The Buildout is a column from Light Reading tracking broadband network deployments. This week we’re tracking new construction, awards and service launches reaching over 83,000 locations across the US. Send us your news at [email protected]. Keep up with every installment of The Buildout here and sign up for the Light Reading Broadband newsletter here to get The Buildout in your inbox every Friday.*
Hawaiian Telcom to start BEAD build
Hawaiian Telcom has finalized a $34 million BEAD contract (including a $5 million match) with the state of Hawaii to connect 5,800 homes, according to a press release. Hawaii received final approval on its BEAD deployment plan in January, which will see Hawaiian Telcom connect 82% of the state’s 7,000 eligible locations, with the remaining to be connected by low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite via Amazon Leo. Hawaii has committed $30.6 million of its initial $149.5 million BEAD allocation to broadband deployment.
Texas halts BEAD
Meanwhile in Texas (and really for some un-build-out news), the state’s BEAD program is on pause while a previously reported audit is performed, following concerns from some lawmakers that Texas officials showed favoritism to Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which won the highest share of BEAD locations in the state. Texas had previously planned to start construction on BEAD builds this summer, but according to reporting by the Texas Tribune, the state officially placed a hold on BEAD disbursements this week: “In an email obtained by The Texas Tribune, the state broadband office shared with subgrantees that the hold was effective as of Monday, and will be in place ‘until further notice.’ The office did not give a reason as to why the disbursements were paused … ‘No further action is required from subgrantees at this time,’ the office said in the email. ‘The BDO [Broadband Development Office] will provide additional guidance and updates as they become available,'” states the Texas Tribune’s report.
GoNetspeed starts work in Rahway, NJ
GoNetspeed started construction in Rahway, New Jersey, located in Union County. The company is investing $43 million to connect 34,000 homes and businesses in the regions of Rahway, Clark, Linden and Woodbridge. Initial customers are expected to receive service by this winter, “with work spreading across Clark, Linden, and Woodbridge in the coming weeks.” GoNetspeed work is underway elsewhere in New Jersey, with expansions announced this year to the communities of East Brunswick, Old Bridge and South River. In April, T-Mobile announced it will invest $2 billion in order to form a 50/50 joint venture with Oak Hill Capital to acquire and combine GoNetspeed with Greenlight Networks. The deal is expected to close in 2027, pending regulatory approvals.
Wire 3 expands to Athens, Georgia
Wire 3 is growing its reach in Georgia. The company announced it is investing $40 million to expand to more than 39,000 homes and businesses in the city of Athens (part of Athens-Clarke County). Construction will begin this fall, with initial service expected to be available in the winter. Wire 3 began expanding into Georgia in 2026 and has construction underway in the communities of Albany, Macon and Houston County. Wire 3 is funded by combined investments via Guggenheim Investments and from Oak Hill Capital, which joined Wire 3 as a majority investor in 2024.
Comcast expands in Putnam County, Florida
Comcast expanded Xfinity and Comcast Business services to more than 2,400 homes and businesses in Putnam County, Florida, located in and around the communities of Bardin, Bostwick, Crescent City, Interlachen, Palatka and Pomona Park. The network deployment project, which received partial grant funding from the state, is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with construction ongoing to reach an additional 3,500 locations, according to a press release.
Spectrum grows in Michigan
A couple thousand more homes and businesses in three Michigan counties have gained service from Charter’s Spectrum. The company announced that its fiber broadband network is available to more than 1,000 homes and businesses in Genesee County, including in the townships of Argentine, Atlas, Davison, Flushing, Forest, Gaines, Montrose, Richfield and Thetford. In Hillsdale County, Spectrum expanded to another 700 homes and businesses in the townships of Allen, Amboy, Camden, Litchfield, Reading and Scipio. Finally, in Roscommon County, Spectrum expanded to nearly 300 additional homes and businesses in the townships of Backus, Markey, Richfield and Roscommon.
*Editor’s note: The Buildout will skip publication next week and will resume on Friday, August 28.
