Metro Optic already runs urban networks in Montréal, where it is based, plus Toronto and Vancouver. Crosslake has a fibre connection across Lake Ontario from Canada into the US. In June 2021 the company set up points of presence in two New York City colocation centres, 60 Hudson Street and 111 8th Avenue.
Mike Cunningham (pictured), founder and CEO of Crosslake Fibre, said: “Reaching our customers in more than 40 critical, local data centres and providing long-haul routes to key international locations is a powerful proposition.”
The two companies say their aim is to deliver “a seamless network solution that offers hyperscale connectivity” between the Canadian cities of Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver and the US cities of Chicago, New York and Washington DC.
Michael Bucheit, general manager of Metro Optic, said: “The combination of Metro Optic’s strong, local presence in the fastest growing data centre and interconnection markets in Canada with Crosslake Fibre’s high-speed long-haul network between the US and Canada creates a unique, one-stop solution for large data users with high performance network requirements.”
Denver-based data centre operator Cologix acquired Metro Optic three years ago for an undisclosed price, giving it ownership of the infrastructure it uses to link its Canadian facilities.
Today’s deal is the second collaboration between Crosslake and Metro Optic. They are partners in a project called Maple Leaf Fibre, intended to connect Montréal with Toronto via the city of Kingston, Ontario. Due to be ready for service at the end of 2023, Maple Leaf Fibre will be terrestrial between Montréal and Kingston and then on the bed of Lake Ontario westwards to Toronto.
Last year Crosslake successfully laid a new European subsea cable, the first to connect England and France for more than 20 years.
