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A partnership between Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative and Conexon Connect will deliver fiber to underserved communities on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Edited by Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
Conexon Connect says they’re doing what they can bridge digital divides in northwest Florida with an ambitious new fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network designed to bring multigigabit internet speeds to underserved communities along the state’s Gulf Coast.
The internet service provider (ISP), formed by rural fiber-optic network specialist Conexon, aims to deliver reliable, high-speed connectivity that it says rural residents in the area have long been waiting for, according to a May 12 release.
“This is another step forward in expanding Conexon Connect’s reach and delivering the kind of fiber-first infrastructure that communities need to thrive,” said Randy Klindt, Conexon founding partner and co-CEO of Conexon Connect.
He emphasized the company’s commitment to connecting areas historically overlooked.
Partnership with local electric cooperatives is also key to Conexon’s strategy.
John Bartley, CEO of Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative, praised the collaboration, saying, “By working with Conexon Connect, we’re helping ensure our members have access to the fast, dependable internet service they need for work, education, healthcare and beyond.”
The project will also enhance smart grid capabilities, making the electric infrastructure more resilient to storms, a critical feature for coastal communities.
This marks Conexon Connect’s sixth FTTH network built in collaboration with Florida cooperatives, the ISP says.
Nationwide, the ISP operates more than 20 FTTH projects across seven states, reaching nearly half a million rural homes and businesses. Since its founding, Conexon says they’ve designed and constructed over 200,000 miles of fiber, connecting more than 4 million rural Americans to high-speed internet.
Some AI tools assisted in the crafting of this report.
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