Building Broadband: Bluepeak expands South Dakota broadband with $95M investment; Cajun Broadband completes Vermilion Parish, Louisiana broadband network

Bluepeak expands South Dakota broadband reach with $95M investment
Bluepeak has invested over $95 million into South Dakota to build FTTH broadband access to approximately 55,000 residents and businesses in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Vermillion, and surrounding communities. In addition to its FTTH build, Bluepeak has expanded its multi-state backbone network, increased capacity to central internet peering locations, upgraded critical components of its regional and metro fiber networks, and launched a dedicated commercial services network. The company will deploy an additional $150 million to overbuild its existing broadband infrastructure and extend FTTH connectivity, bringing Bluepeak’s total reach to more than 175,000 residents and businesses statewide —representing one of the most extensive network upgrades in Bluepeak’s history.

Cajun Broadband completes Vermilion Parish, Louisiana broadband network
Cajun Broadband's completion of a pivotal broadband project in Vermilion Parish. This achievement isn't just about cables and signals; it's about connecting the heart of Louisiana—our communities, our businesses, and our families—to the opportunities of the modern world. Through the GUMBO 1.0 program, high-speed internet access is now reaching many homes and businesses across Vermilion Parish, including in communities such as Gueydan and Erath. Louisiana’s GUMBO 1.0 program comprises a $176 million investment across 48 parishes, connecting more than 65,000 locations statewide. 

Comcast’s Litchfield County, CT expansion to serve 22K locations
Comcast has completed its network expansion to nearly 22,000 new homes and businesses in Litchfield County. With this milestone, residents and companies in Litchfield, Morris, Thomaston, Torrington, and Watertown now have access to Comcast’s full suite of Xfinity and Comcast Business services.

Ezee Fiber Algona and Pacific fiber builds accelerates its Washington State fiber expansion 
Ezee Fiber has begun construction on its fiber network in the cities of Algona and Pacific in Washington State, marking the next phase of the company's ongoing investment to bring multi-gigabit, symmetrical fiber internet to communities across the Puget Sound region. Construction teams have begun engineering preparation and underground fiber deployment throughout both cities. When complete, residents and businesses in Algona and Pacific will have access to Ezee Fiber's network offering symmetrical multi-gig speeds, no data caps, no long-term contracts, and straightforward lifetime pricing. Ezee Fiber's Washington State expansion began in early 2025 and has rapidly grown across the region. With the addition of Algona and Pacific, Ezee Fiber is now constructing and delivering service across multiple communities throughout the Puget Sound region, including Kent, Des Moines, and Puyallup, with other cities in active development.

Fidium brings fiber internet to St. Johnsbury, VT
Fidium has expanded its multi-gig speed network to St. Johnsbury, Vt., bringing new all-fiber internet access to more than 4,500 homes and businesses. Over 155,000 Vermont homes and businesses can now connect to Fidium’s fiber network, which it claims is the most expansive in the state at over 9,300 network miles. Recently, the company announced the unification of its residential, business, and wholesale services under the Fidium name. This marks a new era of growth for Fidium, with plans to continue expanding its fiber network to more than 80 percent of locations across its footprint. The company has invested approximately $1.7 billion in fiber infrastructure since 2020. 

Ripple Fiber’s new $60M California project to bring fiber internet to 50K homes
Ripple Fiber plans to enter California, its tenth state. Investing over $60 million in this initial project, Ripple Fiber will deliver fiber internet service to nearly 50,000 homes in Kern County. Construction is expected to begin in Bakersfield in early 2026. Additional cities in nearby counties will be announced soon, as the provider seeks to expand its Southern California network. Ripple Fiber expects to launch service for customers within the first quarter of 2026.

Surf Internet celebrates 250K fiber passings
Surf Internet® has reached 250,000 homes passed with fiber internet across Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan, its strongest construction year to date, and a defining milestone in the company’s 25th anniversary year. In 2025, Surf brought its fiber broadband service to more than 66,500 additional homes and businesses through November and is on track to exceed 75,000 passings by year-end, driven by construction acceleration, strategic grant funding, and community partnerships across the Great Lakes region. These builds reflect Surf’s entry into 40 new markets, expanding fiber access in rural communities and mid-sized towns. Surf will carry its 2025 momentum into the new year, accelerating construction through state and federal broadband grants, including BEAD-funded projects, while expanding into new markets and strengthening partnerships that help small towns and rural neighborhoods take the next step.

Ziply’s new Lebanon, Oregon, to serve over 10K homes and businesses
Ziply Fiber’s new, ultra-high-speed, 100-percent fiber network is ready for service in Lebanon, Oregon. Service is available today to more than 2,100 addresses, representing more than 10,000 currently under construction across the city. Construction on the remaining homes and businesses will continue over the next several months.