Bright green was sprinkled around as balloon-decorated tables awaited guests during the Ripple Fiber launch party on Aug. 26 to help get the word out about fiber internet being installed in Midland.
The launch was held at Midland Brewing Company, where Ripple Fiber talked about its plans for Midland and how it intends to add more fiber Wi-Fi throughout the area.
Ripple Fiber is one of two fiber internet providers being launched in Midland.
While Ripple Fiber is currently not available in all of Midland, the company is trying to “make waves” to get it installed everywhere in the county.
Jason Fajerski, Director of Government Affairs for Ripple Fiber, shared where the company stands with servicing and where they hope to be in the future.
“We’re only in a few hundred homes right now, serviceable-wise,” Fajerski said. “We’re going to be in 6,000-7,000 in just a few months, with more to come after that.”
Fajerski focused on the benefits of the Wi-Fi, stating that it’s “high speed, symmetrical internet” that he hopes will become Michigan’s “premier fiber internet provider.”
He also noted that a lot of things rely on the internet.
“There’s not much you can’t do without quality internet at this time – school from home, work from home,” Fajerski said. “Gaming, if you are doing YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, if you want to upload a video, you need quality upload speeds.”
The company is in the process of installing the lines, including digging in right-of-way zones to install lines, which includes the areas where city property meets private property.
Ripple Fiber offers several packages for its Wi-Fi plan, including 500 Mbps, 1 gig and 2 gig. The 1 gig and 2 gig plans have the price locked for life.
The company is also working in several other states, including Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Residents looking to see if it’s currently available to them can check on Ripple Fiber’s website.