Smithville recognized as national “Top 100” broadband company for unprecedented 12th consecutive time
Smithville joins AT&T, Calix, Comcast, Verizon, Corning, and other national companies for the Top 100 honor; Smithville was selected in part for introducing “innovative technologies with game-changing potential”
ELLETTSVILLE, Indiana – Recognized for its innovation and focus on partnerships, Smithville Communications, Inc. has again been named a national Top 100 U.S. broadband technology industry leader by Broadband Communities magazine. Smithville’s innovative work in expanding its middle-mile fiber network, building a 100 Gbps core network node in rural Dubois County, Indiana, for enterprise-level capacity, and joint project with a local REMC helped secure the recognition.
Smithville’s national Top 100 broadband company status was accomplished through a comprehensive competitive process completed in June 2020. Achieving this national recognition for an unprecedented 12th consecutive time, Indiana-based Smithville was selected by a panel of experts associated with the magazine. As noted by industry professionals, Smithville has firmly established a reputation for providing fiber broadband and fiber-to-the-premises service (FTTP) in Indiana (particularly in traditionally neglected rural areas). The company was named together with 99 other major national firms like AT&T, Comcast, Verizon, and others in receiving the 2020 honor.
“This recognition by national technology professionals represents a humbling and exciting standard, and we are gratified to receive this honor for the 12th consecutive time,” said Darby McCarty, chairman and CEO of Smithville. “Our 205 employees deserve the credit, as their quality of work remains outstanding and is the real reason we can receive such recognition, especially in the face of a debilitating global pandemic – they are among the best in the business.”
“Our standards for this recognition are high,” said Masha Zager, editor of Broadband Communities magazine. To receive the honor, companies must effectively demonstrate the capacity to “transform local economies or improve communities’ quality of life,” or by “introducing innovative technologies that have game-changing potential,” or provide other outstanding performance factors. Editorial and technical experts in fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) deployment make the final decisions.
“Smithville stood out as an early adopter and provider of commercial and residential fiber service. Smithville takes risks and aggressively seeks fiber-based innovation and transformation, which is what one would expect from a company that demonstrates national leadership,” said Zager.
Smithville’s network has primarily been funded by private investments totaling upward of a quarter of a billion dollars since the company became an early adopter of then-uncommon fiber technology in 1991. “Smithville is committed to providing fast, reliable, and secure services for our customers,” said Executive Vice President Cullen McCarty. “We accomplish this by continuing to re-invest company earnings into expanding and reinforcing our incredibly resilient, state-of-the-art fiber network.”
Smithville’s unique partnership with South Central Indiana REMC for a joint fiber construction project to more than 3,400 southern Indiana rural residents and businesses caught the eye of the judges. In addition, Smithville’s self-funded middle-mile expansion and continued commitment to offer “no data caps” and “best available speeds” to customers were factors in the selection process. The company also was recognized for its project to create a 100-gigabit fiber ring and for its continued commitment to public-private partnerships.
“Despite the safety and construction challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, Smithville continues to focus on new opportunities that deliver high value and sustained high-speed connectivity for our customers and the communities we serve,” said Paul Quick, president of Smithville. “This national recognition reflects the positive core values of our company and its owners.”
About Smithville
Nationally recognized for more than a decade as a Top 100 Broadband Company, privately owned Smithville is Indiana’s largest independent telecom company with more than 200 employees. As a fifth-generation, family-owned business, Smithville has been committed to delivering fast and reliable connectivity and legendary service to its customers for nearly a century. The company is well-known as an industry leader and community supporter for rural Indiana. Since the early 1990s, Smithville has constructed more than 2,800 miles of high-speed, high-capacity fiber across more than 22 Indiana counties, representing private investments totaling upward of a quarter of a billion dollars, including the recent completion of a $4.5 million, 100-gigabit fiber ring.
In addition to its residential services, Smithville provides commercial fiber-based connectivity for businesses, university campuses, biotechnology companies, healthcare providers, government offices, residential centers, communities, and other entities, including the WestGate@Crane Technology Park and the Purdue Research Park. The company currently serves about 23,000 businesses and residences in southern and central Indiana. For more information, please visit www.smithville.com.
