Rockford FiberCity rollout is about 40% complete. Here’s what to know about the internet initiative

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD  —  A $200 million project designed to bring high-speed fiber internet access to every home and business in the city is about 40% complete with its installation.

SiFi Networks launched its Rockford FiberCity initiative in June 2023 with a goal to lay more than 1,300 miles of all-fiber internet cable to access 81,000 homes, businesses and institutions in the city. You’ve probably seen crews with Always Underground Inc., or AUI, with large spools of colorful microduct cable burying lines along Rockford roadways.

“We will be the first city in the state of Illinois to have fiber-optic cable going to every home, business and organization in the city,” Mayor Tom McNamara said in an interview on This Week in the Stateline. “Internet is now a basic necessity. This will bring new internet providers to our market. …

“You’ll have multiple choices to get high quality internet,” McNamara said. “Those choices then drop down the cost for our residents.”

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SiFi is funding, building and operating the open access 10-gigabit enabled fiber networks. The project is entirely funded privately.

The first homes and businesses began getting connected to the network in mid-October.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what to know about the initiative and what you can do once service is online in your area:

How long will it take to complete the project?

SiFi expects to complete its network build in late 2027.

How can you get connected?

Once construction teams have laid the microduct, placed the fiber and activated the cabinet that serves your neighborhood, you will be able to access fiber-optic internet at your home or business.

Residents and businesses can pre-register with their internet service provider to book an install date when the fiber goes live in your neighborhood.

You can sign up with your internet service provider at rockfordfibercity.com.

What providers are using the network?

T-Mobile Fiber is now connecting single-family homes and apartment complexes with a dozen or fewer units.

T-Mobile Fiber plans start at $55 a month with options for 500 Mbps, 1 Gig or 2 Gig speeds.

If you’re interested in its service, visit T-MobileFiber.com/Rockford to see if it is available at your address.

Sumofiber and Coextro are delivering connectivity to complexes with more than 12 units as well as business customers in the city. You can inquire about those services HERE.

How can I know when I will get fiber at my home or business?

There isn’t a public construction schedule that lays out when crews will make their way to different neighborhoods in the city.

Prior to construction beginning, residents will receive a door hanger to notify them of the start of work.

You can also log your interest with your internet service provider, which will provide updates when fiber is expected to be available.

What are the benefits of FiberCity?

The initiative is designed to bring more choices of providers to lower costs, spur economic development and enable Smart City applications such as lighting and traffic management.

“The citywide FiberCity network will digitally sustain Rockford for generations, creating economic and social impact,” Ben Bawtree Jobson, CEO of SiFi Networks, said in a statement last year as the first homes went online.

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas