Expanding the Middle Mile
Bridging the digital divide in the Northeast
Middle Mile expansion plays a crucial role in improving connectivity in previously unserved and underserved areas. The backbone of the internet infrastructure, access and affordability rely on linking local ISPs and telecom carriers to tier-one facilities.
Our experience encompasses many projects throughout our region where success was achieved by overcoming myriad deployment challenges from navigating difficult terrain to anticipating weather extremes to managing environmental and permitting concerns. We’ve done it all while keeping schedules moving and on task.
Maine MOOSE Net
Sertex was awarded a multi-million-dollar design-build contract in early 2025 by the Maine Connectivity Authority to engineer and construct 450 miles of the Maine Online Optical Statewide Enabling Network (MOOSE Net).
This Middle Mile fiber network will bring affordable, reliable internet connectivity to Maine’s most rural and underserved communities, supporting high-capacity connections for more than 11,000 homes and businesses, plus 200 community anchor institutions.
MOOSE Net will serve as the backbone infrastructure for internet service providers, wireless carriers, and other entities delivering Last Mile connections throughout the state. Our experience navigating difficult terrain, weather extremes, and complex permitting processes makes us uniquely suited for this challenging deployment in Maine’s rural geography.
Construction begins in fall 2025 with completion expected within two years. Sertex will open a new regional office in central Maine and create sustainable, high-quality jobs for local residents as part of this vital infrastructure project.
Municipal Networks
Over the past two decades, we have helped dozens of communities throughout our region construct private fiber optic networks to connect schools, libraries, public safety, and other community anchor institutions. We have also worked to extend Middle Mile connections to build fiber to the home with reliable GPON passive optical technology.
With an infusion of new funding from BEAD and ARPA initiatives, we are proud to continue and expand our work with municipalities over the coming years.
The OpenCape Middle Mile
Our long partnership with OpenCape is one example of our commitment to expanding the Middle Mile.
Based in Barnstable, Mass., OpenCape owns and operates approximately 500 miles of fiber optic network that extends from Providence, RI, to southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.
We were first contracted as the Construction Manager for a $41 million, 400-mile ADSS fiber optic network project connecting 76 municipal and cell tower sites in Southeastern Massachusetts. The project also included a Microwave Radio overlay, providing additional capabilities and a connection to Martha’s Vineyard.
In 2016, we were selected to construct 30 miles of lateral cable plant, connecting the Cell Site locations for the AT&T Eastern Massachusetts Backhaul Project.
Currently, we are OpenCape’s partner in extending its 100% fiber network to more communities throughout Cape Cod.
