Lake Michigan Crossing Peninsula and Island Connection

Overview

The Lake Michigan Crossing Peninsula and Island Connection is a planned submarine cable system designed to enhance connectivity within the state of Michigan, United States. Scheduled to be ready for service in 2028, the cable will link Beaver Island, Charlevoix, and Gulliver, providing vital communications infrastructure across Lake Michigan. This system will address connectivity needs for both island and mainland communities, improving access to telecommunications, internet services, and enterprise-level data transfer. The cable is a critical step in bridging the digital divide for the region, particularly for the remote population of Beaver Island.

While the exact length of the cable is not yet disclosed, its design reflects the unique geographic and logistical challenges posed by the Great Lakes region. By crossing Lake Michigan, the cable will establish a robust and direct link between key points in Michigan, ensuring reliable and high-speed data transmission for years to come.

Route and Landings

The Lake Michigan Crossing Peninsula and Island Connection will have three landing points: Beaver Island, Charlevoix, and Gulliver, all within the state of Michigan. Beaver Island, the largest island in Lake Michigan, is home to a small, year-round population and is a popular destination for tourism and outdoor activities. Its remote location makes reliable telecommunications infrastructure essential for residents, businesses, and visitors alike. The submarine cable will provide a direct link to the mainland, significantly improving connectivity for the island.

Charlevoix, located on the mainland along the shores of Lake Michigan, is a vibrant town known for its scenic beauty and access to Lake Charlevoix. As a regional hub, it offers critical services such as healthcare, education, and commerce, making it a logical landing point for the cable. Gulliver, another mainland landing point, lies in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Situated near the northern shores of Lake Michigan, Gulliver is part of a rural area that will benefit from enhanced telecommunications infrastructure, supporting local communities and businesses.

Ownership and History

The Lake Michigan Crossing Peninsula and Island Connection is jointly owned by 123NET and Peninsula Fiber Network (PFN), two entities with a focus on expanding and modernizing telecommunications infrastructure in Michigan. The project represents a significant investment in regional connectivity, addressing the unique challenges of linking island and mainland communities across Lake Michigan. By deploying this submarine cable, the owners aim to provide reliable, high-capacity connections that will support economic growth and meet the increasing demand for digital services in the region.

With a planned ready-for-service date of 2028, the cable is part of broader efforts to enhance Michigan’s telecommunications network. The inclusion of Beaver Island in the route highlights the commitment to extending connectivity to underserved and remote areas, ensuring that even small, isolated communities can access modern digital infrastructure.

What Our Measurements Show

Our monitoring of the Lake Michigan Crossing Peninsula and Island Connection has identified 21 measured corridors within the system. The best round-trip time (RTT) recorded is 139 milliseconds, with an average RTT of 181 milliseconds. These measurements indicate a high level of performance and low latency, which are critical for supporting modern applications such as video conferencing, cloud computing, and real-time data services.

Given the geographic layout of the cable, these metrics reflect the efficiency of the system in bridging the distance between the island and mainland landing points. The improved connectivity will have a transformative impact on the communities served, enabling faster and more reliable communication for residents, businesses, and institutions. As the cable becomes operational, it is expected to play a key role in fostering economic development and improving quality of life in the region.