Updated
Updated · wwmtarc · Aug 19
123NET Completes $65 Million Fiber Build for 17,000 Allegan County Addresses
Updated
Updated · wwmtarc · Aug 19

123NET Completes $65 Million Fiber Build for 17,000 Allegan County Addresses

3 articles · Updated · wwmtarc · Aug 19

Summary

  • $65 million and four years after launch, 123NET said it has finished Allegan County's broadband expansion, bringing fiber internet to more than 17,000 addresses.
  • The build laid about 1,100 miles of fiber and delivers speeds up to 6 gigabits per second, which 123NET said is 60 times faster than the county's original specification.
  • State, federal, county and 123NET funding backed the project, including Michigan's ROBIN program and Allegan County American Rescue Plan Act money.
  • Allegan County says the open-access, carrier-neutral network is meant to widen remote work, online learning and telehealth access while supporting local business growth and quality of life.

Insights

How did a rural Michigan county outsmart a major telecom giant to bring ultra-fast internet to its residents?
With the fiber network complete, will the promise of an open-access system actually lower monthly bills for locals?