On July 18, 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.

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, we powered rural areas when other big utilities said it wasn’t profitable; we 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 require quality internet service. Data shows that nearly 70% of our 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.

“Concern for Community” is one of our seven cooperative principles and the lifeblood behind this decision. Providing high-speed, reliable fiber internet service 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 HAVE ACCESS TO THE NEW SERVICE?

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 Northwest Ohio and Northeast Indiana — and membership is 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, until 2030.

Other unforeseen factors may affect 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 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, ppec.coop/fiberupdates, for more information coming soon. Preregistration will be available this fall.

Questions: Call us at 800-686-2357 or email fiber@ppec.coop.