The startup that wants to disrupt big internet providers

A new startup backed by funding from AOL founder Steve Case and Laurene Powell Jobs wants to break up broadband monopolies across the country. Underline, a community infrastructure company, began building its first open access fiber network in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in October 2021. Under the open access model, Underline builds and operates the fiber network while multiple service providers can use it and offer service to customers. Underline's project in Colorado Springs involves more than $100 million in capital to build 400 miles of fiber and offer service to 55,000 residences and businesses. According to CEO Bob Thompson, Underline has a list of about 2,500 target cities for service. "We aspire to be the country's first nationwide open access network," Thompson said. "The 2,500 communities have been ignored by the incumbents for years on significant infrastructure upgrades. And they generally won't qualify for the government's infrastructure bill." The open access model is not new, but it's been gaining traction recently, especially as the pandemic has forced people to rely more on home internet. Furthermore, it is already popular in Europe and experts say it could catch on as US demand for fiber increases.