MLive
Broadband company defaults on federal grants, delaying internet projects across Michigan
A broadband company promised to bring high-speed internet to many Michigan residents and businesses and then left them in the lurch. In 2024, Kansas-based Mercury Broadband defaulted on federal grant obligations and relinquished more than 60,000 locations across the state, said Eric Frederick, who heads the Michigan High Speed Internet Office. Mercury will not be completing the vast majority of the internet buildout projects.
Internet is slow on Beaver Island, Michigan, but a rural grant could help
Internet connections on Beaver Island (MI) can be hit or miss, and it often depends on whether you can get a cell signal. For years, residents of remote Beaver Island more than 30 miles offshore from the mainland in northern Lake Michigan have said they want better internet access. They specifically want fiber-optic connections to every home, business, and community gathering place. That destination is becoming visible on the horizon.
Broadband Projects Shrink Digital Divide in Washtenaw County, Michigan
An interactive map shows how much progress Internet providers have made building out high-speed broadband across Washtenaw County (MI). Several Internet providers have been connecting more homes and businesses with fiber optic cable. Some addresses are up and running. Some residents can expect to be hooked up soon and other work is ongoing.
Ottawa County commits up to $7.5 million for fiber internet network
Ottawa County (MI) will extend broadband internet service to unserved and underserved areas of the county through a $27 million public-private partnership with a southeast Michigan firm, Southfield-based 123Net. The company will invest $3.5 million as part of a proposed $27 million project to extend 383 miles of fiber-optic lines across the county that initially would pass by nearly 10,000 addresses and could expand in the future.
Holland, Michigan, voters approve citywide high-speed internet proposal
Holland (MI) is getting a citywide high-speed internet network that will be funded by taxpayer dollars after voters approved a $30 million ballot proposal in the city's election. The city of Holland asked voters on August 2, to approve a municipal fiber optic internet network that would provide fast and affordable internet across the city, and would be paid for and maintained through public funds.
Controversial landline telephone bill passes Michigan House
Phone companies are one step closer to having a streamlined process for dropping landlines in Michigan.
The Michigan House voted 71-39 to pass Senate Bill 636, which makes it easier for a company to stop traditional landline or "plain old telephone service" in an area starting in 2017. The Senate must agree with changes made to the bill before it can head to Gov Rick Snyder (R-MI) for his approval.
Supporters, namely AT&T, say the change is needed to allow them to invest in more modern means of communication as droves of customers abandon their landline plans for mobile phones and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoiP) service.
AARP Michigan and law enforcement organizations are concerned residents will be left without reliable access to phone, medical alert and alarm services. They don’t like how the proposal gives more authority to federal regulators and places the burden on consumers to request a state investigation of whether there would still be reliable voice and 911 services in an area if a provider pulled out.