By 1808Delaware
Westerville residents could begin seeing fiber internet construction in their neighborhoods this summer as part of a new partnership between the City and altafiber, as a three-year project will bring altafiber’s multigig fiber network to approximately 15,000 addresses in and around Westerville, providing residents with another option for high-speed internet service.
Unlike many large infrastructure projects, the network will be constructed without the City contributing capital dollars toward the build.
“High-speed internet is an absolute necessity for modern daily life,” Westerville City Manager Monica Dupee said. “This partnership is Westerville’s response to the need for fiber, and we found a way to do it without a multi-million dollar investment.”
Building on Westerville’s Technology Investments
The agreement draws on infrastructure Westerville already has in place, including its municipal Electric Department and WeConnect, the City’s community-owned data center. Through a long-term presence at WeConnect, altafiber will be able to serve local customers while working with the City to install underground fiber in selected areas. Using existing infrastructure and coordinating construction is expected to reduce excavation costs associated with building the network. The arrangement will also create a new source of revenue for WeConnect while giving altafiber direct access to a larger customer base.
“What makes this partnership truly special is our ability to build on prior plans and investments in infrastructure to deliver a crucial resource without making a significant commitment of City funds,” Dupee said.
The partnership adds another element to Westerville’s technology infrastructure as the City works to remain competitive for employers, investment and economic development opportunities.
Faster Service for Homes and Businesses
The network will use XGS-PON technology, a fiber standard designed to provide high upload and download speeds over the same connection. Once construction is complete, residents within the service area will have access to fiber connectivity capable of supporting hybrid work, remote education, telehealth services, streaming, gaming and other internet-intensive uses.
The company currently offers symmetrical speeds of up to 6 gigabits per second, meaning customers can receive comparable upload and download speeds. altafiber also reports network reliability of 99.99%.
Greg Wheeler, chief operating officer of altafiber, said the project represents an investment in both residential service and Westerville’s broader economic future.
“World-class fiber infrastructure is a critical driver of economic growth, supporting business expansion, attracting new employers and enabling innovation across industries,” Wheeler said.
He said Westerville’s approach positions the community to compete for jobs and investment while providing residents and businesses with the connectivity required for future growth.
A Broader Ohio Expansion
altafiber is best known as a fiber service provider in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, but the company has been expanding into additional Ohio markets. The company has invested more than $1.5 billion in its Midwest fiber network and is extending its Fiber-to-the-Home service into communities across Fayette, Franklin, Montgomery, Greene and Union counties.
Westerville now becomes part of that expansion, with construction scheduled to move through the community over the next three years. Residents will be able to check whether their address is eligible for service through altafiber’s website and register for updates as construction reaches individual neighborhoods.
For Westerville, the project represents more than another internet service option. It is also an effort to use municipal infrastructure and private investment to expand a modern utility without placing the construction cost directly on City taxpayers.
