Broadband Fiber-optic Network for NE GA Almost Complete

By Charlie Bauder, WNEG Radio, Toccoa

A new broadband fiber-optic network for Northeast Georgia is almost complete and officials in three counties are working on getting new business and residents to sign on.

Funded through the Joint Development Authority of Stephens, Franklin, and Hart County, the new broadband network is seen as an economic necessity in the Northeast Georgia and will tie in to an existing network in other north Georgia counties and metro Atlanta.

Stephens County Development Authority Executive Director Tim Martin says crews have finished building out the first couple of phases of a regional high-speed broadband loop.

“18 miles of fiber has already been built that connects Toccoa to Habersham County,” said Martin. “The 70 miles from Toccoa down through Stephens County, into Franklin County, over into Hart County has been built. The North Georgia Network is leasing that fiber from Hart EMC.”

The project will eventually consist of a 150-mile high-speed broadband fiber-optic loop through Stephens, Franklin, Hart, Banks, Habersham, and Rabun counties.

The North Georgia Network, which has an office in Clarkesville, was selected last July the Joint Development Authority of Stephens, Franklin, and Hart Counties to build the Northeast Georgia broadband project.  

They already operate a high-speed broadband loop through a number of North Georgia counties and metro Atlanta.

According to Martin, the first phases that have been completed are now in the process of becoming operational.  He said the goal now is to consider further expanding the backbone while hooking people and businesses onto the fiber-optic network.

“Our North Georgia Network effort is also reaching out to a couple of other local providers to lease some fiber from them,” said Martin last week. “We have had some conversations with local industry trying to gauge their interest in signing on this backbone.”

According to Martin, those discussions include looking at ways to connect the network to area industrial parks.  Martin said a lot of work remains, but adds officials are excited about the progress so far.

Most of the funding for the broadband project has come from a $1 million equity grant from the OneGeorgia Authority.  According to officials, work is taking place to seek additional state funds to help fund the project further.