AltonWorks Unveils FiberNet Project to Provide Internet to Alton Residents

i3 Internet Cuts Ribbon to Celebrates Major Expansion in Alton

ALTON - Community leaders gathered to learn more about AltonWorks FiberNet, which will increase internet access by delivering enterprise-grade fiber broadband to Alton residents.

On Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, Alton residents heard from AltonWorks CEO John Simmons about his vision for the city and the reasons why AltonWorks decided to support the broadband project. Simmons referred to the event as “one of the most exciting days in Alton’s modern history,” highlighting the benefits of increased internet access for Alton.

“We’re unveiling what we believe is a 100-year vision, an actual transformation infrastructure that's going to touch every corner of Alton,” Simmons said. “Our vision is to make people’s lives better. Our mission is to enable innovative, internet-based opportunities for everyone in Alton.”

i3 Broadband, the internet operator, broke ground on the project on March 14, 2025, and aims to have it completed by spring of 2027. The internet, with symmetrical speeds up to ten gigabits, has the potential to fuel economic growth in the city.

Simmons and Mark Carlie, FiberNet Project Executive, emphasized that they want to “prioritize the unserved and underserved who have been left behind in accessing high-speed, affordable internet.” Carlie noted that 94% of Alton households will be covered by the FiberNet project, including 350 households with school-aged children who previously had no internet access.

“This isn’t just upgrading from dial-up to slightly faster internet. This is enterprise-grade infrastructure built to last at least a century and to evolve with technologies and solutions that we can’t even imagine yet,” Carlie said. “This project will close the digital divide in Alton. It will fuel innovation, create jobs, and fundamentally improve human lives. Alton’s digital transformation starts now.”

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Mike Elam with i3 Broadband expressed his appreciation for AltonWorks and their decision to work with i3 Broadband. As a company, i3 Broadband prioritizes choice and competition, and Elam promised their service plans are “very affordable.”

“We are honored that AltonWorks selected i3 Broadband to build and operate this network,” he said. “i3 Broadband is going to handle all the customer service, the installs and drops to the homes and businesses, and provide the on-premises equipment. You can think of AltonWorks as owning the business, and i3 is going to be the tenant that is running the business for them.”

Simmons joked that he did his “due diligence” when learning about i3 Broadband, and he was impressed by their work. He thanked i3 Broadband and emphasized his gratitude for the other “very significant” partnerships that came together to make this possible.

About 80% of the fiber will be buried underground, while 20% will be installed in the air on poles. Cameron Joost, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Assistant Director, added that the broadband connection will play a major role in Alton’s economic development.

“I’m really so thrilled to be here to celebrate this historic milestone of Alton becoming one of the first communities in Illinois to launch city-wide enterprise-grade fiber internet infrastructure,” Joost said. “It’s a model for other communities across Illinois, approaching broadband infrastructure with vision, partnership, and a commitment to equity.”

As the Nov. 18 ceremony concluded, Alton Mayor David Goins highlighted the partnership between AltonWorks and the city as a great opportunity for community members.

“We’re lighting up Alton for a greater future,” Goins said. “Research has consistently found a strong positive relationship between internet access, particularly broadband, and economic growth and development. That's why we’re really excited about the future of Alton with our partnership with AltonWorks.”

Going forward, AltonWorks and i3 Broadband will host demonstrations and live sign-up events to encourage residents to connect. For more information about AltonWorks and their projects, visit their official website.

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