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Watch Communications, Microsoft to expand broadband in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois

Microsoft and Watch Communications are working together to increase broadband access in Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana.

The partnership is part of the Microsoft Airband Initiative, focused on extending broadband access to three million people in rural America by July 2022. 

Microsoft says more than 160 million across the U.S. are not using internet at broadband speeds including 17 million people living in those three states.

Watch Communications plans to improve coverage in most counties in Ohio, 50 counties in Indiana, and 22 counties in Illinois under coverage. 

Ohio: Federal Communications Commission (FCC) maps show that more than 620,000 people in Ohio don’t have access to broadband and Microsoft data shows nearly 7 million people are not using the internet at broadband speeds in the state. This partnership is expected to cover more than 2.5 million people.

Indiana: FCC maps show that more than 670,000 people in Indiana don’t have access to broadband and Microsoft data shows more than 4.3 million people are not using the internet at broadband speeds in the state. This partnership is expected to cover more than 1 million Hoosiers.

Illinois: FCC maps show that more than 680,000 people in Illinois don’t have access to broadband and Microsoft data shows more than 6.6 million people are not using the internet at broadband speeds in the state. This partnership is expected to cover more than 275,000 people.