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Local provider i3 Broadband is reminding the industry that small-town sentiment is just as critical to a successful rollout.

Edited by Brad Randall, Broadband Communities

Midwest-based fiber-optic provider i3 Broadband recently announced it has secured Platinum recognition from CommunityVotes Rockford, a distinction that places them at the top of the list for trusted local service providers in the Illinois community.

The CommunityVotes program is driven entirely by area residents, according to i3’s release.

To land a Platinum designation—the highest level possible—a company has to survive a gauntlet of community nominations and voting that measures everything from service value to local impact, i3 said. For a broadband provider, the award also serves as a significant market validator that their “boots on the ground” strategy is resonating with the public.

Mike Elam, i3 Broadband’s vice president of community affairs and market development, noted that the recognition carries extra weight because of where it originated.

“Being recognized with a Platinum award by CommunityVotes Rockford is especially meaningful because it comes directly from the voices of the community,” Elam said.

He also added that the honor reinforces the company’s commitment to “reliable fiber connectivity, responsive local support, and long-term investment in the communities we serve.”

Currently operating across Illinois and Missouri, as well as several markets in Rhode Island, i3 Broadband continues to position itself as a tech-forward player with a local feel. This latest nod from Rockford residents suggests that as the company expands its FTTH footprint, its focus on community-driven service is paying off.

Our staff edited this report, which AI tools helped generate.

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