Building Broadband: Comcast starts new seven-county Indiana broadband build; Elberton, Ga., takes up the 25G opportunity

The cable MSO has invested nearly $600 million in its Indiana network over the previous three years. The multi-million-dollar joint investment is the latest from Comcast in partnership with the State of Indiana's Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program, which has invested $350 million toward improving broadband access and adoption in the state. 

Elberton, Georgia, takes up the 25G fiber opportunity
The City of Elberton, located in Northeastern Georgia, has selected Nokia’s fiber and IP solutions to power its advanced broadband network serving more than 10,000 households. Working with ZCorum, the city will deploy Nokia’s fiber solutions and core IP routing technology as part of a broader modernization initiative that will replace its aging hybrid fiber-coaxial network. Designed to support a full range of PON technologies from XGS and 25G to 50G PON and beyond, Nokia’s solution gives Elberton the choice and flexibility to optimize its network to its specific business case and needs. Nokia’s MoCA Access solution will also be used to help ensure high-speed access is available in buildings that cannot be fiberized.

Fidium begins fiber expansion in Van Buren, Maine
Fidium is expanding its all-fiber internet network in Van Buren, Hamlin, and Cyr Plantation, bringing symmetrical, multi-gig speed internet to more than 1,500 homes and businesses. Fiber infrastructure construction is scheduled to begin as early as June 20, with start dates varying by location.

GoNetspeed connects Wells and Ogunquit, Maine, to its fiber network
GoNetspeed announced that residents of Wells and Ogunquit can now sign up for its fiber internet service following the completion of its $2.5 million investment in Maine. Currently, more than 30 communities throughout Maine have access to GoNetspeed’s service in addition to many others throughout the state that are well on their way to gaining access to future-proof fiber internet.

IdeaTek joins the State of Kansas to build the Freestate Middle Mile Network
IdeaTek is participating in the State of Kansas’ initiative to build the first leg of the Freestate Middle Mile Network — a 670-mile open-access fiber network designed to bring high-speed internet to every corner of the state. The Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Broadband Development and the Kansas Department of Transportation are leading this statewide project, which brings together public, private and nonprofit partners to build scalable infrastructure that supports last-mile internet providers, especially those working to connect rural and underserved areas.

The project, which will offer both dark and lit fiber services, is funded by a nearly $43 million federal grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Kansas was one of only a handful of states to receive the competitive grant. IdeaTek will begin construction on the statewide project later this year. Connecting anchor points and institutions in Kansas City, Emporia, Pittsburg, and Wichita, the statewide network provides providers of all sizes, from local internet service providers to regional carriers, with the tools they need to expand their networks and reach more customers. The project will also help establish new internet exchange points across the state, boosting performance and driving more competition in local markets.

Intrepid Fiber Networks begins open access network build in Frederick, Colorado
Intrepid Fiber Networks, in partnership with ALLO Fiber, has initiated a new network deployment serving over 5,400 homes and businesses in Frederick, Colorado. The service provider will offer multi-gigabit Internet speeds to residents and businesses. Engineering, permitting, and construction in Frederick have already begun, and full network completion is expected in early 2027. This effort is part of Intrepid’s broader commitment to delivering world-class broadband infrastructure to communities across the United States.

Spectrum expands broadband to rural Jefferson County, Wisconsin
Spectrum has begun expanding its Spectrum Internet, Mobile, TV, and Voice services to more than 4,200 homes and small businesses in previously unserved or underserved areas of Jefferson County, Wisconsin. The multi-year rural construction initiative is driven by more than $7 billion in private investment from Charter. It will ultimately add over 100,000 miles of fiber network infrastructure, delivering symmetrical and multi-gigabit speed internet access to more than 1.7 million new locations across the country.

TDS breaks ground on Monroe County, Tennessee, fiber project
TDS has begun construction a fiber project, which will deliver up to 8 Gbps symmetrical internet to approximately 3,000 locations within the company’s footprint in Monroe County, Tennessee. Residents and businesses in Ball Play, Coker Creek, and Tellico Plains will benefit from the new fiber-based broadband services. This project is funded in part under a grant contract with the state of Tennessee. TDS was awarded a multi-million-dollar grant by the Tennessee Emergency Broadband Fund—American Rescue Plan to expand access to faster connections, helping to offset project costs. TDS’ original plans specified it would deliver up to 1 Gbps symmetrical internet, but the company is now moving forward with infrastructure to deliver up to 8 Gbps speeds. Construction work has begun in Coker Creek, and activity will then move to Tellico Plains, followed by Ball Play as the project progresses. TDS services will launch to customers in phases as sections of the network are completed. The first customers are expected to gain access to faster speeds around the end of the year.