To address the significant need for telecommunications infrastructure, Northern Enterprises, Inc., a non-profit, 501(c)3 has designed and will install a fiber optic network with a minimum of 144 fiber optic strands.  The project, NEK North-Link, will consist of the construction of a telecommunication backbone for lease by ISPs and will not be a last-mile provider.  The network will utilize existing fiber where available and financially feasible for the three counties of Caledonia, Essex and Orleans - part of the Economic Development Council of Northern Vermont's (EDCNV) District.  The design of the infrastructure will provide reliable service by utilizing a ring style architecture that will limit the use of lateral spurs off the rings to 15% of the total network.  This state-of-the-art fiber optic network provides a backbone for use by ISPs, allowing them to purchase low-cost access for marketing and building a customer base without the high cost of infrastructure.  This further enables ISPs to offer their services to the end user at a lower cost and customers will benefit from competition among the ISPs.  NEK North-Link will offer the ISPs high technology and a cost-effective transport for high-revenue last-mile marketing and servicing.