This week, Connecticut has made significant strides in expanding broadband access across the state, awarding a total of $28 million in grants aimed at enhancing connectivity for over 3,300 locations in 88 cities and towns, including 26 municipalities identified as distressed. The funding is primarily directed towards four service providers, with Comcast receiving the lion’s share of the allocation, amounting to $21.26 million. This substantial grant will enable Comcast to extend its services to 2,099 locations across 75 municipalities in Connecticut.
The remaining funds have been distributed among other providers, including Frontier, which received $3.85 million across seven grants, Verizon with $1.8 million, and GoNetspeed, which was awarded $1 million through two grants. This funding initiative is part of Connecticut’s allocation from the American Rescue Plan, designed to bolster capital projects and improve broadband infrastructure.
In other developments, GoNetspeed has successfully expanded its network availability in Kennebunk and Kennebunkport, Maine. Following a privately funded fiber deployment project that commenced in March 2023, the company has now made its services accessible to over 3,000 homes and businesses in the area. Initially, GoNetspeed launched its services to 2,000 locations in November 2023, marking a significant milestone in its growth trajectory.
Race Communications, a California-based Internet Service Provider (ISP), is also making waves by connecting its first customers in Palmdale. The company is in the process of building out its network to reach 6,000 locations in this initial phase of construction. Established in 1994, Race Communications has garnered substantial financial backing from Oak Hill Capital, which has supported its expansion plans since 2020. Recently, Race Communications announced that it secured an impressive $500 million in additional capital from both Oak Hill Capital and AB Private Credit Investors. This funding is intended to facilitate Race’s ambitious objective of extending its fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network to as many as 1 million locations throughout California in the coming years.
Meanwhile, Metronet is gearing up to bring its fiber network to Grand Haven, Michigan. The company has announced plans to invest nearly $5 million in this initiative, with construction expected to commence shortly. The first connections are anticipated to go live by the summer of next year. Metronet is currently undergoing an acquisition process through a joint venture involving T-Mobile and KKR, an existing investor. Oak Hill Capital, another investor in Metronet, will maintain a minority stake in the company post-acquisition.
Additionally, Consolidated’s Fidium Fiber has also announced new construction projects and service expansions, further contributing to the ongoing efforts to bridge the digital divide. These developments underscore the commitment of various stakeholders to enhance broadband access and improve connectivity for communities across the United States.
As the demand for reliable internet access continues to grow, these initiatives represent a crucial step towards ensuring that underserved areas receive the connectivity they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world. With substantial investments from both public and private sectors, the future of broadband access looks promising, paving the way for enhanced communication, education, and economic opportunities for countless individuals and businesses.
