Fiber Internet Timeline
April 2025 - Construction Begins
The construction phase of the high-speed, reliable fiber internet project begins. This transformative step will bridge the digital divide for members and businesses across Northwest Ohio and Northeast Indiana. By fall 2025, the first customer should have fiber internet service.
PPEC contractor, ITG Communications, hangs fiber mainline in the Latty substation area – specifically in Haviland. Construction will continue in the Roselm substation area by June 2025.
This marks a historic milestone as the co-op expands its mission from delivering reliable electric service to providing fast, affordable, dependable internet.
March 2025
PPEC has applied for B.E.A.D. funding in Indiana to support broadband expansion. Engineering efforts are progressing, with Osmose conducting an electric system audit, which will assist us in preparing our existing poles for fiber installation. NRTC continues with network design and field audits. We also have selected material suppliers for all of the fiber equipment, as well as Wi-Fi gateway access equipment for service delivery and fiber material manufacturers. The first build sequence is being designed.
A contractor has been chosen for the overhead and underground fiber construction as well as the splicing needs.
Meanwhile, the Marketing and Communications Team is actively working to develop marketing strategies for the fiber rollout. The new brand launch is planned to be revealed at the Member Appreciation Day on July 12, 2025.
PPEC continues making significant progress in expanding broadband services, and we’re excited for the future!
November 2024
PPEC continued to expand its team, projects, and initiatives as we work to build a stronger broadband network for our members with the hiring of a Broadband OSP Manager.
PPEC has secured letters of support from community leaders for B.E.A.D. applications to strengthen our case for funding.
Engineering efforts are progressing with the creation of a Bill of Materials (BOM) that has been assembled and will soon be sent out for Request for quote(RFQ) to multiple vendors and material suppliers.
The Marketing and Communications Team has been collaborating with a vendor to research, conduct a survey, and help plan the marketing of a fiber internet service rollout. This will include an email survey for members and phone surveys for non-members, as well as a brand architecture phase.
Exciting progress is underway as we work to bring fast, reliable internet to our members!
July 18, 2024
On July 18, 2024, the Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative Board of Trustees unanimously voted to provide fiber internet as a new service offered by the co-op. This decision came after conducting several feasibility studies earlier this year. The board’s goal is to provide high-speed, reliable internet to the co-op’s electric membership via fiber-to-the-home.
“Our goal will be to build and operate this new business just as we’ve operated the electric side: with our members and community first in mind,” said PPEC President and CEO Randy Price. “We will combine and leverage the electric plant’s benefits and infrastructure we’ve built over the last 89 years with the data transmitted through fiber to better serve you, our members, and future generations.”
Why is the co-op undertaking this effort?
In November 1935, PPEC — a not-for-profit cooperative — was created by its members to provide life-changing electricity to their farms and homes. Back then, the co-op powered rural areas where other big companies said it wasn’t profitable; PPEC met a need when no one else would.
Today, the problem is modern connectivity: work, video streaming, gaming, home devices, and nearly every aspect of life in this digital age requires quality internet. Data shows that nearly 70% of PPEC's membership (especially those in rural areas) is unserved or underserved when it comes to high-speed, reliable internet. This should not be a luxury only available to those in cities.
Just as we did in the 1930s, we strive to improve our members’ quality of life by providing a crucial service. We see the need and are stepping up to fill it.
“As a utility, we experience daily frustrations due to a lack of connectivity,” said Price. “Without reliable and affordable broadband, everyone’s quality of life is impacted.”
“Concern for Community” is one of our Seven Cooperative Principles and the lifeblood behind this decision. Providing high-speed, reliable fiber internet will support economic development efforts locally, lead to higher rates of new business formation, allow for improved remote healthcare, and increase job opportunities for area residents, especially for increasingly popular remote work. When the community prospers, the co-op wins.
Who will the new service be available to?
Residential and commercial members who are currently unserved or underserved, and who express interest will be the priority for connection. PPEC has nearly 14,000 members across seven counties in NW Ohio and NE Indiana — and growing. Our progress will be determined by the amount of member interest in an area.
Non-member communities in need outside of the PPEC territory may be added if the co-op determines it is financially feasible.
What is fiber internet?
Fiber is considered the “gold standard” of broadband connections. The term fiber-optic internet, or just “fiber,” refers to bringing internet service to your home or business with ultra-thin strands of glass fibers bundled inside an insulated casing. The fibers transmit data using light pulses instead of electric currents. Unlike the copper wire of phone or cable connections, or the wireless signals of satellite connections, the data transmitted over fiber-optic cables is coming to you at the speed of light! PPEC plans to provide speeds of up to 1 gigabit.
When will this happen?
Planning, design, and engineering will take place over the next year. By fall 2025, the first member should have internet service from PPEC. We aim to complete our member system by 2028. If PPEC serves non-member communities, the build may take as long as five years (2030). Other unforeseen factors may impact these plans, but the co-op will keep the public informed throughout the process via our website, magazines, email newsletters, and social media.
If I don’t get service, how will this impact me?
The internet and electric sides of the business will remain separate. Electric members will not see their rates increase due to the fiber internet efforts.
However, all members will see the benefit of connecting our substations using fiber technology. This will allow PPEC to detect and restore power outages more quickly and provide more accurate data to the membership with improved communication between equipment. All members will benefit from a smarter, stronger, more connected electric grid.
What’s next?
We hope you are as excited as we are! Watch our fiber updates webpage for more information coming soon. Pre-registration will be available this fall.
Those with questions can call the co-op at 800-686-2357 or email fiber@ppec.coop.
“The Paulding Putnam Electric Board of Trustees and staff are driven daily to be member—and community–focused,” Price said. We are visionary and use every experience to learn, improve what we do for you, and invest in your future. We look forward to serving you in this new capacity.”