4 Min Read
(Source: deepblue4you/Getty Images)
The Buildout is a column from Light Reading tracking broadband network deployments. This week we're tracking new construction, awards and service launches reaching over 253,000 locations across the US. Send us your news at [email protected]. Keep up with every installment of The Buildout here and sign up for the Light Reading Broadband newsletter here to get The Buildout in your inbox every Friday.
23 ISPs sign Michigan BEAD awards
The state of Michigan announced that 23 subgrantees have signed their BEAD award agreements. The state will invest $916 million in BEAD funds (with a $531 million subgrantee match) to connect 200,000 homes, businesses and community anchor institutions across the state. The confirmed awardees include: 123NET, Baraga Telephone Company, Barry County Services, Brightspeed Cherry Capital Connection, CMS Internet, DMCI Broadband, Duke Broadband, Frontier North, Great Lakes Energy, ITC Broadband Operating, LakeNet, Michigan Bell Telephone Company, Midwest Energy & Communications, Pigeon Telephone Company, Point Broadband Fiber Holding, Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op, Southwest Michigan Communications, Spectrum, Strategic Management, Thumb Electric Cooperative, Upper Peninsula Telephone Company and Waldron Communication Company. The signed agreements enable the subgrantees to "complete pre-construction requirements like permitting and begin preparing for construction for their BEAD projects," according to a press release.
Related:New BEAD round presents complications, uncertain timeline
Comcast connects thousands in Willis, Texas
Comcast announced the completion of network construction in Willis, Texas. The company's Xfinity services are now available for more than 16,000 homes and businesses throughout the Montgomery County region. According to a press release, Comcast's build in Willis is part of the company's broader expansion in southeast Texas, which also includes 1,600 completed locations in Morgan Cemetery, 3,500 nearly completed locations in Navasota, and 6,000 homes and businesses in Wharton and Hungerford under construction through early 2027.
Spectrum grows in Midwest
Spectrum services are now available for thousands more homes and businesses in parts of Ohio and Indiana. In Ohio, Spectrum has expanded its fiber broadband network to more than 13,600 locations across two counties, including 6,300 homes and businesses in Butler County; and 7,300 in Warren County.
Over in Indiana, Spectrum expanded services to 1,500 homes and businesses in Fayette County and 2,900 in Warrick County. Spectrum's expansions in Ohio and Indiana are associated with its multi-year rural construction initiative, supported by Spectrum's private investment and government grants.
Related:Cox broadband sub losses were worse than expected – analyst
Wire 3 expands in South Carolina
Wire 3 construction is officially underway in Easley, South Carolina. The company is investing $19 million to reach more than 18,000 homes and businesses throughout the Pickens/Anderson County community. According to a press release, Wire 3 expects to connect its first Easley customers "as early as this winter." The news comes after Wire 3 announced its expansion into South Carolina, its third state, in May, with a $147 million investment across four counties. Wire 3 is funded by combined investments via Guggenheim Investments and from Oak Hill Capital, which joined Wire 3 as a majority investor in 2024.
Ziply expands in Idaho, Washington
Ziply Fiber has expanded its network in parts of Idaho and Washington. In Idaho, that includes nearly 200 homes and businesses in the city of Harrison, located in Kootenai County. Ziply Fiber services are also available for the "first 250 addresses" of nearly 850 under construction in the city of Cascade, located in Valley County, Idaho. Construction in the remaining locations "will continue over the next several weeks," according to a press release.
Related:The Divide: How Oklahoma is meeting digital needs with Community Access Portals
Moving west to Washington, Ziply Fiber is now available for the first 200 addresses of more than 500 under construction in Benton City, located in Benton County. The remaining 300 homes and businesses will be completed over "the next several weeks." Ziply Fiber was acquired by Bell Canada (BCE) in August 2025.
Dobson connects rural Oklahomans
Dobson Fiber has completed three broadband expansion projects in Oklahoma, supported with $623,869 in funding awarded via the American Rescue Plan Act Capital Projects Fund (ARPA CPF). The projects now connect 407 homes and businesses in and around the towns of Canute and Foss (Washita County), Headrick (Jackson County) and Keota (Haskell County). Dobson Fiber is majority-owned by private equity firm iCON Infrastructure.
About the Author
Editor, host of 'The Divide' podcast, Light Reading
Nicole covers broadband's impact on society, with a focus on policy and the digital divide. She hosts The Divide on the Light Reading Podcast and tracks broadband builds in The Buildout column.