Quilt to use reserve fiber on ComEd system to expand access to high-speed internet.
ComEd is collaborating with QUILT, an Illinois nonprofit supporting disadvantaged communities, to license reserve fiber optics on the ComEd system as part of its efforts to provide affordable high-speed broadband service on Chicago’s South and West Sides.
Other similar agreements will be enabled by a $14.6 million grant awarded to ComEd last year by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (IIJA) and the US Department of Commerce (NTIA), which supports a build-out of reserve middle-mile fiber that can be licensed by any ISP to expand access to affordable broadband service in underserved communities.
“We are excited that our work to modernize our grid provides the added benefit of supporting efforts by QUILT and other companies to improve access to high-speed broadband and enable customers in underserved communities,” said Gil Quiniones, President and CEO of ComEd.
Kyla Williams Tate, Director, Digital Equity Cook County, said: “We commend Quilt and ComEd on their plan to use reserve fiber on the ComEd system to increase access to high-speed internet service in Chicago communities where it is urgently needed.”
“Creative collaborations such as this are essential to bridging the digital divide in Cook County – we hope this leads to many more.”
ComEd’s investments in advanced telemetry infrastructure, such as fiber optics, play a key role in modernizing the electrical grid to meet emerging challenges and customer needs.
This includes expanding grid automation technologies, which automatically route power around problem areas, reducing the frequency and duration of outages.
Fiber optics also plays a key role in managing the large-scale integration of renewable energy, including wind, solar and battery energy storage onto the grid.
While supporting current and future grid needs, ComEd’s conservative approach to the installation of fiber also creates this opportunity for third parties to license reserve fiber to expand broadband service.
According to the Data Science Institute at the University of Chicago, most disconnected households in Chicago are on the city’s South and West Sides, with up to 40% of households lacking Internet in the least connected communities.
Dwayne Douglas, CEO of QUILT and NODE Networks, said: “By increasing affordability and accessibility to broadband service, we are not only closing the digital divide but also unlocking opportunities for residents and businesses in these communities to thrive in the digital economy. “
QUILT’s immediate focus is to initiate deployment of high-speed broadband infrastructure in North Lawndale, Woodlawn and South Shore and it will expand service to additional neighborhoods over the coming months and years.
QUILT’S residential and business customers can expect a range of broadband services with speeds ranging from 100 megabits to 1 gigabit per second, along with digital literacy training, workforce development and job placement.
