Capitol News

Two professors from Michigan State University (MSU) are contributing to reducing the digital divide for over 28,000 households in Michigan. Johannes M. Bauer, a professor of media and information at MSU’s College of Communication Arts and Sciences, and Keith Hampton, interim director of the MSU Quello Center, collaborated with MSU IT and Merit Network on Project MOON-Light. This multimillion-dollar initiative aims to expand broadband infrastructure across Michigan.

The project received funding through a grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. It involved installing thousands of miles of middle-mile fiber in 74 counties throughout Michigan.

“Project MOON-Light is a massive upgrade to the internet infrastructure of the state of Michigan,” said Bauer. “It will enable local internet service providers to provide better, more reliable and cheaper service to unserved and underserved households and businesses. It will have ripple effects economically and socially for years to come.”

The MOON-Light network provides regional broadband connectivity via an open-access network accessible by multiple providers, unlike private systems that restrict services to a single provider.

Merit Network CEO Roger Blake described it as “a transformational project.” He stated: “The MOON-Light initiative is a foundational asset and a true force-multiplier for upcoming internet service provider last-mile projects. We are privileged to partner with Michigan State University and the MSU Quello Center and last-mile network operator partners on this initiative that is one of the first-of-its-kind in the nation and now connects over 28,000 previously unserved households.”

Hampton emphasized that this project would help reduce disparities in academic achievement related to inequalities in broadband access. “All Michiganders will now have more opportunity to fully participate in the education system, engage with their communities, and pursue new paths to economic opportunity,” he said.

MSU President Kevin M. Guskiewicz highlighted the importance of closing the digital divide for future success: “Closing the digital divide is essential to the future success of our state and our young people,” he said. “When we partner together to solve our state’s most pressing challenges, we create a place that is full of opportunity — for all people and businesses. This partnership is a prime example of MSU’s proud role as a land-grant university.”