Network operator and data center services provider Level 3 has expanded its network’s fiber backbone into eastern Washington State, specifically Quincy and East Wenatchee.

This is a strategic move to capture demand for connectivity in one of the major and quickest-growing US data center markets. There are a number of large provider and enterprise data centers in the region, with new ones being built.

Paul Savill said Level 3 expanded its network based on both existing demand and seeing opportunity for market growth. Eastern Washington has both.

“"Eastern Washington is a key region for Level 3 in terms of growth, and we are delighted that our expanded capacity in the area will enable businesses to improve efficiency and expand, all while leveraging Level 3's advanced, international fiber network,” he said.

Companies with substantial data center presence in the region include Dell, Yahoo!, Microsoft and VMware, among others. Sabey is one of the largest wholesale providers here, and Vantage, a young but successful Santa Clara, California-based wholesaler, is currently building a data center in Quincy.

Because of the growth in the region’s data center sector, network requirements there are changing. Customers need more robust backbones that can handle more capacity.

Level 3 has installed more than 200 miles of fiber cable and connections to the five customer data centers. In addition to its own fiber-optic backbone (connected to the provider’s own international network), it is offering customers connectivity to regional incumbent local exchange carriers.

Wavelength options available include Gigabit Ethernet (GbE), 40GbE and support for 100GbE capabilities in the future.