MDREN has completed evaluating vendor proposals for an upgrade to the optical network and has selected Ekinops. Equipment for the first phase will be ordered shortly and will upgrade the core of the network in Western Maryland to 400 Gb and make our connections in Ashburn redundant.  This work should be completed during the summer and early fall.  In upcoming years the Eastern Shore and central Maryland will also be upgraded to 400 Gb. The upgrade will significantly advance the network capacity to all USM institutions and other member campuses.