Altafiber (Cincinnati Bell) announced plans to expand its 10-Gig XGS-PON fiber network into Northeast Ohio. Construction will begin in early 2025 to bring altafiber's connectivity to roughly 100,000 homes and businesses throughout the suburban areas of Akron and Cleveland, according to a press release. Last month, altafiber announced that it was partnering with the state on a $110 million project to bring broadband to 38,000 locations in Southwest Ohio. The state awarded $50 million in federal capital projects funds for the project, with altafiber contributing $60 million.

Windstream's Kinetic kicked off its new fiber network in Poyen, Arkansas, this week. The company is building out in Poyen and other parts of Grant County, Arkansas, with $8.2 million in funding through the FCC's Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), reaching 2,100 homes and businesses overall.

Michigan State University and Merit Network – a nonprofit governed by Michigan's public universities – have completed work on a multi-million-dollar middle-mile fiber network, with federal funding from the NTIA. The project – dubbed "the Michigan Open Optical Network - Leveraging Innovation to Get High-Speed Technology" (extremely long for: MOON-Light) – has officially connected "thousands of miles across Michigan's many disparate Internet pathways across 74 counties," according to a press release. Together with last-mile providers, the network brings connectivity to 28,000 unserved or underserved homes. Funding for the MOON-Light project was awarded through the NTIA's broadband infrastructure program, and construction began in 2022.

Metronet launched services in parts of Minnesota and Nebraska. In Minnesota, the company launched its network in Watertown and Le Sueur. Construction is expected to conclude in spring 2025. In Nebraska, Metronet launched initial services in and around Omaha and elsewhere in Douglas County. Metronet began its construction in the region this summer and will continue building over the next two years. Metronet is in the process of being acquired through a joint venture formed by T-Mobile and existing Metronet investor KKR. Metronet's other investor, Oak Hill Capital, will retain a minority stake.

Consolidated Communications was awarded $11.8 million from the state of New Hampshire to bring its Fidium Fiber network to 1,500 homes and businesses across 12 rural communities. The grant comes from the state's allocation of capital projects funds via the American Rescue Plan. Consolidated will invest an additional $7.7 million for this project. And in Vermont, Consolidated said Fidium Fiber will start construction in the next week to bring its service to more than 5,700 homes and businesses in the regions of Milton, Colchester and Georgia, Vermont. Separately last week, Fidium Fiber said it has now expanded its network to 2,000 combined homes and businesses in Northumberland, Stark and Stratford, New Hampshire; and in Maidstone, Vermont.

Shentel's Glo Fiber has completed design and engineering work and started construction in Frederick County, Maryland. The company has grant funding from the state to bring its network to 4,500 unserved locations in Frederick County.

TDS Telecommunications last week celebrated the completion of its new fiber network in Chippewa County, Wisconsin. The company started work on the project in April of 2022 and began construction that July. The new Fiber-Fast network now connects roughly 5,500 homes and businesses. TDS execs joined local officials to kick off the network and provided a $1,000 donation to the local Family Support Center. Last month it was announced that TDS will transfer its cable operations in Texas to Poka Lambro Telecommunications and Nevill Holdings, in a deal expected to close in Q4.

Charter's Spectrum has launched services in more areas where it received funding through the FCC's RDOF. In Michigan, Spectrum services went live for 220 unserved and underserved homes and businesses in Wright Township, located in Ottawa County. And in South Carolina, Spectrum services went live for 6,200 unserved and underserved homes and businesses in Cherokee County.