Brightspeed stated today that it would develop a significant section of its planned fiber optics network in Ohio, where it intends to provide over 170,000 additional fiber passings in portions of a dozen counties in the state's first stage of work by the end of 2023. Brightspeed anticipates another 210,000 fiber passings in the state in the coming years, for nearly 380,000 fiber-enabled sites within its Ohio operational zone.
Brightspeed will make an investment of atleast $2 billion in its fiber optics revolution, which will connect up to 3 million households and companies over the next five years, including many rural and suburban areas where fiber and sophisticated technologies have not before been installed. The company will initially consist of Lumen Technologies' incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) assets and associated activities, which are the subject of a pending sale by Apollo-managed funds. The parties expect regulatory clearances in the third quarter of this year, and the deal to close in the early fourth quarter.
Brightspeed has increased its network design and construction preparations across its multi-state region as it moves closer to day one operations.
"We are thrilled to share details about our network transformation plans for our Ohio footprint. Access to ultra-fast, ultra-reliable broadband is simply a necessity across all aspects of daily life for today's households and businesses. There's no better, more proven technology than fiber-to-the-prem (FTTP) to meet this need, now and for the foreseeable future. We believe Ohioans will welcome a new competitive choice for internet and Wi-Fi, and we can't wait to introduce our high-quality products and our simple, straightforward approach to doing business,"
Chris Creager, Chief Administration Officer of Brightspeed
"In addition to our own significant build in Ohio, we are looking forward to the opportunity to work with key stakeholders like BroadbandOhio at state and local levels to expand the reach of our advanced fiber network to even more communities," added Creager.
Brightspeed's Ohio construction plan for 2022-2023 will first offer faster, more reliable Internet and Wi-Fi to nearly 170,000 residential and business sites in Allen, Crawford, Darke, Defiance, Henry, Logan, Lorain, Richland, Trumbull, Union, Van Wert, and Wayne counties.