Growing the Fiber Network

Growing Demand

The demand for fiber is growing, and with the addition of 13 new commercial and business customers to the network this year, Holland BPW surpassed $1 million in fiber optics revenues for the first time. Light-speed data connection is critical to Holland’s largest and most innovative businesses, and recent expansions have opened the connection to several new customers, including a local pharmaceutical manufacturer.

Like many in the area, the company relied primarily on bonded T1 lines for both internet and WAN access. However, the increasing use of cloud-based applications and the proliferation of mobile devices among contractors were beginning to fill up the existing pipeline. By switching the site’s internet access to newly run fiber lines, they were able to free up bandwidth significantly. The company has connected two facilities in Holland to HBPW fiber and has plans to connect a third site.

This past year, HBPW invested in system-wide fiber switch upgrades to increase maximum data transfer rates from 3 gigabits to 10 gigabits. That’s enough bandwidth to support scores of businesses simultaneously using high-speed applications such as HD video conferencing, multimedia or 3D CAD file transfers, offsite server backups and more.

The HBPW is seeking new ways to bring fiber service to even more customers. We’re changing our construction cost structure to help remove the often expensive barrier of initial hookups, and we’re working with community groups, ISPs and potential customers to set plans for expansion into residential areas.