WINN Communications, a small phone and internet service provider for mid-Michigan and northern lower peninsula, is merging with a statewide network, Peninsula Fiber.
The merger is a sign that internet service providers in Michigan are gearing up for upcoming broadband expansion programs.
In the coming months, billions of dollars from the federal government’s new infrastructure law will be made available to internet service providers across the country.
WINN and Peninsula Fiber are teaming up to make sure their funding applications are as competitive as possible to help them expand access.
"And as a smaller company, there is a big challenge to grow and take advantage of the state or federal programs," said Mark Graf, general manager of WINN Communications based in Mount Pleasant. "But looking at a right fit with someone like PFN, it only made sense that the two companies come together.
Peninsula Fiber and WINN compliment each other well, according to Graf. When the merger is completed, each of Peninsula Fiber and WINN's networks will offer access to networks the other doesn't have.
"On the fringes and further north they have a presence where we don't. So, they'll cover the east coast, west coast of Michigan. And further north we both have presence in Gaylord," said Graf.
Graf said WINN’s 900 customers won’t see price increases once the merge is completed.
The state’s high-speed internet office estimates nearly half a million Michiganders don’t have access to high-speed internet.
