Building Broadband: BCE completes acquisition of Ziply Fiber, accelerating its fiber growth strategy; Brightspeed lights up fiber broadband in five new rural Ohio counties

BCE completes Ziply Fiber acquisition, accelerating its fiber growth strategy
BCE has completed its $3.65 billion acquisition of Ziply Fiber, giving it an immediate foothold in the growing fiber broadband market. To accelerate its expansion into the U.S. market, BCE and PSP Investments announced earlier this year a strategic partnership to create Network FiberCo. Combined with the completion of the Ziply Fiber acquisition, this long-term strategic partnership will enable Bell to potentially reach up to 8 million fiber locations in the U.S. The acquisition financing was supported by the proceeds of the sale of BCE's minority stake in MLSE, completed on July 1, 2025. Ziply Fiber will operate as a separate business unit and will continue to be headquartered in Kirkland, Washington, with its existing management team and highly skilled workforce. BCE will update its 2025 financial guidance targets to reflect the Ziply Fiber acquisition when it reports second-quarter 2025 results on August 7.

Brightspeed lights up fiber broadband in five new rural Ohio counties
Brightspeed is connecting thousands of homes and businesses to its fiber network in the rural communities surrounding Columbus and Dayton. Now, roughly 13,700 homes and businesses in Licking, Darke, Logan, Preble, and Knox Counties have access to the country’s fastest internet service, as determined by HighSpeedInternet.com Annual Service Provider Review 2025. According to Broadband Now, roughly 60% of people living in Ohio don't have access to a fiber internet plan, making it hard to thrive in today's economy. Once the company’s full buildout in the Western and Central Ohio communities it serves is complete, over 43,000 families and small businesses—almost 73% of the combined population—will have access to Brightspeed’s fiber internet service.

Comcast connects over 1,200 Montgomery County, Indiana locations
Comcast has completed the construction of its fiber network in Montgomery County, Indiana. Over 1,200 residents and businesses now have access to the full suite of Xfinity and Comcast Business services. Comcast has invested nearly $600 million to grow and evolve its expansive fiber network in Indiana over the last three years. Comcast's investment comes 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.

Dobson Fiber expands fiber internet to Kingston, Oklahoma
Dobson Fiber has begun another multi-million-dollar expansion of its fiber internet offering with a recent groundbreaking in Kingston, Okla., with city officials. Construction of the network will be completed in geographic zones. Once each zone is nearing completion, residents will be notified when they can begin to sign up for service. Dobson Fiber’s network includes more than 44 communities across a wide geographic area in Oklahoma and five diverse communities in Arkansas.

Greenlight Networks continues expansion across New York’s Orange County
Greenlight Networks is doubling down on its commitment to Orange County, bringing fiber-based broadband to more Hudson Valley neighborhoods, businesses, and community organizations. Since Greenlight began to build its fiber network infrastructure in the region in 2023, the company has invested millions in Orange County, including a recent additional $4 million incremental build in Port Jervis. Construction is underway in Goshen, Middletown , and Wallkill. Greenlight's current building plan includes a further investment of more than $24 million in the county as it increases access to an additional 16,200 homes over the next 12 months.

IdeaTek brings gigabit fiber internet to Leoti and Tribune, Kansas
IdeaTek is investing $2 million to bring a fiber network to the communities of Leoti and Tribune, Kansas. The Buhler-based internet provider will deliver unlimited 2.5 Gbps speeds. This project will provide nearly 2,000 homes and businesses with the reliability and bandwidth they need for generations to come. Crews are finishing up construction in Leoti, and the sales team will be scheduling installations in August. Tribune residents will be connected in September.

Home Telecom brings 5 Gbps fiber internet to South Carolina’s Nexton community
Home Telecom has launched its 5 Gbps internet service for residential customers, beginning in the community of Nexton in Summerville, South Carolina. As the first residential area to receive this service, Nexton is leading the way in smart community development. The collaboration between Home Telecom and Nexton reflects a shared commitment to delivering connectivity and enhancing the quality of life for residents through technology.

KKR wraps acquisition of Metronet through joint venture
KKR has completed its acquisition of Metronet through a joint venture with T-Mobile. The transaction brings together Metronet’s broadband infrastructure, creating a scaled platform to accelerate fiber deployment across underserved markets. Metronet delivers multi-gigabit internet service in more than 300 communities in 19 states, with more communities added each month. More than 2.6 million homes and businesses have access to Metronet fiber, which covers more than 42,000 miles. As part of the closing of the transaction, Metronet will now become a wholesale internet services provider, with T-Mobile Fiber as its partner for residential services. T-Mobile Fiber has acquired Metronet’s residential customers and will have responsibility for residential customer acquisition, support, and customer experience. Metronet will continue to build new fiber network infrastructure, maintain its existing network, and install service for new customers. Under a joint venture, Metronet has retained its commercial-services business.