Ottawa County, Michigan, Aug. 20, 2025 – 123NET, a Michigan-based provider of fiber internet, colocation and voice services, has connected its first customers in Ottawa County as part of a $15 million project to construct 325 miles of additional fiber and bring high-performance internet access to about 2,500 underserved businesses and residents.
This project is a public-private partnership between 123NET and Ottawa County and was approved by the County’s Board of Commissioners in December 2023. Funding sources include $9 million in ROBIN grant funding, $4 million from the County and $1.9 million from 123NET.
“We’re proud to partner with 123NET to bring high-speed internet access to residents in Ottawa County,” said Eric Frederick, Michigan High-Speed Internet Office chief connectivity officer. “Access to affordable high-speed internet isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity in our professional, personal and social lives. The Michigan High-Speed Internet Office is continuing to bring broadband access statewide, and we’re celebrating a more digitally-equitable Michigan with this connectivity in Ottawa County where people can use reliable technology to improve their quality of life.”
One of the first customers, Ronda Fisher of Hudsonville, is excited to have reliable internet at her home. “I’m excited to experience the improved performance from 123NET’s high-speed internet,” Fisher said. “We were utilizing our hotspot to stream. I’m so excited to get fiber internet to our home, where our family can stream, work and do whatever we need to do without fearing that our internet won’t keep up.”
The Ottawa County fiber installation will connect to 123NET’s existing 4,000-mile Michigan network, which links to multiple data centers and peering exchanges, including the Grand Rapids and Detroit Internet Exchanges. Residents can choose internet speeds from 250 Mbps up to 6 gigabits per second, which is up to 100 times faster than connections available at these addresses previously. The open-access, carrier-neutral network will allow other internet providers to use the fiber, giving residents more choice for service.
“Years of hard work navigating the complexities of enhancing broadband infrastructure has culminated in this major milestone – connecting our first customer to 123NET’s robust fiber network,” said Paul Sachs, Ottawa County Department of Strategic Impact director. “It’s so rewarding to witness this tangible first step in providing the high-speed connectivity County residents and businesses need to thrive.”
Broadband infrastructure supports business, education, healthcare, agriculture and daily life, with rural areas seeing the greatest benefits from new high-speed connections.
“At 123NET, we’re committed to Michigan’s overall connectivity and to delivering best-in-class customer service to every address along the way,” said Chuck Irvin, 123NET’s chief revenue officer. “This deployment will empower residents with the tools they need to succeed and, ultimately, change how people live, work and thrive in Ottawa County.”
Ottawa County residents can check whether their address is included in the current broadband project and pre-register at https://www.123.net/home-fiber-internet/ottawa-county/.
ABOUT 123NET
123NET is a Michigan-based Internet Service Provider (ISP) focused on equipping businesses with industry-leading data center, network and voice services. Over a dozen Fortune 500 companies and thousands of Michigan businesses trust 123NET to provide them with world-class connectivity. Home of the Grand Rapids and Detroit Internet Exchanges, 123NET operates one of the largest carrier-neutral data centers and peers with technology leaders such as Google, AWS, GM and others.
Our mission: BUILDING NETWORK TO MAKE MICHIGAN COMMUNITIES AND BUSINESSES THE BEST CONNECTED ON THE PLANET.
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