Fiber optic technology will soon connect the east and west coasts of the U.S., making it possible to transmit massive amounts of data in the blink of an eye.

Best of all, it'll run right through South Bend.

The first stage of Allied Fiber's system will link Chicago and New York. It'll run through South Bend's renovated Union Station which has been turned into a high-security facility for telecom firms.

Officials with Allied Fiber predict the new dark fiber line from Chicago to New York will be turned on by summer 2010.

Part of the reason South Bend was chosen was for the St. Joe Valley Metronet. The Metronet covers over 50 miles and connects dozens of area businesses, hospitals, and colleges.

The new Allied Fiber line, and Metronet services should help attract new businesses to the area.