"Next Big Leap in Digital Equity starts with Middle-Mile Networks " says MCNC CEO Tracy Doaks

DURHAM, NC / ACCESS Newswire / August 27, 2025 /As the national conversation on broadband expansion continues to focus on the "last mile" - the direct connections to homes and businesses - experts warn that real progress toward digital equity depends on what lies in between. Tracy Doaks, president and CEO of MCNC, argues that investment in "middle-mile" infrastructure is the key to closing the digital divide. In this Q&A, Doaks explains why the middle mile matters, how it powers North Carolina 's digital backbone, and why sustained public support is critical for ensuring access, affordability, and opportunity in underserved communities.

Q: When people talk about broadband expansion, why do you emphasize the "middle mile" instead of just the "last mile"?
Tracy Doaks: Most conversations focus on the "last mile," the connection to individual homes or businesses. But in many rural and underserved communities, there 's nothing nearby to connect to. The infrastructure simply isn 't there. The real barriers lie in the middle - the miles of fiber that form the backbone of connectivity.

Q: What role does MCNC play in addressing that challenge?
Doaks: At MCNC, we manage more than 4,500 miles of middle-mile fiber across North Carolina. This network connects every public school, every community college, and every public university in the state. It also supports telehealth networks, libraries, and local government services. Middle-mile infrastructure may be invisible to most people, but its impact is enormous - it makes education, health care, and economic growth possible.

Q: You often compare the middle mile to highways. Why?
Doaks: Just as the interstate system allowed people and goods to move across the country, middle-mile fiber enables digital services to flow. It makes it easier and more affordable for last-mile providers to connect homes and businesses. Without it, rural areas aren 't viable investments for providers. By building from the middle out, we remove barriers, lower costs, and make it possible for innovation to reach communities long overlooked.

Q: How does this translate into real-life impact?
Doaks: Connectivity isn 't just about faster internet speeds - it determines opportunity. During COVID, some students couldn 't attend virtual school because they had no reliable connection. Patients had to drive to libraries for telehealth visits. Families traveled hours, often at personal cost, just to reach care. By reducing the cost of reaching remote areas, middle-mile infrastructure creates a ripple effect that benefits households, businesses, and entire communities.

Q: What kind of support does this work require?
Doaks: It takes more than nonprofit networks like MCNC. We need policymakers and funders who understand what 's at stake. Programs like the Universal Service Fund (USF) and BEAD are critical for schools, clinics, and underserved regions. But these programs are at risk. If they falter, entire communities could be left behind again. We 're invested in this work - financially and philosophically - but we can 't do it alone. Middle-mile investment must remain a national priority.

Q: Looking ahead, what 's next for digital equity?
Doaks: We must treat connectivity as essential infrastructure, just like roads, water, or electricity. If we plan for and fund middle-mile fiber with that level of seriousness, we won 't just improve internet speeds. We 'll strengthen education, transform health care, and support local economies. The next leap in digital equity won 't come from one device or one program - it will come from strong, secure infrastructure built to serve everyone.

About MCNC:

MCNC is a technology nonprofit that builds, owns, and operates the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN), one of the nation 's most advanced statewide fiber optic networks. With more than 4,500 miles of fiber, MCNC delivers high-speed connectivity and technology services to K-20 education, healthcare, public safety, libraries, and government agencies. For over 40 years, MCNC has provided critical infrastructure and support to ensure communities across North Carolina have affordable, reliable, and secure access to the technologies needed for education, innovation, and economic growth.

Media Details:
James Nester
https://www.mcnc.org
jnester@mcnc.org
Triangle Park, North Carolina

SOURCE: James Nester

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