MOUNT VERNON — Charter Communications is one of six internet service providers (ISPs) the state will reimburse for infrastructure costs in 23 counties, including Knox.
The reimbursement flows through the Broadband Pole Replacement and Undergrounding Program. The program expands broadband access by reimbursing ISPs for utility pole replacements, underground projects, and the installation of mid-span poles.
Mid-span poles are poles placed at the midpoint between two poles.
The program reimburses underground costs only if required by law, local ordinance, or regulation, or if it is more economical than replacing poles.
“Pole replacements are often a critical component for providers such as us to expand broadband access,” Wes Shirley, Charter’s senior director of Midwest communications, said via email.
“As part of rural broadband expansion, there’s sometimes a need to replace utility poles, or the poles may not have the capacity to carry the weight load of new fiber added for expansion.”
By lowering financial barriers for ISPs, internet companies can bring broadband to communities more quickly.
The 135th General Assembly’s HB 33 funds the program. Broadband Ohio, through the Ohio Department of Development, oversees it.
Charter, whose subsidiary in Knox County is Spectrum, submitted 22 applications covering projects in Knox and 12 other counties. The state will reimburse the company $3,042,707.
The six ISPs requested a total of $23.7 million covering 1,333 poles and 3,622 undergroundings.
In a press release announcing the third round of funding, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said, “By supporting infrastructure investments, we’re opening doors for more communities to connect, grow, and thrive.”
“Reliable internet starts with reliable infrastructure,” Lydia Mihalik, director of the Department of Development, said.
“By removing the cost barriers that slow down progress, we’re making sure every Ohio community has the tools to move forward to connect all Ohioans in today’s digital world.”
Charter Communications continues fiber optic cable in Knox County
Spectrum has invested around $16.4 million in Knox County to bring fiber optic cable to about 3,000 locations. The addresses are in Butler, Clay, Clinton, College, Harrison, Jackson, Liberty, Miller, Morgan, Morris, and Pleasant townships.
The communications company activated 1,726 locations last fall. As of June 13, Spectrum has activated 2,502 locations.
“We have already built out our network to provide broadband to many areas in Knox County. Our buildout continues as we work to connect more homes and businesses to gigabit broadband as quickly as possible,” Shirley said.
“Depending on the area, our rural buildout includes both attaching to poles as well as underground.”
More than $7 billion in private investment from Charter Communications drives the company’s multi-year rural construction initiative. The initiative will ultimately add 100,000 miles of fiber optic network infrastructure and deliver symmetrical, multi-gigabit-speed internet access to more than 1.7 million new locations across the country.
Brightspeed
In August 2024, DeWine announced the state was investing $94.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act dollars in Round 2 of the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Grant program (ORBEG).
Brightspeed was awarded $11,358,720 for one project that will provide access to 5,053 households serving Allen, Ashtabula, Columbiana, Knox, Mahoning, Shelby, and Trumbull counties.
Affected households will have access to fiber-based broadband up to 1 gigabyte per second at symmetrical speeds.
Gene Miller, Brightspeed’s director of public relations, said the money will help the company build its fiber network to approximately 1,000 homes and businesses in Centerburg, Danville, Fredericktown, Gambier, Martinsburg, and Mount Vernon.
“Currently, we are in the planning and permitting process of this fiber network build and anticipate construction to start in early 2026,” Miller said. “The fiber build is expected to be complete by fall 2026.”
