Connect’s fiber-to-the-home networks built with Georgia cooperatives collectively will deliver access to lightning-fast broadband to 85,000 rural Georgia homes and businesses
Conexon Connect, the newly formed internet service provider created and managed by rural fiber-optic network design and construction management leader Conexon, has been selected by Middle Georgia EMC to provide access to reliable, affordable fiber broadband service for the cooperative’s 4,800 members.
The electric cooperative is teaming up with Conexon Connect to launch and deploy a 1,900-mile fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network that will span the service territory’s seven counties in central Georgia.
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The partnership with Middle Georgia EMC follows broadband expansion announcements in Georgia in which Central Georgia EMC, Southern Rivers Energy and Washington EMC announced partnerships with Conexon Connect. Now, with the four cooperatives together, approximately 85,000 central Georgia homes and businesses will have access to high-speed internet with state-of-the-art FTTH networks.
“The change that fiber broadband is going to bring to so many individuals and families in so many rural communities in Georgia is exciting,” Conexon Partner Randy Klindt said. “We are thrilled to have Middle Georgia EMC joining our other Georgia cooperatives as part of our team and contributing to a shared vision and future powered by fiber.”
Middle Georgia EMC’s $36.7 million fiber network is expected to be completed within 2 years. The first customers will be connected in 1Q 2022.
“Our members have waited long enough for high-speed access to make telemedicine, remote learning, working from home, and videoconferencing with loved ones a reality on a daily basis,” said Randy Crenshaw, President and CEO of Middle Georgia EMC. “Connect is making it possible for our cooperative to deliver this vital service at last. We are ready to show them all the opportunities that open up in a more connected community.”
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The fiber-optic network will offer members access to symmetrical (same upload and download speeds) gigabit internet capabilities – among the fastest and most robust in the nation. Additionally, it will provide reliable, clear phone service and enable the benefits of smart grid capabilities to the electrical infrastructure, including improved power outage response times, better load balancing, more efficient electricity delivery and others.
Conexon and Conexon Connect work exclusively with electric cooperatives with a commitment to serving 100% of co-op members with fiber broadband. With its clients, the company has designed more than 100,000 miles of fiber, builds more than 30,000 miles per year and has connected over 200,000 subscribers.
Conexon Connect recently participated as part of Conexon’s Rural Electric Cooperative Consortium, a bidding entity awarded over $1.1 billion through the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction to deliver broadband service at the gigabit (highest service level) tier. The Connect awards encompass dozens of electric co-op territories throughout 10 states. The ambitious initiatives will deliver lightning-fast symmetrical broadband service to millions of Americans – fiber to 100% of rural homes and businesses in all the territories awarded in the RDOF auction. The company’s intent is to partner with the electric cooperatives serving those awarded territories – as in the instance of the Georgia cooperatives.
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