Building Broadband: 123NET and partners complete 90-mile fiber route; Antietam Broadband launches FLIGHT FIBER service in Taneytown, MD

123NET and partners complete 90-mile Southfield-to-Lansing route
A new 90-mile underground fiber route connecting Southfield to Lansing, developed by three Michigan-based telecom providers — 123NET, DayStarr Communications, and Peninsula Fiber Network (PFN) —  is now complete. This newly activated fiber route strengthens Michigan’s telecommunications infrastructure, improving middle-mile capacity and supporting critical network diversity between major population centers. Communities along the route, including Lansing, Okemos, Williamston, Webberville, Fowlerville, Howell, Brighton, Novi and Livonia, stand to benefit from increased reliability and access. The core focus of the partnership is to expand high-speed internet access in underserved and unserved areas, fostering digital equity across the region. The new fiber route lays the groundwork for future connectivity projects and public-private collaborations.

Antietam Broadband brings FLIGHT FIBER to Taneytown, MD
Antietam Broadband has launched FLIGHT FIBER in Taneytown, Maryland. Offering 5 Gbps speeds, FLIGHT FIBER brings a new broadband option to Taneytown residents and businesses via a $42 million private investment. Carroll County businesses can partner with Antietam’s Business Solutions to design a customized suite of services and products tailored to support their unique and growing needs.

Astound dedicates $81M to upgrade and expand its Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania fiber network
Astound has launched an $81 million investment to accelerate the upgrade and continued expansion of its fiber network infrastructure throughout key areas of Pennsylvania. Once complete, the project will provide more than 315,000 homes and nearly 25,000 area businesses with access to Astound’s fiber network, delivering multi-gigabit speeds and paving the way for future residential and commercial internet speeds of up to 10 Gbps. Starting this summer, Astound will upgrade its network, with more than 185,000 homes and businesses expected to have access by the end of 2025. The full complement of 315,000 homes and 25,000 businesses will be connected to Astound’s network by the end of 2026. A local team of over 600 has begun upgrading more than 4,800 miles of its infrastructure and extending its existing network throughout the Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA).

eX² Technology and partners accelerate Arizona dark fiber build
eX² Technology, in collaboration with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), executed the first Indefeasible Right of Use agreement for dark fiber along ADOT's I-17 right of way. As part of the Arizona Statewide Middle-Mile Program, the dark fiber Indefeasible Right of Use transaction marks a step forward in leveraging public infrastructure to deliver long-term, high-capacity connectivity across the State of Arizona. In 2024, eX² Technology was awarded a 20-year contract with ADOT and the Arizona Commerce Authority to provide operations, maintenance, and commercialization services for ADOT's conduit, dark fiber, and wireless network assets along I-17, I-19, I-40W, and future I-10 and I-8 corridors. This transaction represents the first in a series of opportunities to leverage ADOT's conduit and dark fiber for additional IRU sales and lit service delivery.

Glo Fiber expands fiber internet in York County, PA
Glo Fiber has reached agreements to deploy fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) broadband services to Hallam Borough, Hellam Township, and Wrightsville Borough in York County, Pennsylvania. Glo Fiber will expand its fiber network to over 2,000 homes and businesses in the area, adding to the already available coverage of 27,000 homes and businesses throughout the County. Engineering work in these new areas is currently underway, with construction scheduled for completion in 2026.

GoNetspeed accelerates Connecticut growth with Ansonia launch
GoNetspeed has launched fiber broadband service in Ansonia, Connecticut, marking the latest step in the company’s ongoing expansion across the state. Backed by a fully funded $4.3 million investment, the new fiber infrastructure will deliver fiber internet to more than 6,700 homes and businesses. Ansonia joins Bridgeport, Danbury, East Haven, New Haven, Hartford, and more than 40 communities in gaining access to GoNetspeed’s service, alongside many other communities.

NKTelco launches its FLIGHT FIBER 5 Gbps service
NKTelco has launched its FLIGHT FIBER offering, featuring speeds of up to 5 Gbps, empowering families, businesses, and entire communities — from Main Street to the busiest smart homes. FLIGHT FIBER will offer four speed tiers: 5 Gbps, 2 Gbps, 1 Gbps and 500 Mbps.

Pavlov Media raises $235M for network expansion and upgrades
Pavlov Media has secured a $235 million debt facility with Deutsche Bank to support its strategic growth initiatives. The funding, which will be used to expand Pavlov Media's fiber-optic footprint and invest in new network technologies, supports Pavlov Media's vision to bring fiber internet to growing communities across the United States. Pavlov will leverage the proceeds to accelerate its expansion efforts and continue delivering broadband services to residential and commercial customers.