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University of Missouri Selects 1102 GRAND As Interconnection Facility to Support Statewide Research & Education Network

Posted on: Tuesday, 3 June 2008, 12:00 CDT

KANSAS CITY, Mo., June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- 1102 GRAND, Kansas City's Carrier Hotel and carrier-neutral colocation provider, announces the Missouri Research and Education Network (MOREnet), a unit of the University of Missouri, one of the nation's largest and most prestigious public research universities, will build out a data center facility and connect to the building's carrier neutral Meet Me Room. MOREnet operates a shared statewide network that provides Internet access and interactive video to Missouri's public sector as well as providing technical support and training services. Established in 1991 and based in Columbia, MOREnet serves 515 Missouri K-12 schools, 67 colleges and universities, 131 libraries, teaching hospitals and clinics, and 34 related affiliate organizations.

The goal of this project is to build a high performance network in the state of Missouri to support the university's intercampus network and replace the existing MOREnet backbone to meet the research and internet connectivity needs of Missouri's K-12 schools, colleges and universities, libraries, hospitals and clinics, and other MOREnet members. "Our member organizations' network requirements are becoming increasingly complex with an emphasis on scalability and flexibility," stated Hank Niederhelm, MOREnet's Director of Infrastructure. "Expanding into 1102 GRAND was an important decision for us because it gives us the ability to reach so many networks quickly and cost effectively. Not only can we cross connect with the carriers we need today, but we have protected our network and data center investment by ensuring we can connect with so many additional providers in the future."

1102 GRAND is Kansas City's largest carrier-neutral facility specifically enhanced with the infrastructure to host and provide services to an array of global network operators including carriers, service providers and enterprise customers who demand secure, connected, customized solutions for their core networking equipment. "Higher education institutions, especially research-oriented universities, are on the leading edge of technology and require access to powerful and robust networks," commented Darren Bonawitz, Partner at 1102 GRAND. "The University of Missouri and MOREnet clearly understand the value of carrier hotels and will be able to leverage our carrier neutral Meet Me Room to deliver substantial value to their member organizations."

About 1102 GRAND

1102 GRAND is the largest carrier neutral facility in the Kansas City Metro area and is one of the fastest growing of its kind in the Midwest. The building serves as a major hub for voice and data traffic in the region by providing a facility with the necessary infrastructure for carriers, service providers, and enterprise customers to do business together reliably and cost effectively. 1102 GRAND offers a wide array of colocation options including cabinets, cage space, private data suites, and raw space for larger build outs up to 7000 contiguous square feet all of which are connect to a carrier neutral Meet Me Room which houses the vast majority of Kansas City's carriers and service providers including AT&T, Level (3), Verizon Business, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communication, and Qwest. For more information, visit: http://www.1102grand.com/.

About MOREnet

MOREnet links Missouri to a world of knowledge through a statewide research and education network. Schools, public libraries, academic institutions and state agencies linked to the network have access to a secure broadband Internet connection, staff training, technical support and electronic resources, making equitable access possible across Missouri.

1102 GRAND

CONTACT: Darren Bonawitz, +1-816-471-7872, Darren@1102Grand.com

Web site: http://www.1102grand.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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