SANDUSKY–Highline, the Essexville-based high-speed internet service provider, announced completion of construction in Michigan’s Thumb area, meaninjg the company is now offering fiber broadband to over 8,000 households in Sanilac, Tuscola, Lapeer, and St. Clair counties.
Highline’s 823-mile fiber optic network was built with a combination of private investment backed by ITC Capital Partners and the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund grant program. While representing 14% of Highline’s total commitment under the FCC program, Highline was able to complete this geographic portion of the network in two years rather than by the end of 2027.
Highline’s service is now changing the lives of families that have long suffered from a poor internet connection and fulfills the FCC’s stated objective of creating networks that will stand the test of time by prioritizing higher network speeds and lower latency so that those benefitting from these networks will be able to use tomorrow’s Internet applications as well as today’s.
“Our construction seasons in Michigan are short, but we are fortunate to have the unwavering support from the county road and drain commissions, the Michigan Department of Transportation, along with the city, village, and township leaders of the Thumb.” said Bruce Moore, president and general manager of Highline Midwest. “This milestone is representative of our ability to execute building fiber networks and delivering an exceptional experience to our customers. Highline is proving we are good stewards of grant dollars, and despite all of the challenges in our industry today, our team is delivering on the commitment to serve rural America.”
A dedication celebration of the completion will be held Thursday, Sept. 7 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Woodland Hills Banquet Center, 320 N. Gates Road in Sandusky.
More information is available by visiting www.highlinefast.com or calling 888.212.0054.
Highline’s heritage companies have been in the telecommunications business for more than 126 years and have built, owned, and operated fiber networks for more than 27 years. Highline currently serves residents’ and businesses’ communication and internet needs in Michigan, Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Nebraska, and Texas.
ITC Capital Partners LLC is a unit of the independent power grid ownership and management company ITC Holding Co. LLC.