Building Broadband: Brightspeed completes 65% of its Ohio fiber broadband network
Brightspeed, Comcast, Empire Fiber, Fidium, LFT Fiber, Race Communications, Spectrum and TDS Telecom are using various funding sources to expand broadband access to more communities.
Brightspeed completes 65% of its Ohio fiber broadband network
Brightspeed recently reached a key milestone in its Ohio fiber expansion: the provider’s statewide fiber network build is nearly 65% complete. Its fiber Internet service is now available to more than 350,000 homes and businesses across Ohio, delivering fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) connectivity with multi-gig speeds. The company plans to reach approximately 200,000 additional locations across the state as construction continues. Brightspeed Fiber Internet is now available in 30 Ohio communities. The company’s Ohio expansion is supported by more than $17 million in federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) funding, which will help Brightspeed build to approximately 6,200 additional locations. Brightspeed also received nearly $16.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to add approximately 8,300 locations statewide.
Comcast enables broadband for 5K Manitowoc and St. Croix County, Wisconsin, locations
Comcast is connecting more than 5,500 new homes and businesses in two Wisconsin counties – Manitowoc and St. Croix – to multi-gigabit, symmetrical Internet. Construction is underway across both counties, and the network expansion project will span nearly 300 miles. First customers are expected to become serviceable by the end of 2026, with construction expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
Empire Fiber extends the reach of its Victor, NY fiber network
Empire Fiber Internet is expanding its fiber network in Victor, NY, bringing fiber-based broadband access to more than 2,000 homes and businesses—with additional neighborhoods coming online across many communities in Ontario County. As part of its ongoing investment in Ontario County and the broader Finger Lakes region, Empire Fiber Internet is rapidly expanding fiber availability, with construction continuing through 2026. Residents and businesses that previously lacked access to fiber may now be eligible for service.
Fidium gives the Shelburne, Vt. Community, a new fiber broadband option
Fidium recently lit fiber internet service in Shelburne, bringing its network to more than 2,100 residents and businesses. Fidium completed a fiber-build partnership with Chittenden County Communications District in 2025, expanding service to several hundred previously unserved and underserved locations in town. While previous expansion in Shelburne was partially grant-funded, Fidium’s fiber internet buildout in 2026 was completed through its own investment.
LFT Fiber launches new residential multi-gigabit Internet speeds across Acadiana, Louisiana
LFT Fiber launched new residential multi-gig internet offerings, giving customers more speed options. Residential customers can choose from two new ultra-fast internet tiers:
- 2 Gbps Internet — $120/month
- 6 Gbps Internet — $170/month
As the region’s only community-owned fiber provider, LFT Fiber continues to invest in future-ready infrastructure designed specifically for Acadiana residents and businesses.
Race Communications kicks off Madera, California, fiber construction
Race Communications is advancing connectivity in Madera by constructing its fiber network, with work now underway to reach more than 9,000 households and businesses throughout the city. Expanding rapidly across the Central Valley region, Madera’s construction is now underway. Race’s symmetrical 10G speeds lay a stronger foundation for Madera’s future growth. Connected and powered by a California-based team, Race now delivers fiber internet to more than 50 California markets.
Spectrum brings fiber broadband to Pulaski County, Kentucky’s rural areas
Spectrum is expanding its fiber broadband network to bring Spectrum Internet, Mobile, TV, and Voice services to more than 840 additional homes and businesses in previously unserved or underserved areas of Pulaski County, Kentucky, including locations near Burnside, Eubank, and Somerset. Its multi-year rural construction initiative is driven by more than $7 billion in private investment from Spectrum. It will ultimately add 100,000 miles of fiber network infrastructure and deliver symmetrical, multi-gigabit speeds to more than 1.7 million new locations across the country.
TDS begins second phase of rural upgrades in Dane County, Wis.
TDS Telecommunications kicked off the second phase of its Enhanced Alternative Connect America Cost Model (E-ACAM) broadband expansion in Dane County with a ceremonial groundbreaking on June 2 in the Town of Perry. TDS has expanded the construction project beyond federally supported areas to include its entire legacy footprint in Dane County. Construction is happening in phases that will ultimately deliver speeds of at least 100/20 Mbps to about 11,000 Dane County addresses. The new services will be launched to customers as work is completed and will reach rural addresses in the cities and towns of Black Earth, Middleton and Verona, the village of Waunakee, as well as the towns of Blanchardville, Cross Plains, Dane, Montrose, Springfield, Springdale, and Vienna.
Lightwave is tracking service providers' ongoing efforts to extend broadband to more homes and businesses via our Building Broadband series. Keep up with every installment of Building Broadband. If you want to share a new broadband build, contact Lightwave’s Editor in Chief Sean Buckley at [email protected].
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Sean Buckley
Sean is responsible for establishing and executing the editorial strategy of Lightwave across its website, email newsletters, events, and other information products.
