By late 2022, approximately 4,500 rural Delta County homes will be fiber internet ready
ESCANABA, MI, January 26, 2022 – Highline applauds Delta County for their important role in the process of bringing fast fiber internet to thousands of homes throughout the county by approving right-of-way permits for 424 miles. Highline began constructing its state-of-the-art fiber network in July 2021 and has found Delta County to be a true partner, helping expedite Highline’s ability to deliver fast internet to unserved, underserved and unhappily served households long suffering with poor Internet access. At the end of 2021, 1,274 Delta County homes were ready for Highline’s gigabit speed internet – the fastest available – and the county has pre-approved permits to enable an additional 3,226 homes in 2022.
“Delta County is a perfect example of how counties can be true partners in helping to resolve the internet gap in their communities,” said Bruce Moore, CEO of Highline-Midwest. “Highline is very determined to help Michigan become a top 10 state for internet connectivity (it’s currently only #29[source]) – and counties like Delta are going to get us there.”
There are many components to internet service delivery that are not within any internet service provider’s direct control – and Delta County provided a blueprint of how to best tackle them all, including expediting the construction process at several points:
o Delta County Road Commission’s quick approval of necessary permits.
o Under the mainline construction permit, the county recognized the importance of including road bores, which also expedites the construction process for delivering internet.
o Additionally, Delta County followed Public Act 97.
“We recognized the need our communities and households have for faster internet access, and we are happy to help Highline in their plan to deliver the fiber internet to the households of Delta County,” commented Jody Norman, from the Delta County Road Commission. “We look forward to working with Highline in 2022.”
“I love my new high-speed internet. I run a home-based business and paid very high premiums for spotty service,” said Jean Hoeft, a Highline customer in Gladstone, Michigan. “Now, I can stream video and presentations for all of my clients without any interruptions in service. This will definitely impact my business for the better. Thank you, Highline!”
About Highline:
At Highline, we believe everyone should have access to the most reliable, fastest internet speed available – at a fair price, regardless of where you live and work. Highline has been in business for more than 125 years, and builds, owns, and operates state-of-the-art lightning-fast fiber networks that serve the internet and communication needs for thousands of residents and businesses in Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Michigan, Nebraska, and Texas.
To learn more, visit www.highlinefast.com.
