Building Broadband: Brightspeed lights 10K Beaufort, South Carolina, with fiber internet service; Comcast’s new Indiana broadband build to serve 10K users

Brightspeed lights 10K Beaufort, South Carolina, with fiber internet service
Brightspeed has connected 10,000 homes and businesses in and around the city of Beaufort, with more locations coming online every day. By the end of Brightspeed’s full buildout, more than 16,500 locations across Beaufort will have access to Brightspeed’s fiber network. The provider continues to pursue state and federal grants and funds to augment its planned build in the states it further serves, including South Carolina. In the Palmetto state, Brightspeed has been awarded more than $3.8 million to connect nearly 5,200 locations to its high-speed network. Including these grant-supplemented builds, the company will reach more than 50,000 locations across the state once its fiber network is complete.

Comcast’s new Indiana broadband network build to serve 10K users
Comcast announced the kickoff of construction on its next-generation network in Fayette, Rush, Delaware, Boone, Shelby, Morgan, and Miami counties. Upon completion, more than 10,000 residents and businesses will have access to the full suite of Xfinity and Comcast Business services, including built-in cybersecurity, Internet plans, and a video offering spanning TV and streaming. 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. 

Fidium lights up fiber broadband in new Maine and New Hampshire
Fidium has expanded its multi-gig, symmetrical internet service to new towns in Maine and New Hampshire. In Maine, Fidium offers lighting services in Winterport, serving over 2,200 homes and businesses. The expansion of its fiber network, which began in February, brings all the benefits that come with access to a fiber broadband connection to Winterport. Today, more than 360,000 Maine homes and businesses have access to Fidium, with additional availability coming soon both locally and statewide. More than 47,000 Bangor-area homes and businesses will have access by year’s end, with Fidium available now in Bangor, Brewer, and Winterport. Fiber expansion in Bucksport, Orland, Old Town, and Orono is also expected to be completed later this year. Over in New Hampshire, Fidium is introducing its multi-gig, symmetrical speed internet service to Pittsfield. The service will become available to over 3,000 homes and businesses. More than 30,000 Concord-area homes and businesses will have access by year’s end, with Fidium available now in Pittsfield, Concord, and Epsom, and Penacook fiber expansion planned for later this year.

GTA launches “Air Fiber” fixed wireless access service in Guam
GTA is leveraging Tarana’s fixed wireless access (ngFWA) broadband technology to expand high-speed internet access on the island. After just three months of deployment, GTA has passed more than 30,000 homes and businesses and already has hundreds of subscribers on the service. A seasoned internet service provider, GTA is offering up to 500 Mbps to many Guam residents who previously had access to only 25 Mbps service through copper networks. The GTA team recently installed Tarana technology at the Guam Animals in Need (GAIN) shelter, equipping the facility with hundreds of Mbps to support the operation of their non-profit organization.

GoNetspeed enters 10th state with Rhode Island broadband launch
In partnership with the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, GoNetspeed recently celebrated its planned expansion into Newport, Rhode Island. Newport also signifies a significant milestone for the company, as Rhode Island is the tenth state in GoNetspeed’s growing footprint. The combined $13 million investment was made possible through a $9 million award from Rhode Island Commerce Corporation’s Capital Projects Fund (CPF) with a $3.9 million match from GoNetspeed. This expansion will bring high-speed, fiber internet with speeds scaling up to 2 Gbps to more than 8,200 homes and businesses throughout Newport. Construction is expected to begin as early as fall of 2025, with the first customers expected to be connected by spring 2026.

Metronet deepens Arizona presence with Prescott Valley launch
Metronet will bring its fiber internet service to Prescott Valley, Arizona. The project, made possible through a privately funded $18.5 million investment from Metronet, marks the company's third community in Arizona. Once complete, residents will have access to internet speeds of up to 5 Gbps, while businesses can receive speeds of up to 10 Gbps. Construction is expected to begin this summer, with the first residents and businesses receiving service before fall. Metronet is actively expanding its fiber network across Arizona, with construction already underway in Casa Grande and Glendale and almost $100 million committed to the state thus far.

RightFiber sets Dyersburg, Tennessee, as its next fiber broadband target
RightFiber is bringing its fiber internet service to homes in Dyersburg, Tennessee, through a $4.2 million network expansion. The provider is building on the foundation it has established since beginning service to Dyersburg businesses in 2023. Construction is currently underway, with some residents already enjoying the benefits of RightFiber’s lightning-fast speeds and superior connectivity. The expansion is expected to be completed by summer 2025, bringing fiber internet to even more homes.

United Communications to deepen Franklin, Tenn., fiber footprint
United Communications recently announced a significant expansion of its Franklin multi-gig broadband network, as per a ribbon-cutting ceremony held to celebrate the fifth anniversary of its headquarters in Franklin. Over the next few months, the next phase of its expansion in Franklin will connect more than 3,000 homes and businesses across the city, delivering residential internet speeds of up to 8 Gbps. United’s rapid expansion throughout Franklin is made possible by the company’s Stealth Fiber technology, which enables crews to quickly install new fiber lines to current and future properties through existing underground conduits managed by Middle Tennessee Electric.