Building Broadband: Conexon Connect completes Florida fiber broadband project; Gateway Fiber closed $250M funding round to accelerate fiber deployment
In this latest issue of Building Broadband, we’re tracking new broadband deployments from Conexon Connect, Gateway Fiber, GoNetSpeed, Metronet, Ripple Fiber, Surf Internet and Wilkes Telephone Membership Corp.
Conexon Connect completes its first Florida fiber broadband project
Conexon Connect has completed its first fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) project in Florida, a 2,000-mile network launched in partnership with Escambia River Electric Cooperative (EREC). This marks the completion of the ISP's sixth FTTH network. With this milestone, Conexon Connect has delivered fiber internet access to 12,000 EREC members across rural Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in northern Florida, bringing high-speed internet service to homes and businesses previously lacking broadband connectivity.
Gateway Fiber closes $250M funding round to accelerate fiber deployment
Gateway Fiber has closed an incremental $75 million in debt financing, targeted towards the provider’s continued expansion of its fiber network through 2025 in Missouri, Minnesota, and Massachusetts in three key markets. Gateway has raised $250 million in debt financing this year, with Texas Capital acting as the administrative agent and Texas Capital Securities as lead arranger alongside three joint lead arrangers: JPMorgan Chase Bank, Third Coast Bank, and CIBC. The expanded credit facility and the ongoing support of Gateway’s equity sponsor, CBRE Investment Management, provide Gateway with ample capital to pursue growth.
GoNetspeed targets Springfield, Mass with fiber broadband
GoNetspeed will wire the City of Springfield, Mass, with its fiber internet service. When it completes this fiber build, 17,400 homes and businesses throughout Springfield will be connected to symmetrical broadband speeds. Through GoNetspeed’s $8.3 million investment in Springfield, construction is expected to begin in the coming weeks, with the first homes and businesses connected as early as this winter. GoNetspeed expects the entire construction process to be completed in early 2026.
Lumos invests nearly $150M to bring fiber to Stark County, Ohio
Lumos is expanding its fiber internet service to Stark County, Ohio, bringing nearly a $150 million investment of more than 2,000 miles of its fiber network. Engineering work is already underway and construction is set to begin in 2025. This is Lumos’ third investment in Ohio, with an expansion expected to pump nearly half a billion dollars into the Buckeye State economy. Lumos’ fiber internet service will be available in several communities: Canal Fulton, Canton, Canton Township, Louisville, Nimishillen Township, Massillon, Perry Township, North Canton, Jackson Township, Plain Township, East Canton, Hartville, Lake Township, Hills and Dales and Meyers Lake.
Metronet brings fiber internet to Kent, Ohio
Metronet plans for a multimillion-dollar investment to construct a fiber-optic internet network in Kent, Ohio. Metronet’s investment will deliver fiber technology directly to more Ohio households and businesses and connect the city of Kent to 5 Gbps speeds for residents and 10 Gbps for businesses. Metronet’s construction plan is expected to begin soon, with the first customers expected to gain service next year. Metronet has invested heavily in Ohio, building networks to serve customers in Alpha, Beavercreek, Clayton, Findlay, Huber Heights, Troy, and more than 20 additional Ohio cities.
Ripple Fiber opens Hickory, North Carolina retail office
Following its recent move to bring fiber broadband to 16,000 homes across Catawba County, North Carolina, including Hickory, St. Stephens, and Conover. Construction is currently expected to be completed by mid-2026. During this phase, residents are encouraged to pre-order service, which can be done online, by phone, or in person at a Ripple Fiber retail location. With its recent groundbreaking in neighboring Caldwell County, Ripple Fiber continues increasing its footprint in Western North Carolina, which includes active markets in Shelby, Kings Mountain, Gastonia, Cramerton, and Cherryville.
Surf Internet kicks off Peru, Indiana fiber expansion
Surf Internet has broken ground on a new fiber network expansion in Peru, Ind. With an investment of over $5.5 million, Surf Internet will extend fiber service to over 4,275 residential and commercial properties in Peru. The network will launch with initial speeds of up to 2 Gbps with scalability built to support up to 10 Gbps. The project's first phase is expected to go live by December 2024, with all construction slated for completion by mid-2026. Surf Internet will leverage Miami-Cass REMC’s local expertise and fiber network resources as part of the initiative.
unWired Broadband launches wireless internet in Isleton, CA
unWired Broadband has debuted its broadband service in Isleton, CA. The provider has constructed a telecom tower in the city to deliver this service, equipped with Tarana Wireless technology that offers up to gigabit speeds. This partnership will bridge the digital divide in a region severely underserved by Internet service providers. Residents and businesses now have access to high-speed Internet in Isleton and the surrounding areas.
Lightwave+BTR is tracking service providers' ongoing efforts to extend broadband to more homes and businesses via our Building Broadband series. If you want to share a new broadband build, contact Lightwave+BTR’s editor-in-chief, Sean Buckley, at [email protected].
Sean Buckley
Sean is responsible for establishing and executing the editorial strategies of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report across their websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products.