ottawa County Residents Gain Access to High-Speed Fiber Internet
Ottawa County, MI – A new fiber optic network installation in Ottawa County is bringing significantly faster adn more reliable internet access to residents and businesses, marking a major step towards digital equity in Michigan. The project, a collaboration between the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office and 123Net, has already connected its first customer, with wider availability rolling out across the county.
Eric Frederick, chief connectivity officer for the Michigan high-speed Internet Office, emphasized the critical role of broadband access, stating, “High-speed internet is a necessity in our professional, personal and social lives.” He added that the office is dedicated to expanding broadband access statewide, celebrating this connectivity in Ottawa County as a way to improve residents’ quality of life through reliable technology.
Ronda Fisher of Hudsonville, one of the first to benefit from the upgrade, previously relied on a mobile hotspot for internet access. ”We were utilizing our hotspot to stream,” Fisher explained. “I’m so excited to get fiber internet to our home, where our family can stream, work and do whatever we need to do without fearing that our internet won’t keep up.”
The newly installed fiber network connects to 123Net’s extensive 4,000-mile Michigan network, providing access to key data centers and internet exchange points in Grand Rapids and Detroit. Chuck Irvin, 123Net’s chief revenue officer, believes this deployment will “empower residents with the tools they need to succeed and, ultimately, change how people live, work and thrive in Ottawa County.”
Residents now have a choice of internet speeds ranging from 250 megabits per second to six gigabits per second – a substantial increase over previously available connections. Moreover, the network’s open-access, carrier-neutral design allows multiple internet service providers to utilize the fiber infrastructure, offering residents greater choice in thier service options.
Paul Sachs, director of Strategic Impact for Ottawa County, highlighted the long-term effort behind the project. ”Years of hard work navigating the complexities of enhancing broadband infrastructure has culminated in this major milestone – connecting our first customer to 123NET’s robust fiber network,” he said. “It’s so rewarding to witness this tangible first step in providing the high-speed connectivity county residents and businesses need to thrive.”
ottawa County residents and businesses can check if their address is included in the project and register for service at https://www.123.net/home-fiber-internet/ottawa-county/.
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