LAGRANGE — Fiber optic broadband internet has seen a massive increase in popularity as the necessary infrastructure becomes available. The LaGrange County REMC has become the area leader in providing broadband services, and they seek to double their current network size by the end of 2024.
The company began installing fiber optic infrastructure in July of 2021, and, in the fall of ‘22, they began customer installations. They recently made their 2,000th connection, and REMC CEO Mark Leu says they have another 5,000+ customers who have already pre-registered to have fiber optic broadband installed at their homes.
“The response has been positive,” said Leu. “Once we install in an area, word seems to spread quickly which allows us to build our network faster.”
The REMC has attributed this to its increased reliability and speeds in rural areas over traditional copper cable.
“In the layman's terms, it’s fibers that carry information via light,” said Leu. “If you think about information as a string of 1’s and 0’s, fiber optics are flashing that information through a fiber very quickly. It’s sort of like a laser.”
According to the NAI Group, a global manufacturer of advanced high-reliability communication solutions, the wires are made with a core composed of a glass and plastic fiber compound. The core is wrapped in a special reflective glass called “cladding.” Beams of light are then emitted into the tube, which bounce off the cladding and travel down the core until they reach a receiver.
According to Leu the cables can be installed overhead or underground, with the most typical method being underground cables that connect the house to the network.
“It’s a lot more reliable than wireless or cable,” said Leu. “Since (cables use) electrical signals, there are more variables that affect connectivity. Weather events, physical obstructions and the speed the signal travels.”
The reliability has been a draw for many customers. “It will make our lives so much easier,” Emily James told the REMC. James and her husband were the 1,000th fiber connection made by the REMC. She continued, “Our kids need it for school, and we need it for business. We won’t have to drive to Kendallville (from Wolcottville) to do our Quickbooks program. It’ll be lifestyle changing.”
Recent years have seen an uptick of work, school and entertainment functions being carried out via the internet. Several school systems in the area have implemented the use of e-learning days, and workplaces across the country have reported an increased use of online platforms such as Zoom for meetings.
According to a 2021 study conducted by the Pew Research Center, a “digital gap” exists between urban and rural areas. The study reports that of the people surveyed, 24% of the residents from rural areas said high-speed internet was an area of major concern in their local community. This stands in contrast with 13% of urban residents and 9% of suburban residents.
“That is the exact reason why we started this project, “ said Leu. “to bring high speed internet to our rural communities, not just to make life a little easier, but because it’s now a necessity.”
The REMC expects its growth to continue, and will seek to keep expanding their network over the coming years.
“We’re hoping to get up to 4,000 connections by the end of 2024,” said Leu. “I think the pre-registrations will keep rolling in as we go, and as we install in areas that are yet to receive any sort of fiber service.”
© 2025 KPC Media Group, Inc.