As the way we use technology has evolved from opening files on floppy disk drives to cloud computing, so has the demand for internet connectivity. The way education, business, health care, and social interaction are conducted makes it clear high-speed internet service is no longer a luxury – it is a necessity both now and into the future.
But broadband service in Ottawa County continues to be inconsistent – many areas lack service, experience poor service, or residents simply can’t afford high-speed internet. Ottawa County is actively working to address these persistent gaps in high-speed internet service through a multifaceted Countywide Broadband Project.
Through a partnership with internet service provider 123NET, the County is working to ensure all residents and businesses have access to affordable and reliable high-speed internet.
Stay Informed
Follow 123NET’s Update Center
for Ottawa County
123NET, Ottawa County’s partner for fiber infrastructure development, has created a webpage to share information about the ongoing broadband project. Residents are encouraged to join 123NET’s email list to stay updated on construction plans and current maps. Please note that current plans are preliminary and will be updated periodically.
Next Steps
In spring 2024, Ottawa County and broadband partner 123NET received final grant approvals for the state’s Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Network (ROBIN) grant. Approximately $9 million in state funds, paired with $4 million in matching funds from the County and $1.9 million from 123NET, is being allocated to build 325 miles of fiber, bringing high-speed internet access to approximately 2,500 underserved businesses and residents. In August 2025, the first customer was connected in the Hudsonville area.
The ROBIN portion of the fiber installation project is on track to be completed before the end of 2026.
Ongoing Efforts: A Buildout in Phases
The ROBIN-funded portion of fiber construction funds the first phase of this Countywide Broadband Project. Phase two of the project seeks to expand coverage to addresses not eligible for the ROBIN grant with funding from a separate source, the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) grant.
Project partner 123NET worked together with County staff to complete and submit strong applications to the state. On March 25, 2025 the County Board of Commissioners voted to support the joint applications. The County signed a Letter of Intent to contribute the remaining $3.5 million in Board Initiative Funds to match 123NET’s additional $3.5 million investment. If awarded the project could receive as much as $16 million in BEAD grant funds and connect approximately 5,400 new addresses.
Submitted in early April, the BEAD applications are now being reviewed by the state. Final grant awards and/or eligible locations may change based on state determinations. More details will be forthcoming. If funds are awarded, DSI staff, representatives from 123NET, and local officials will evaluate the award to determine the scope and final details of the project.
Though an award for expanded fiber would move the County closer to comprehensive coverage, wired service may not be feasible everywhere. Fixed wireless and satellite options are still in consideration since a multi-technological approach may be needed to provide ubiquitous accessibility. The outcome of the BEAD grant award will determine the next steps needed for the ultimate goal of comprehensive coverage.
Broadband Data Collection Survey
Before improving broadband coverage could realistically begin in Ottawa County, accurate data was needed. Funded by the County and its strategic partners, a survey was conducted by initiative partner Merit Network, an Ann Arbor-based internet research and educational organization.
Initiative partner and survey creator Merit Network carefully reviewed survey and speed test data collected through the end of 2021 from County residents and businesses and released a detailed report.
Presented in spring 2022, the survey showed major gaps in broadband access and clearly showed service is insufficient, and there is significant demand throughout Ottawa County
Broadband Data Collection - Executive Findings Report
This PDF document summarizes the survey process and offers key takeaways in easy-to-digest graphics and charts.
Broadband Data Collection - Topline Report
This PDF document offers a more comprehensive look at survey speed and broadband availability data, as well as an overview of respondents’ opinions and assessments of Internet service.
Where We’ve Been
Expansion of Cellular and Data Coverage
In the late 2000s, the County partnered with Sprint (now part of T-Mobile) to upgrade and expand its wireless broadband network. In exchange for Sprint investing $1 million to enhance and expand high-speed wireless service to the County’s rural areas, local officials, whenever possible, assisted with expediting permitting, zoning approvals, and site assessments needed to upgrade and expand the existing wireless network.
Eventually, the County worked with Verizon and AT&T to fill coverage gaps by constructing cell towers in underserved areas. Cellular and data coverage in more rural parts of the County improved significantly.
Hotspot Device Lending Initiative
Beginning in 2018, the County partnered with three area libraries to initiate a Mobile Hotspot Device Lending Initiative. This program allows residents to check out the portable devices from their local library for on-the-go access. With the support of this Department, eventually all nine Ottawa County libraries received a Library of Michigan Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant to expand the program, making the devices available for loan to the county’s more than 300,000 residents.
Connect Michigan Report
In 2018, in an attempt to better understand regional challenges, over a dozen counties in West Michigan – including Ottawa – partnered with ConnectMichigan, a nonprofit working to expand broadband.
A community technology assessment was performed to identify deficiencies and opportunities for improving local broadband access to advance economic, social, and educational opportunities for families, businesses, and community institutions.
A comprehensive Community Technology Action Plan was created. Unfortunately, the results of that effort did not provide the level of granularity needed to thoroughly and accurately understand the county’s true broadband landscape. These issues are further explained below under “Continued Issues”
Continued Issues
Although the County has taken an active role in improving high-speed internet access, these efforts alone haven’t solved the problems we face.
Community Technology Action Plan Held Back by Inaccurate Data
The FCC maintains maps that illustrate broadband coverage across the Country based on Census blocks. Census blocks vary widely in size based on population density. For example, a Census block in the city of Holland can be dramatically smaller than a block in a less densely populated township. As the map at left shows, if one home in a Census block has access, FCC maps represent that the whole block has access, skewing the data. Because the Action Plan was based on Census block data, it failed to drill down far enough to truly determine any gaps in connectivity. Additionally, inaccurate FCC maps have delayed and in some cases disqualified the County from qualifying for grants to plug these gaps in service.
Wireless Internet not a standalone solution
Wireless internet as a last-mile solution (wireless service into homes) is not always practical. Tower proximity, network congestion, data caps and limited upload/download speeds can all factor into service availabililty
Caveats aside, as technology improves and infrastructure solutions are developed to expand reliable broadband to unserved rural areas, wireless can offer advantages when combined with other technologies to cost-effectively extend services.
The County’s evolving infrastructure solutions to extend broadband countywide will involve the use of some wireless internet for local infrastructure needs as necessary and practical to supplement planned fiber routes.
As part of accepting funding from the state ROBIN grant in 2023, Ottawa County entered into a service delivery contract with Tilson Infrastructure to identify opportunities for and, ultimately, the constructing of towers in critical locations. This will ideally provide fixed wireless broadband service in the hard-to-reach areas and where fiber infrastructure is unlikely to be installed in the short-term.
The Digital Inclusion Strategy
Because of inaccurate data, national providers, state and federal regulators had been under the impression reliable, high-speed broadband service is consistently available in all corners of the County. Our citizens have told us otherwise: countless residents have reported they either don’t have high-speed internet access, their service is unreliable, or is too expensive.
In light of these continued reports and the static efforts of private-sector providers to address our county’s coverage gaps, the County and its strategic stakeholders are moving aggressively to improve and expand broadband service in order to achieve universal, affordable access for all.
Resources
- Everyoneon.org
Use this website to find low-cost internet and affordable computers in your area. - 21st Century Infrastructure Commission
In March 2016, Gov. Rick Snyder created the 21st Century Infrastructure Commission. The Commission developed a list of 110 solutions to improve Michigan’s infrastructure and enhance the quality of life for all Michiganders. - Speed Test
Test the speed and performance of your internet connection here. - Michigan.gov/MiHi
The official webpage of the Michigan High Speed Internet Office. Keep up with Michigan broadband internet initiatives and find useful links. - Broadbandmap.fcc.gov/home
This is the FCC’s official National Broadband Coverage Map. You can check to see the accuracy of the map, and issue a challenge if data appears to be inaccurate.