As the telecommunications industry continues its push to bridge the digital divide, broadband network deployments are accelerating across the United States. In this installment of The Buildout, Light Reading tracks the latest wave of new construction projects, federal and state funding awards, and commercial service launches. This week’s updates highlight infrastructure expansions reaching more than 47,000 locations nationwide, driven by a mix of private equity investments, federal grants, and state-level broadband initiatives.
Surf Progresses in Indiana
In the Midwest, Surf Internet is making significant headway in expanding its fiber-optic footprint. The company marked a major milestone in late October by hosting an official ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the launch of its high-speed fiber network in Muncie and Yorktown, Indiana.
Surf Internet commenced the $14.6 million infrastructure project in May 2025. Since breaking ground, the provider has successfully connected nearly 2,500 homes and businesses across these two Delaware County communities. The comprehensive buildout is ultimately designed to reach 8,700 locations in Muncie and another 3,000 locations in Yorktown.
Looking beyond its current project scope, Surf Internet has formulated plans to extend its network to an additional 10,000 locations across Delaware and Grant counties. The regional provider’s ambitious deployment strategy is financially backed by private equity funding led by Macquarie Capital, underscoring investor confidence in localized fiber infrastructure development.
TDS Upgrades Bend, Oregon
Moving to the Pacific Northwest, Telephone and Data Systems (TDS) announced that it will soon initiate construction on a major broadband network upgrade in Bend, Oregon. The project forms part of a multi-year modernization effort intended to upgrade services to approximately 30,000 addresses throughout the Bend area.
According to the company, construction on the network enhancement will begin in the coming weeks. Once completed, the upgraded infrastructure will deliver symmetrical internet speeds of up to 8 Gbit/s to residents and businesses across the Deschutes County region. TDS, operating as a subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, is advancing its network strategy with financial backing from Oaktree Capital Management, which has provided substantial capital support amid the company’s broader operational transitions.
Fidium Fiber Adds More Mainers
In New England, Fidium Fiber continues to scale its multi-gigabit network presence, announcing a successful expansion in the town of Milbridge, Maine. More than 2,200 homes and businesses within the Washington County community can now access the provider’s advanced broadband services.
The network expansion reflects the ongoing transformation of the provider formerly known as Consolidated Communications. In December 2024, Consolidated was acquired by affiliates of Searchlight Capital Partners, L.P. and the British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI). Following the acquisition, the company officially rebranded its consumer-facing broadband operations to Fidium in September 2025, positioning the brand for expanded fiber delivery across rural and underserved regions.
iGo Gets USDA Grant in Virginia
Federal funding continues to play a vital role in reaching America’s most remote areas. Telecom provider iGo Technology (iGo) has been awarded a $2.4 million grant through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to deploy a dedicated fiber network in Dickenson County, Virginia.
Under the terms of the grant project, iGo will deploy 25 miles of new fiber-optic cable. The infrastructure will extend connectivity to approximately 300 individuals, encompassing 14 local businesses and two operational farms. As an added community benefit, the project includes the establishment of a dedicated community center in the Dickenson County town of Haysi, providing free public internet access to local residents who previously lacked reliable connectivity options.
Spectrum Connects St. Tammany Parish
State-level broadband offices are also reporting steady progress on municipal connectivity initiatives. Louisiana’s broadband development office, ConnectLA, announced that Spectrum has successfully expanded broadband access to 940 households and 72 businesses in St. Tammany Parish.
The expansion project received essential financial support through the state’s Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities (GUMBO) 1.0 program. Funding for the GUMBO initiative is drawn from the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund, which was established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to support critical capital investments in community infrastructure.
Comcast Comes for More West Virginians
In West Virginia, Comcast’s ongoing infrastructure efforts are yielding tangible results for previously unserved and underserved populations. High-speed fiber internet from Xfinity and Comcast Business is now accessible to more than 1,400 homes and businesses in Monongalia County.
The deployment project remains active, with utility crews working to connect a projected total of more than 2,700 locations by the end of the year. According to local reporting, Comcast was awarded $5.98 million in 2024 toward the broader $17.8 million project. That initial award was allocated directly from Monongalia County’s designated share of American Rescue Plan funding, establishing a public-private partnership model that continues to accelerate broadband delivery across the region.
