ComEd Partners with QUILT to Help Bridge the Digital Divide on Chicago’s South and West Sides
ComEd has partnered with QUILT, an Illinois nonprofit, to expand affordable high-speed broadband access in Chicago's South and West Sides. QUILT will license reserve fiber optics on ComEd's system, supported by a $14.6 million grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and U.S. Department of Commerce. This initiative aims to bridge the digital divide in underserved communities, where up to 40% of households lack internet access.
QUILT, led by CEO Dwayne Douglas, will focus on deploying broadband infrastructure in North Lawndale, Woodlawn, and South Shore, offering internet speeds from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps. The project also includes digital literacy training, workforce development, and job placement services. ComEd's fiber optic investments support grid modernization while creating opportunities for third-party broadband expansion.
ComEd ha collaborato con QUILT, un'organizzazione no-profit dell'Illinois, per ampliare l'accesso economico a banda larga ad alta velocità nei lati Sud e Ovest di Chicago. QUILT licenzierà fibre ottiche riservate nel sistema di ComEd, sostenuta da una grants di 14,6 milioni di dollari della Legge Bipartisan Infrastructure e del Dipartimento del Commercio degli Stati Uniti. Questa iniziativa mira a colmare il divario digitale nelle comunità svantaggiate, dove fino al 40% delle famiglie non ha accesso a Internet.
QUILT, guidata dal CEO Dwayne Douglas, si concentrerà sulla distribuzione dell'infrastruttura per la banda larga in North Lawndale, Woodlawn e South Shore, offrendo velocità internet da 100 Mbps a 1 Gbps. Il progetto include anche servizi di formazione alla digitalizzazione, sviluppo della forza lavoro e collocamento lavorativo. Gli investimenti nelle fibre ottiche da parte di ComEd supportano la modernizzazione della rete, creando nel contempo opportunità per l'espansione della banda larga da parte di terzi.
ComEd se ha asociado con QUILT, una organización sin fines de lucro de Illinois, para ampliar el acceso asequible a banda ancha de alta velocidad en los lados Sur y Oeste de Chicago. QUILT licenciará fibra óptica reservada en el sistema de ComEd, respaldada por una de la Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructura y el Departamento de Comercio de EE. UU. Esta iniciativa tiene como objetivo cerrar la brecha digital en comunidades desatendidas, donde hasta el 40 % de los hogares carecen de acceso a internet.
QUILT, dirigido por el CEO Dwayne Douglas, se enfocará en desplegar infraestructura de banda ancha en North Lawndale, Woodlawn y South Shore, ofreciendo velocidades de internet de 100 Mbps a 1 Gbps. El proyecto también incluye servicios de capacitación en alfabetización digital, desarrollo de la fuerza laboral y colocación laboral. Las inversiones de ComEd en fibra óptica apoyan la modernización de la red mientras crean oportunidades para la expansión de la banda ancha de terceros.
ComEd는 일리노이주 비영리기관 QUILT와 협력하여 시카고 남부 및 서부 지역의 저렴한 고속 인터넷 접근성을 확대합니다. QUILT는 ComEd의 시스템에서 예약된 광섬유를 라이센스하고, 이는 1460만 달러의 보조금으로 지원됩니다. 이 이니셔티브는 서비스가 부족한 지역 사회에서 디지털 격차를 해소하는 것을 목표로 하며, 이 지역의 최대 40% 가구가 인터넷 접근이 없습니다.
CEO Dwayne Douglas가 이끄는 QUILT는 North Lawndale, Woodlawn, South Shore 지역에 광대역 인프라를 배포하는 데 집중하며, 100 Mbps에서 1 Gbps의 인터넷 속도를 제공합니다. 이 프로젝트는 또한 디지털 리터러시 교육, 인력 개발 및 직업 소개 서비스를 포함합니다. ComEd의 광섬유 투자로 인해 전력망 현대화가 지원되며 제3자의 광대역 확장을 위한 기회도 마련됩니다.
ComEd s'est associé à QUILT, une organisation à but non lucratif de l'Illinois, pour élargir l'accès abordable à la large bande à haut débit dans les quartiers Sud et Ouest de Chicago. QUILT va licencier des fibres optiques réservées sur le système de ComEd, soutenue par une subvention de 14,6 millions de dollars de la Loi bipartisane sur les infrastructures et du Département du Commerce des États-Unis. Cette initiative vise à réduire la fracture numérique dans les communautés mal desservies, où jusqu'à 40 % des ménages n'ont pas accès à Internet.
QUILT, dirigée par le PDG Dwayne Douglas, se concentrera sur le déploiement d'une infrastructure de large bande dans North Lawndale, Woodlawn et South Shore, offrant des vitesses Internet allant de 100 Mbps à 1 Gbps. Le projet comprend également des services de formation à la littératie numérique, de développement de la main-d'œuvre et de placement professionnel. Les investissements dans la fibre optique de ComEd soutiennent la modernisation du réseau tout en créant des opportunités pour l'expansion de la large bande par des tiers.
ComEd hat sich mit QUILT, einer gemeinnützigen Organisation aus Illinois, zusammengetan, um den erschwinglichen Zugang zu Hochgeschwindigkeits-Breitband in den südlichen und westlichen Gegenden von Chicago zu erweitern. QUILT wird reservierte Glasfaser in ComEds System lizenzieren, unterstützt durch einen 14,6-Millionen-Dollar-Zuschuss aus dem Bipartisan Infrastructure Law und dem U.S. Department of Commerce. Diese Initiative zielt darauf ab, die digitale Kluft in unterversorgten Gemeinschaften zu schließen, in denen bis zu 40 % der Haushalte keinen Internetzugang haben.
QUILT, geleitet von CEO Dwayne Douglas, wird sich auf den Ausbau der Breitbandinfrastruktur in North Lawndale, Woodlawn und South Shore konzentrieren und Internetgeschwindigkeiten von 100 Mbps bis 1 Gbps anbieten. Das Projekt umfasst auch Ausbildung zur digitalen Kompetenz, Entwicklung der Arbeitskräfte und Jobvermittlung Dienstleistungen. Die Investitionen von ComEd in Glasfaser unterstützen die Modernisierung des Stromnetzes und schaffen gleichzeitig Chancen für die Expansion von Drittanbietern im Breitbandbereich.
- ComEd received a $14.6 million grant to support broadband expansion
- Partnership with QUILT to provide affordable high-speed internet in underserved areas
- Opportunity for additional revenue through licensing of reserve fiber optics
- Grid modernization investments support renewable energy integration and reduce outages
- None.
Insights
This partnership between ComEd and QUILT represents a significant step towards bridging the digital divide in Chicago's underserved areas. By utilizing ComEd's existing fiber optic infrastructure, QUILT can potentially reduce deployment costs and accelerate broadband rollout. The initiative aligns with the $14.6 million federal grant ComEd received, showcasing a public-private collaboration to address connectivity issues.
The focus on providing speeds from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps is commendable, as it meets or exceeds the FCC's broadband definition. However, the long-term sustainability of this model and its potential for scalability to other areas will be important factors to monitor. The integration of digital literacy training and workforce development alongside broadband access is a holistic approach that could serve as a model for other initiatives nationwide.
This initiative targets a significant market opportunity in Chicago, where up to
For QUILT and NODE Networks, this represents a first-mover advantage in these communities. However, they may face challenges in customer acquisition and retention, given potential affordability issues in low-income areas. The inclusion of value-added services like digital literacy training and mental health support could be key differentiators in building a loyal customer base and driving long-term profitability.
While specific financial details are , this partnership leverages existing infrastructure investments by ComEd to create new revenue opportunities. The
For QUILT, as a nonprofit, the financial success will depend on balancing affordable pricing with operational sustainability. The partnership's ability to scale efficiently across multiple neighborhoods will be important for long-term viability. Investors should monitor customer acquisition costs, average revenue per user (ARPU) and churn rates in these new markets to assess the financial health and growth potential of this initiative.
Quilt to use reserve fiber on ComEd system to expand access to high-speed internet
“We are excited that our work to modernize our grid provides the added benefit of supporting efforts by QUILT and other companies to improve access to high-speed broadband and enable customers in underserved communities to harness the benefits of the digital age,” said Gil Quiniones, President and CEO of ComEd.
“We commend Quilt and ComEd on their plan to use reserve fiber on the ComEd system to increase access to high-speed internet service in
ComEd’s investments in advanced telemetry infrastructure, such as fiber optics, play a key role in modernizing the electrical grid to meet emerging challenges and customer needs. This includes expanding grid automation technologies, which automatically route power around problem areas, reducing the frequency and duration of outages. Fiber optics also plays a key role in managing the large-scale integration of renewable energy, including wind, solar and battery energy storage, onto the grid. While supporting current and future grid needs, ComEd’s conservative approach to the installation of fiber also creates this opportunity for third parties to license reserve fiber to expand broadband service.
Dwayne Douglas, CEO of the nonprofit QUILT, and CEO of NODE Networks, an ISP, has a long history of helping communities gain access to emerging technology, education, and critical services on Chicago’s South and West Sides. According to the Data Science Institute at the University of
"We are deeply committed to providing equitable access to essential digital services and workforce development opportunities," said Douglas. "In today's interconnected world, access to high-speed broadband is a fundamental necessity for economic and social empowerment. By increasing affordability and accessibility to broadband service, we are not only closing the digital divide but also unlocking opportunities for residents and businesses in these communities to thrive in the digital economy. Through workshops, seminars, hands-on training sessions, and job-focused initiatives, we will empower residents to become creators, innovators, and skilled professionals, harnessing the power of emerging technologies to drive positive change in their communities,” said Douglas.
QUILT’s immediate focus is to initiate deployment of high-speed broadband infrastructure in
About QUILT and Node Networks: QUILT is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to stimulating change in economically underserved areas to the benefit of residents and the community. NODE Networks works in alignment with QUILT to offers affordable internet in lower-income urban markets.
About ComEd: ComEd is a unit of
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Source: ComEd
FAQ
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