It also could potentially benefit other community members on Beaver Island, particularly the local school and healthcare facility.”
The initial geological tests at the Biological Station are expected to occur this summer. According to Pangle, these tests are a necessary step in evaluating whether the site is viable for the cable’s landfall transition. He also said the project team will work to ensure that the construction process does not negatively affect the local ecosystems.
“We will want to ensure that the project will have minimal impact on the different ecosystems that exist at our station,” Pangle said.
The timeline for the project indicates that work on the installation of the underwater fiber optic cable could begin as early as 2026. The schedule for the full installation will depend on the results of the geological testing and the progress of the project.
The benefits of the fiber optic network extend beyond the Biological Station. Pangle said by improving internet connectivity, the project could support the island’s local businesses and residents. He said the local school and healthcare facilities, in particular, may benefit from increased speed and reliability of their internet services.
Pangle said the proposed fiber optic cable project collaboration between CMU and Peninsula Fiber Network aims to strengthen internet access to the area while preserving the environmental integrity of the island.
