
A fiber optics network provider, Bandwidth IG, has announced an Atlanta network expansion to include Henry County. The company provides purpose-built fiber for data centers.
Bandwidth IG Fiber Expansion
Bandwidth IG announced in January they will be doubling the size of their Atlanta network. They are adding 170 route miles, bringing their total to more than 330 route miles in Georgia. Their network today is located in Clayton, Douglas, Fayette and Fulton Counties. BIG’s expansion will deliver fiber infrastructure to additional counties, including Rockdale, Newton, Henry, DeKalb and Butts Counties.
The company’s press release has more:
Bandwidth IG (BIG), a rapidly growing provider of purpose-built fiber infrastructure, is innovating beyond legacy networks with new AI-ready infrastructure in the Greater Atlanta area. Atlanta has emerged as one of the largest data center markets in North America, and BIG’s recently launched fiber expansion will play a critical role in the growth.
The additions to BIG’s Greater Atlanta network will double its fiber footprint, adding 170 route miles, bringing the total to more than 330 route miles in Georgia. Major investments in digital infrastructure, including innovation hubs and data center campuses, are expanding further outside of the major downtown business district, creating a critical need for digital infrastructure services in more areas. BIG’s expansion will deliver AI-ready fiber infrastructure to additional counties, including Rockdale, Newton, Henry, Dekalb, and Butts Counties. The investment densifies BIG’s existing network in Clayton, Douglas, Fayette, and Fulton Counties. This unprecedented project adds essential middle-mile connectivity to these emerging areas that will benefit local economies for decades to come.
“Enterprises and hyperscalers are making large investments in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and other data-intensive technologies that are transforming our lives at work and at home. BIG will continue to be an agile dark fiber provider that empowers our customers to deliver new technologies in Georgia along with our additional markets,” said Bruce Garrison, CEO of BIG.
As Atlanta’s tech ecosystem continues to thrive, businesses and communities stand to benefit significantly from improved dark fiber infrastructure. Increasing access to best-in-class fiber infrastructure continues to be a driver of economic growth. Construction of BIG’s network expansion is underway with the first segment expected to be complete by Q3 2025. BIG’s ongoing investment will further solidify Greater Atlanta as a global leader in technology and innovation.
BIG has been serving Greater Atlanta with purpose-built, new 100% underground fiber infrastructure since the launch of its network in 2019. Upon completion of this announced expansion, BIG’s fiber network will serve over 30 data center campuses across 10 counties.
Bandwidth IG press release, January 17, 2025.
Other details, such as the exact location of the new fiber lines, was not immediately available.
Data Center Market in Atlanta
The company’s fiber network announcement occurs as the Atlanta market continues to see proposals for new data centers. This month, Amazon announced they will invest $11 billion into new centers in Butts and Douglas Counties. In addition, the tech company purchased property in Covington last year for an expected data center. Additional proposals have emerged this month in Coweta and Newton Counties.
Here in Henry County, three projects are actively being considered. The Henry Reporter first shared information last year about two projects considering Rocky Creek Road and Simpson Mill Road. Most recently, a public notice advised of a potential project in Hampton. That site is located along Georgia 20.
For those unfamiliar with data centers, they are essentially large buildings which house computer equipment. They are often located in buildings resembling industrial uses, but they can also be in converted office or retail space. Global tech companies, such as Amazon, Google and Facebook, depend on data centers to store websites and power search results. The introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has created a major uptick in projected data center demand.
The growing number of data centers, and the electricity they use, has more and more residents concerned about their impact. Georgia Speaker of the House Jon Burns has announced a study committee to further explore the topic. Last week, the Georgia Public Services Commission approved a new rule allowing Georgia Power to charge data centers more on their energy bill. The rule is intended to better protect residents from having to absorb higher costs. Finally, Georgia Power will publish its updated long-term plan on Friday. The plan update will take into account the additional demand generated by data centers.
Featured image shows an Amazon data center. VPM News photo.