VC-Backed Fastwyre Investing $65 million in Louisiana

Regional provider Fastwyre Broadband is investing more than $65 million in new and existing markets in southwest and south central Louisiana. A Fastwyre spokesperson said that “the vast majority of the $65 million investment is self-funded with small federal and state grant funding in more remote areas.” Fastwyre is a portfolio company of Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC and Catania ABC Partners. The company says that it will build or expand fiber broadband networks to support symmetrical services that eventually will reach 10 Gbps. Initially the company will offer symmetrical speeds of 2 Gbps. Monthly pricing is $44.99 per month for speeds to 100 Mbps to $69.99 for speeds as fast as 1 Gbps. Services that can be supported include e-commerce, virtual learning, agricultural technology, telehealth and entertainment, Fastwyre noted.