FFB Week 25 – Surf Internet’s 200k Fiber Passings: Accelerating Rural Deployment Across the Great Lakes

Surf Internet has reached a major milestone—surpassing 200,000 fiber passings across Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan—doubling its reach since late 2023. This rapid growth highlights Surf’s strategic commitment to rural broadband deployment and its role as a regional leader in delivering high-speed fiber connectivity across the Great Lakes.

Now celebrating 25 years in operation, Surf has consistently been the first provider to bring internet—first dial-up, then broadband, now fiber—to many of the communities it serves. With a focus on rural and underserved areas, the company continues to expand its fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) footprint through a hybrid model of private investment, competitive broadband grants, and state-level programs like the Indiana Connectivity Program.

Unlike providers waiting on federal funding cycles, Surf is acting now—deploying capital, forming public-private partnerships, and designing expansion strategies based on community input and localized needs. This on-the-ground approach—driven by a locally rooted workforce and forward-thinking talent development efforts—has proven effective in scaling access while maintaining local relevance and trust.

Join us for our next Fiber for Breakfast as Gene Crusie, CEO, Surf Internet joins Gary Bolton, President & CEO, Fiber Broadband Association to talk about Surf’s approach to accelerating fiber builds in lower-density markets, including how the company balances speed, scalability, and sustainability. With plans to reach an additional 75,000 addresses by the end of 2025, Surf offers a compelling blueprint for rural deployment that’s both proactive and community-driven.

With Special Guest: