Building Broadband: Ezee Fiber gets Chicago fiber build underway; IQ Fiber Launches fiber Internet Service in Charleston, South Carolina

Ezee Fiber's Chicago fiber build gets underway
Ezee Fiber began construction activities in the Chicagoland suburb of Streamwood this week as crews began directional drilling. Ezee Fiber’s office in the western suburbs is complete, and furnishings are in place. Hiring activity is underway and several key roles in construction, planning, government affairs and community relations are filled. Ezee Fiber has ambitious plans for Chicagoland, but the company sees plenty of opportunities to grow the business. 

IQ Fiber launches fiber internet service in Charleston, South Carolina
IQ Fiber has launched its fiber network in Charleston, South Carolina, including the communities of West Ashley and the Town of Mt. Pleasant. The expansion brings reliable high-speed internet with transparent pricing and no contracts to residents and small businesses across the Charleston metro area. IQ Fiber’s fiber network delivers 10 Gbps symmetrical speeds. Each plan, which starts at $65 per month, includes professional installation, whole-home Wi-Fi 7 service, and 24/7 live support from the company’s Eastern U.S.-based team. As part of its long-term commitment to the Charleston area, IQ Fiber is establishing a local operations office at 2030 Herbert Street, which will serve as a hub for network deployment and support as the company continues its regional expansion.

RightFiber expands fiber internet to Arkadelphia
RightFiber is expanding its fiber internet to homes in Arkadelphia, with speeds up to 5 Gig to neighborhoods, building on the strong foundation it has established since beginning service to Arkadelphia businesses in 2020. Construction on this expansion is underway and expected to be completed in early 2026. RightFiber said residents can expect clear communication during the construction process, including signage and door hangers.

TDS Telcom’s turns up 8 Gbps in Monroe County, Tennessee
All-fiber internet connections are now available in Monroe County, Tennessee, thanks to a recently launched TDS Telecommunications grant project. The network upgrades deliver a range of internet service options up to 8 Gbps to the first customers. The top speeds are eight times faster than the company promised in its original proposal. Over 3,500 addresses will benefit from the new infrastructure when the project is complete. The network upgrade project is funded under a Grant Contract with the State of Tennessee. TDS is contributing almost half the cost for the build, now projected to total nearly $10 million. With faster speeds now available to the first customers, services will continue to become available as sections of the network are completed.

Verizon complements fiber broadband build with Tillman and Eaton Fiber pact
Verizon Communications has established a partnership with Tillman and Eaton Fiber, marking another step to accelerate Verizon’s broadband and mobility convergence strategy. The agreement will expand Verizon’s premium broadband offering, complementing the company’s ongoing fiber builds and planned acquisition of Frontier. The agreement is expected to bring fiber service to homes and customers in markets outside of Verizon’s and Frontier’s current fiber-to-the-home footprint. The agreement targets serviceable addresses in new markets, will quickly expand Verizon’s fiber availability, and allow more customers to access Fios broadband service. Verizon will be the exclusive retail provider of residential fiber services over the new network through the build phase and for an additional time, ensuring competitive advantage in subscriber acquisition. Eaton Fiber will fund and build the network and be responsible for network maintenance and installation. Verizon will be responsible for sales and marketing, and end-user customer service.

Wire3 Fiber Internet is now available in Palm Bay, Florida
Wire 3 has launched its fiber internet in Palm Bay. Through Wire 3’s $13.5 million private investment in Palm Bay, Wire 3 is equipping homes and businesses with access to 10 Gbps symmetrical speeds. Since beginning construction in Palm Bay, Wire 3 has progressed to bring thousands of customers a fast and local fiber internet option. Palm Bay has joined the growing list of coastal Florida cities where Wire 3 is actively expanding its network. In addition to Palm Bay, Wire 3 currently serves DeLand, Port St. Lucie, Ormond Beach, Holly Hill, New Smyrna Beach and Edgewater.