Dissatisfied with his internet service provider, a man decided to set up his own network: he is now competing with his former operator!

News JVTech Dissatisfied with his internet service provider, a man decided to set up his own network: he is now competing with his former operator!

A teleworking problem that goes very far

In the wake of the global pandemic, many service sector companies have been forced to reconsider their working models. If some of them have returned to the office “face-to-face”, a persistent alternative is emerging for employees: working from home, or teleworking. As you probably already know, this divisive option within employers offers the flexibility of working from almost anywhere. However, this freedom comes with several constraints, especially in terms of essential technological infrastructure linked to the specificities of teleworking. Very concretely, we think for example of a stable and fast internet connection.

The story we are going to tell you today starts from there. This story is that of Jared Mauch, a network architect who works at Akamaian American company specializing in providing cache servers for businesses. This resident commune rurale de Scio Township in the state of Michigan was already entitled to many days of teleworking… around twenty years ago. In 2002, faced with a 1.5 Mbps wired connection, Mauch began looking for a solution that would allow him to work remotely seamlessly.

As you can imagine, at the time, its options were limited: no Elon Musk’s Starlink, WiFi 7 or fiber optics. Comcast, the telecommunications giant, offered him an extension of service for an exorbitant fee of $50,000. Logically refusing this offer, Mauch used his knowledge to create his own Internet Service Provider (ISP), Washtenaw Fiber Properties LLC.

From a personal project to a successful business: Mauch competes with internet service providers in his region!

This courageous decision led to the construction of a fiber optic network in rural areas. As you can imagine, the possibilities offered by this new infrastructure have caused a lot of talk in the isolated region in which our protagonist lives. Initially skeptical, Mauch’s neighbors became his customers. Starting with an investment of $145,000, Jared Mauch created a successful business, serving 30 customers in 2021 and more than 70 in 2022. His service offers symmetrical speeds ranging up to 500 Mbps at competitive prices, providing a viable alternative to the residents of Scio Township.

Mauch’s project took on a new dimension thanks to federal support that helped fund his company’s expansion to 417 locations that included many of the surrounding rural areas. This initiative will offer symmetrical connections of 100 Mbps at $55 per month and 1 Gbps at $79 per month, making fast and reliable Internet access accessible to more people.

Although his company’s success is undeniable, Mauch remains faithful to his role as network architect at Akamai. This story reflects the ingenuity and determination needed to overcome the digital divide in rural areas. In France, more than 15% of the population are in a situation of so-called illiteracy. According to INSEE, in 2019, 15% of the French population over 15 years old did not have access to the internet. The most precarious populations, the oldest and those who live in the most remote regions of the country are the most affected.