Surf InternetSM has deployed multi-gig, fiber-optic internet services in the City of Portage, Ind., delivering speeds of up to 2 gigs for residents and business owners. The achievement was commemorated through a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at Central Park on Tuesday, August 29, marking a significant milestone in the city's digital transformation.
Surf is slated to bring its state-of-the-art fiber internet service to approximately 2,500 residential and commercial locations in the area this year. This venture represents an investment of $2.5 million of their own capital to power the project. Surf plans to expand services throughout the Portage community in 2024 for a total of over 10,000 locations in the city and thousands more in the largely unserved rural areas. The groundwork for this initiative was laid as Surf began construction of a fiber network for Portage Township schools in 2018.
In 2020, Surf collaborated with the Indiana Toll Road's operator, ITR Concession Company, leveraging their private fiber network as a short-term measure to extend fiber internet to over 7,000 students. This undertaking was born as a response to the heightened demand for bandwidth during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring seamless virtual learning experiences for the Portage School District. Today, Surf is dedicated to enriching households with high-speed internet, granting families and students unfettered access to dependable connectivity.
“We are proud to continue our commitment to bringing high-speed internet to the residents of Portage that we began years ago,” said Surf CEO Gene Crusie. “What began as a venture in improving educational opportunities in schools and virtual learning, has now evolved into a catalyst for transformative change across homes and enterprises throughout the city.”
“It's exciting to see Surf Internet expanding their fiber network into Portage,” said Portage Mayor Sue Lynch. “This investment in our community shows that Portage's future is bright and we are poised for responsible growth. I am pleased that Portage residents will see additional options for their service providers which will hopefully bring more competition in pricing.”
Surf is committed to bringing fiber-optic internet to other areas of Porter County and northwest Indiana. Ongoing construction projects in Valparaiso and South Haven have showcased Surf's dedication, with future plans extending the fiber footprint into Hobart, Gary, and Crown Point, Ind.
Jesse Butz, Director of Porter County Public Library System added, "Expanding reliable and affordable access to the internet is essential to the citizens of Porter County. Through expansion of their infrastructure and enhancements to their network, Surf has been heavily investing in Porter County.”
Customers who subscribe to a 2 Gig plan will experience a noticeable increase in symmetrical speeds for even faster upload and download of data. This is especially important for consistent performance when using an internet connection across multiple devices for e-learning, video conferencing, work-from-home, gaming, entertainment, and so much more.
The work in Portage is part of Surf’s overall commitment to build an advanced fiber-optic network serving communities of all sizes across the Great Lakes Region of Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois. Anyone wishing to see if Surf Internet services are currently available for a specific address can visit https://surfinternet.com/ and click the “Check Availability” button.
About Surf Internet
Surf Internet is an innovative fiber-optic internet company that serves as the essential gateway to connectivity across the Great Lakes region of Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois. The company is building a bridge to the wide-open future by delivering high-speed, reliable internet to homes and businesses in underserved, rural communities. Surf’s 170-plus person team is local, giving them an edge when it comes to customer care and advocacy for the region. Headquartered in Elkhart, Ind., Surf also has offices in La Porte, Ind., Byron Center and Fowlerville, Mich., and Coal City and Rock Falls, Ill. Learn more at https://surfinternet.com.
