Bluebird Network’s Hannibal, Missouri Expansion Enhances its On-Net Building Count, 5G Wireless Backhaul Capabilities

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI--Bluebird Network has completed a 4.5-mile fiber expansion within the city of Hannibal, Missouri. The buildout connects 16 small cell towers in the area in support of a 5G network and brings the total number of fiber miles in Hannibal to 13.5.

This build also makes its fiber available to more area businesses. It will add 45 near-net buildings in the area, raising the total number in Hannibal to 554 and reaffirming the company’s commitment to municipalities and metros across the Midwest. With several projects still to be completed in the coming year, Bluebird’s growth trajectory remains strong. Recently, the company’s network surpassed a total of 60,000 on-net and near-net buildings.

“Bluebird is empowering businesses and organizations that innovate wherever they are,” said Michael Morey, President and CEO of Bluebird. “These types of builds bring high-quality, high-speed bandwidth capabilities to places that previously may not have had fiber connections, delivering crucial services and solutions that ensure customers thrive in a digital era.”

Hannibal, Missouri is just one of several areas where Bluebird is expanding its fiber presence.

The wholesale provider has made similar moves in other parts of Missouri, extending its network to Strafford, Wentzville and Weldon Spring, MO. It also purchased Illinois Network Alliance (INA), to strengthen its Midwest fiber service reach to cell towers, hospitals, schools, government facilities and other businesses. 

These expansions will be furthered by becoming a part of Macquarie Infrastructure Partners (MIP), which acquired Bluebird in September via a partnership with Uniti. This enables Bluebird to expand its fiber footprint even further, providing greater access to existing customers and reaching out to new service areas.

As part of its deal with MIP, Bluebird gained an immediate 2,500 fiber route mile expansion into Illinois by acquiring Uniti’s Midwestern fiber business, including Rockford, Peoria, Bloomington, Normal and the Quad Cities area.