The Buildout: Comcast construction continues in Connecticut

Comcast is in the process of expanding its fiber network in Fairfield County, Connecticut. The company is building fiber to 73,000 homes and businesses in the regions of Stratford, Norwalk and Wilton. In Stratford, Comcast said "some" of the 23,000 homes and businesses in its deployment footprint can receive service, with the remaining locations to be completed by the end of 2025. In Norwalk, Comcast construction is ongoing to reach 43,000 locations, with initial services launching later this month and the full project slated for completion by the end of 2026. And in Wilton, construction is ongoing to reach 7,000 locations, with initial services launching later this month and full network construction to wrap up by the end of 2026. According to a press release, Comcast is investing nearly $400 million to upgrade its network in Connecticut.

The state of Ohio this week awarded $94.5 million in funding to connect more than 35,000 households. Funding, which comes from the American Rescue Plan, was distributed through the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Grant (ORBEG) program, and went to two providers: Time Warner Cable Midwest (Charter) and Brightspeed. Time Warner Cable received $83.1 million for five projects connecting 30,298 households. Brightspeed was awarded $11.4 million for one project that will provide access to 5,053 households. In a press release from Gov. Mike DeWine's office, the state said that – as part of the grant process – "12 internet service providers also committed to independently fund 51 additional projects within two years to serve 10,000 households in 25 additional counties."

Charter's Spectrum has launched services in parts of Michigan, Florida and Georgia. In Michigan, Spectrum launched services for 440 homes and businesses in Midland County; and 120 homes and businesses in portions of Ravenna Township, in Muskegon County. In Florida, Spectrum launched service for 1,300 homes and businesses in the Orange County regions of Bithlo/Christmas and South Apopka. And in Georgia, services went live for more than 1,500 homes and businesses in Clarke and Oglethorpe Counties. The networks are in areas where Spectrum is steadily building out with funding from the FCC's Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF).

Zayo will use $27.8 million in grant funding from the American Rescue Plan to expand middle mile infrastructure in Dallas County, Texas. The company will build out 60 miles of infrastructure in ten zip codes. According to a press release, the project will enable last-mile providers to reach roughly 24,000 unserved households. As part of the partnership, Zayo will also invest $150,000 with nonprofit Compudopt, to fund the distribution of 300 laptops.

Metronet has started construction in northeast Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The company is investing $35 million in the region and will construct the network over two years, with the first customers expected to come online by the end of 2024. Metronet did not specify the number of locations but there are roughly 45,000 households in Broken Arrow, according to census data. In a press release, Metronet confirmed that expanding to Oklahoma officially grows the company's footprint to 18 states. As part of the partnership, Metronet has also invested $10,000 in local nonprofit Broken Arrow Neighbors, which will "help provide hundreds of families with basic needs assistance," according to the company. 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.

C Spire is constructing a fiber network in Senatobia, Mississippi. According to a press release, the project is currently in its initial construction phase in three areas and will be completed over the next six months, bringing service to 1,100 residents.

Lumos announced plans to expand its footprint into the state of Kentucky. According to a press release, the company will invest nearly $150 million to build out 1,300 miles of fiber in parts of Jefferson County and Louisville. Engineering is slated to begin in the Louisville area later this year. Lumos had previously announced plans last month to expand its footprint into Ohio with a $230 million investment. In April, it was announced that T-Mobile will form a joint venture with EQT to acquire Lumos.