Schurz Broadband Group Advances its Enterprise Fiber Network with Cisco 8000 Series Next-Generation Routing

Four Schurz operating companies deploy the Cisco 8712 platform to deliver faster, more secure, AI-ready networking services for enterprises and wholesale businesses

MISHAWAKA, Ind., Nov. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Schurz Broadband Group (SBG), the fiber-broadband division of family-owned Schurz Communications Inc., today announced a significant advancement of its enterprise network infrastructure, with the deployment of Cisco's next-generation 8000 Series routing platform. SBG operating companies, Antietam Broadband (Maryland), Long Lines (Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota), NKTelco (Ohio), and Orbitel Communications (Arizona), are standardizing on the compact Cisco 8712 platform and interconnecting through new shared peering points of presence (POP). The initiative will deliver a modern, automated, standards-based architecture designed to support speed, security, and provisioning agility across Schurz's residential, business, and wholesale offerings — all delivered under the company's Flight Fiber brand.

“Preparing for AI traffic is about more than delivering greater bandwidth and lower latency. it’s about enabling the transformative potential of AI for everyone connected to the network,” said Guru Shenoy, SVP, Provider Connectivity, Cisco. “We’re proud to partner with Schurz Broadband Group as it modernizes its network with the Cisco 8000 Series. With a power-efficient, secure, high-performance foundation, SBG can deliver differentiated services and create the network experiences that will help AI transform how people and businesses operate across its markets.”

A Modern Foundation for Multi-Gig and AI-Ready Services, Supports Enterprise and Wholesale Businesses

SBG is advancing its Flight fiber network to meet scalable industry standards, and enable differentiated, low-latency services, providing a pathway for the next wave of AI-driven applications and traffic. The Cisco 8712 delivers high port density and full Internet route peering in an efficient two-rack-unit (2RU) chassis — a fraction of the footprint of the previous-generation, cabinet-sized platforms it replaces. That density translates directly into reduced power consumption and lower data-center space and cooling requirements, freeing capacity and cost for growth.

As part of the upgrade, Antietam Broadband, Long Lines, NKTelco, and Orbitel Communications will be retiring their legacy platforms, and moving to a more flexible and reliable architecture. The new design loads a full Internet routing table in under a minute, giving the network the responsiveness and headroom needed for rapid service turn-up and resilient operations.

“This is about continuing to invest into the local communities we proudly serve in delivering ongoing value-added innovations that also support local economic development,” said Diego Anderson, President, Schurz Broadband Group. “It represents a core mission to provide more attractive and future scalable network service capabilities consistently across our operating companies’ footprint — and brings mutual wins locally for our customers and employee team.”

A Shared Peering Hub in Ashburn, Virginia

At the center of the strategy is an upgraded SBG point of presence in Ashburn, Virginia — one of the world's most connected Internet exchange markets. By bringing multiple broadband properties and their distinct autonomous system numbers (ASNs) into a common peering location, SBG can aggregate and share redundant dedicated Internet access (DIA) across its operating companies. The Cisco 8712's ability to handle robust, full-route peering for multiple ASNs at a single common point makes this consolidation possible in a remarkably small hardware footprint. The result is greater redundancy, improved performance, and a more cost-effective path to premium business connectivity for the communities within the multi-state service territories.

“Modernizing our networks on the Cisco 8712 lets us deliver the speed, security, and agility our customers expect today — and it gives us a platform ready for the AI-driven services of tomorrow,” said Jim Kronebusch, Chief Technology Officer, Schurz Broadband Group. “Doing full-route peering for multiple properties out of a two-rack-unit chassis in Ashburn is a game-changer for how efficiently we can grow.”

Automation, Segment Routing, and Standardization

Beyond hardware, the network advancement emphasizes automation and standardized configurations to simplify operations and accelerate deployment across markets. SBG is transitioning to Segment Routing over MPLS (SR-MPLS) at select properties, with plans to standardize the technology across all Cisco-driven networks. This standards-based approach supports a hitless architecture, avoiding service interruptions during upgrades for failovers, and positions the network to adopt advanced capabilities as clear business cases emerge.

About Schurz Broadband Group (SBG)
 Schurz Broadband Group (SBG) is a division of Schurz Communications that unites and supports the company’s network of high-performing, independently operated regional fiber-based internet providers including Antietam Broadband, Burlington Telecom, Hiawatha Broadband, Long Lines Broadband, NKTelco, and Orbitel Communications. While each broadband company maintains its unique brand and operates independently, SBG provides the collective strength, innovation, and resources to accelerate fiber expansion, enhance digital access, and deliver next-generation services. Through its Flight Suite of products, including Flight Fiber, Flight Video, and Flight Mobile, SBG is building the future of connectivity for residential and business customers. Rooted in community-driven innovation, SBG invests in people, infrastructure, and partnerships to advance economic growth, educational opportunity, and digital equity across the communities it serves. For more information visit: https://www.schurz.com/about/about-schurz-broadband-group/.

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Christy Kemp
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