Kansas City, Mo. — Aug. 16, 2024 — /PRNewswire/ — Conexon Connect and Eastman, Ga., -based Ocmulgee EMC today announced the completion of their high-speed fiber broadband network that spans over 1,270 miles across five counties in the EMC’s rural Georgia service area.
Connect, powered by Ocmulgee EMC, fiber internet service is now available to 100 percent of the EMC’s 8,000 members in Laurens, Bleckley, Dodge, Pulaski, and Telfair counties.
This project marks a significant milestone in bringing state-of-the-art internet services to rural communities within Ocmulgee EMC’s service area, underscoring the EMC’s commitment to enhancing quality of life by closing the digital divide and fostering economic development.
“Celebrating the successful deployment of our fiber network throughout Ocmulgee EMC’s service area marks a pivotal accomplishment in our ongoing mission to build connectivity and spur economic growth across rural communities,” said Conexon Founding Partner and co-CEO Randy Klindt. “We are proud to play a role in empowering these communities with digital parity, ushering in a future marked by sustained innovation and prosperity.”
Ocmulgee EMC announced its project with Conexon in 2022 with an anticipated construction timeline of 2-4 years. Today’s announcement reflects project completion eight months ahead of schedule.
“The completion of our fiber-to-the-home network is a monumental achievement for Ocmulgee EMC,” Ocmulgee EMC General Manager W.H. Peacock said. “Together with our partner Conexon Connect, we have accomplished our goal of providing unparalleled connectivity to our community. Together, we are empowering our members with the high-speed internet they deserve, paving the way for a brighter, more connected future.”
The Connect, powered by Ocmulgee EMC, fiber-optic network provides members access to multi-gigabit-speed symmetrical internet capabilities, offering the same fast download and upload speeds, reliable phone service, and delivers the benefits of smart grid capabilities to the co-op’s electrical infrastructure.
The project is the fourth Conexon Connect FTTH network to be completed nationwide, and also the fourth in Georgia. Conexon’s inaugural FTTH project, a partnership with Barnesville-based Southern Rivers Energy, was completed in fall 2023, with Vienna-based Middle Georgia EMC finishing in first quarter 2024, and Sandersville-based Washington EMC completing in July.
