Zayo Builds the Backbone for Western U.S. AI Growth with Completion of the Umatilla–Prineville–Reno Route
The 622-mile inland corridor expands network across the western U.S., connecting the data, compute, and cloud environments driving AI at scale.
Zayo, a leading global communications infrastructure provider, announced the completion of its Umatilla–Prineville–Reno (UPR) long-haul fiber route, a 622-mile corridor that establishes a new backbone for how the western U.S. connects and scales AI. As the future of AI is built as much in the ground as it is in the labs and data centers, the UPR route connects the West’s emerging AI ecosystems through Zayo’s future-ready dark fiber networks, delivering the speed, reliability and scale AI demands.
The UPR route is part of Zayo’s strategy to expand the critical infrastructure powering AI growth across the U.S. Purpose –built for AI and cloud workloads, the fully owned and operated route connects two of the region’s fastest-growing AI and cloud hubs, through the first direct inland path. It provides a resilient, diverse alternative to the I-5 corridor and extends carrier-grade access to unserved and underserved communities across Oregon, California, and Nevada.
“While others plan, we’re building the infrastructure that makes AI possible,” said Bill Long, Chief Product and Strategy Officer at Zayo. “Without connectivity, data centers and AI factories are just expensive refrigerators: cold boxes of compute with no way for data to get in or out. We’re delivering the capacity and reach where it’s needed to ensure AI can work, scale, and innovate without limits.”
Built with SMF-28 fiber, multiple conduits, and 13 Zayo-owned ILAs, the route is engineered for low latency and high fiber count to support AI and cloud workloads. With its completion, the UPR route integrates into Zayo’s existing West Coast long-haul and subsea network systems, extending connectivity across the western U.S. and strengthening the backbone supporting the region’s growing AI corridor.
Funded in part by the NTIA Middle Mile Grant Program, the UPR route advances Zayo’s long-term investment to close infrastructure gaps and expand digital access across the U.S. Earlier this year, Zayo announced plans to build 5,000 new long-haul route miles by 2030 to proactively address bandwidth bottlenecks, an initiative that builds on the same vision of expanding connectivity. Together, these efforts reinforce Zayo’s role as the network builder connecting where AI actually happens.
With more than 19.5 million fiber miles and 1,700 on-net data centers already in operation, Zayo remains the trusted partner for hyperscalers, neoclouds, and data centers powering the world’s most advanced digital ecosystems.
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