MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – Federal funding has been secured to replace internet technology throughout Upper Michigan. Northern Michigan University is continuing its efforts to remove and replace Wi-Fi internet towers throughout Upper Michigan.
NMU provides the Education Access Network (EAN). It is a personal broadband connection that allows students to connect to their school’s network to meet their educational needs. Today, they are using $27 million in federal funding to “rip and replace” Chinese technology from Huawei Technologies Company and ZTE Corporation.
“What we’ve seen is Chinese equipment from Huawei and ZTE all over the country,” said Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.). “It is clear that there is a national security risk. They are able to access information, which is why we passed legislation to take this equipment away from people across the country and replace it with secure American technology.
NMU spokesperson Derek Hall said they are working to replace this technology and the funding Senator Peters helped secure will allow them to finish the work.
“It’s from a Chinese company,” Hall said. “We’re replacing it with Nokia equipment and we’re working a lot with the federal government. It’s been a good relationship. We really appreciate the support. This will really help finance the end of the second half of replacing all this equipment.
Senator Peters says he has been pushing for the Rip and Replace program for years.
“We’re the ones who have been advocating for this for years,” Peters said. “If you have followed me and my committee hearings, you will know that I have consistently brought up Northern Michigan University at every hearing on this issue. This is a big victory for UP”
With more than 70 towers across upper Michigan, NMU provides internet service to approximately 16,000 families, even in some of the most rural areas of the UP.
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