Township Administrator’s Corner by Vito Sinopoli

A new option for fiber internet service may be coming soon to Bath Township as Lit Fiber announces its plan to introduce fiber to the community. Building upon an existing fiber network in Medina County, Lit’s move promises to transform the broadband landscape in Bath, providing residents and businesses with unprecedented internet speeds and reliability.

Lit Fiber’s entry into Bath runs concurrent with Summit County’s separate proposal to develop a 125-middle mile fiber loop throughout the county. Expanding upon the Fairlawn Gig broadband network, the county is using American Rescue Plan Act funds on a build-out of a publicly owned network first discussed in 2021.

This countywide public safety loop network, Summit Connects, would extend fiber through each of the 31 Summit County communities, offering local officials the ability to connect government offices, public libraries and school districts to the fiber network. The plan would provide a 125-mile fiber access loop network designed to enhance public safety in Summit County, but would not include service to commercial or residential locations.

The county broadband project is viewed as vital, impacting areas of need and opportunity, including public safety, education, health and economic development. The countywide project is believed to be the first of its kind in the country and is being developed as a network supported through a public/private partnership.

As a first step in evaluating the feasibility of the Summit County broadband project, county officials have been meeting with local government stakeholders to consider the needs of each community. Learning how local governments use broadband service and data storage, and an analysis of the cost of the services for each community have been part of those discussions. The countywide proposal is deemed a first step in creating the base infrastructure on which private service providers might expand networks through individual communities in the future.

Township officials have attended several meetings since 2022 with Summit County representatives to discuss the county fiber loop. Competitive bidding for the project was scheduled for July 1, with an anticipated construction start date of Sept. 26. Project completion is tentatively scheduled for the end of 2026. It is anticipated Summit County’s broadband project will serve as the foundation on which private broadband partners will build the “last mile” path of service to residential and commercial customers.

Bath residents have expressed a strong desire for more broadband service options, and the expansion of Lit Fiber’s service may fill that void. Work on the Lit Fiber project is scheduled to commence in the fall of 2024 with engineers currently evaluating areas where aerial and underground service can be extended. The exact coverage areas are yet to be confirmed.

In a preliminary meeting with representatives from Lit Fiber, township representatives were informed that residents and businesses alike can look forward to enhanced online experiences including smoother streaming, quicker downloads and more robust support for multiple connected devices.

This technology is touted to create seamless connectivity, allowing users to enjoy strong and consistent internet signals in every corner of their home. Moreover, Lit Fiber contends there are several attractive aspects to their service, including no data caps or contracts, 24/7/365 technical support and enhanced security protection.

It is hoped the Lit Fiber network will complement the county’s proposal, which aims to create a comprehensive and interconnected broadband network across the region. Together, these projects have the potential to provide Bath and the surrounding areas with an unprecedented level of internet service while boosting economic development.

As Bath Township prepares for this exciting development, the community will eagerly anticipate further details on the specific coverage areas and service plans from Lit Fiber. This project marks a significant step forward in meeting the growing demand for high-speed internet and ensuring that Bath Township remains competitive in the digital age.

With fast gigabit speeds, comprehensive home coverage, expanded customer service options, enhanced security features and no data caps or contracts, Lit Fiber is poised to become a key player in Bath’s digital infrastructure. ∞