Holland, Michigan Explores Expansion of Open Access Fiber Network

In November, voters in Holland, Michigan may be voting on a referendum to authorize the City to expand its open access fiber network to the entire community. 

Holland already operates a fiber network in the city's central business district. A recent survey showed strong support from the community's 33,000 residents for a network expansion. 

“Similar to public ownership of city streets, the proposed publicly-owned broadband network would be Open Access, encouraging internet companies to offer fast internet for less,” Holland BPW General Manager Dave Koster said in a utility statement. “Given the success of our pilot project downtown, we are confident we can manage the infrastructure reliably and pass along the savings to our customer-owners.” -- as reported by WHTC radio on their website

The Holland City Council has directed staff to prepare draft language for the general election ballot on November 8, 2022.