Intrepid builds more open access networks for T-Mobile

Intrepid Fiber Networks is expanding its open access fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) networks with deployments in eight more communities in Colorado and eight more towns in Minnesota. These newly announced communities are in proximity to current Intrepid deployments, representing an organic expansion of its network. These new locations will bring Intrepid’s network to over 400,000 homes and businesses passed across the two states. Intrepid, which was founded in 2021, has quickly made a name for itself because its anchor tenant for its Colorado and Minnesota networks is T-Mobile. The company also scored with equity financing from Brookfield Asset Management. Intrepid is also talking to other ISPs, which may end up striking wholesale agreements over time. Typically, an open access network will have as many as five ISPs serving end customers. But too many ISPs can deteriorate the profits of the individual service providers. The company is also open to partnering with municipalities if it can “make the math work.” And it’s looking at Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) opportunities.