Highline Fiber Internet Expansion Brings Long-Awaited Boost to Michigan’s Thumb Region

Highline has resumed installations of fiber internet across Michigan’s Thumb, targeting rural homes with reliable, high-speed connections. Orders are now open in Sanilac, Tuscola, Lapeer, and St. Clair counties—ushering in new digital opportunities for work, school, and everyday life.

Highline resumes orders for fiber internet in Michigan’s Thumb, aiming to close the rural digital gap in Sanilac, Tuscola, Lapeer, and St. Clair counties.

Fiber Internet Expansion in Michigan’s Thumb Region Offers Needed Relief

Highline, a rural broadband provider, has resumed taking orders for its high-speed fiber optic internet service across Michigan’s Thumb region. The announcement, made April 10, marks a pivotal moment for rural residents in Sanilac, Tuscola, Lapeer, and St. Clair counties—areas historically underserved by broadband infrastructure.

The resumption follows a seasonal pause in construction due to winter weather. Now, with conditions improving, Highline crews are actively installing fiber lines across neighborhoods. “We’re thrilled to resume taking orders now that the winter season has passed,” said Bethany Leiter, Highline’s Community Relations Manager.

Rural Communities Left Behind by Traditional Internet Providers

For much of rural Michigan, internet service has lagged behind urban areas in speed, reliability, and availability. Legacy copper and satellite systems fail to meet the growing demands of modern users. Highline’s entry into the market—with fiber-optic-to-home connections—promises more than just faster YouTube videos. It means full participation in a 21st-century economy.

Remote work, telehealth, and virtual education require stable, high-bandwidth connections. Without access, rural households risk being locked out of job opportunities, schooling, and even emergency services. According to the Federal Communications Commission, over 400,000 Michigan residents still lack access to reliable broadband, the majority in rural zip codes.

Highline’s Fiber Network Designed to Meet Modern Demands

Highline’s infrastructure is based on fiber-optic cabling, which offers several advantages over coaxial or satellite-based systems. These include:

Symmetrical speeds (equal upload and download rates)
Greater bandwidth capacity
Low latency, vital for video conferencing and online gaming
Scalability for future internet needs

Fiber is not only faster; it’s future-proof. Deploying fiber into rural America is expensive but the only real long-term solution. Shortcuts postpone the problem.

Burying Fiber Lines is Labor-Intensive but Critical

With orders now open, Highline crews are focused on burying fiber drops—the physical connections from the main network to individual homes. While time-consuming and weather-dependent, this method is more secure and reliable than overhead lines.

Residents interested in checking availability or placing orders can visit HighlineFast.com or call 888-212-0054.

Michigan’s Broadband Future Hinges on Public-Private Cooperation

Highline’s expansion builds on a larger statewide and national push for broadband equity. In 2023, Michigan received over $1.5 billion in federal funds through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, with the Thumb region identified as a priority area.

State and local partnerships will be key to deploying those funds efficiently. Highline, while a private company, benefits from public mapping data and cooperative planning with counties.

Digital Access is No Longer a Luxury for Michigan Households

Highline’s continued investment in the Thumb underscores a larger reality: access to internet is as essential as electricity. As more services—from tax filing to health appointments—move online, communities without high-speed internet fall further behind.

For Thumb residents, the return of Highline’s order window may mean an end to buffering screens and dropped Zoom calls—and a first step toward true digital inclusion.

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