Lake County, Illinois, sees increase in fiber-optic installations

The fiber-optic race is on in Lake County (IL), or so declares at least one internet service provider building in the county, with the region proving a popular market that has seen a growing need for broadband internet. While there was a federal-level push under the Biden administration for high-speed internet access to be “fiber forward,” Lake County Board member Jennifer Clark said the Trump administration has shifted focus to include technologies like Starlink. Starlink is owned by Elon Musk, a major financial supporter of Trump during his reelection campaign. Affordability aspects of the federal push have also been modified or removed, according to Clark and an analysis released by the National Association of Counties. But despite the de-emphasizing of fiber on the federal level, in Lake County at least, it’s proven popular. Clark said fiber-optic companies note the county’s population density and need for such infrastructure.