UP Fiber has completed the acquisition of wireline assets from AT&T across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Mackinaw City, transferring more than 9,000 miles of network infrastructure and 40 wire centers into local ownership. The deal marks a significant shift in regional telecom control, placing critical connectivity infrastructure under a locally focused operator.
The transaction positions UP Fiber to modernize legacy copper and broadband infrastructure across a largely rural and underserved region. The company plans to invest in network upgrades aimed at improving service reliability and expanding broadband access for homes, businesses, schools, and healthcare providers. The combined footprint, supported through a partnership with MachTen, Inc. and its Michigan Broadband subsidiary, is expected to reach more than 200,000 passings over time.
AT&T will continue to provide transitional operational support, including billing and customer service, as UP Fiber integrates the acquired assets. The move reflects a broader industry trend of large incumbents divesting rural wireline networks while regional providers step in to deploy upgraded broadband infrastructure tailored to local demand.
- UP Fiber acquires 9,000+ miles of network infrastructure and 40 wire centers
- Transaction covers Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Mackinaw City
- Expansion targets more than 200,000 passings
- Focus on upgrading legacy infrastructure and expanding rural broadband access
- AT&T to provide transitional operational support during integration
- Partnership with MachTen, Inc. / Michigan Broadband to deliver services including voice, internet, and video
“This is an important moment for the Upper Peninsula,” said Dan Miller, CEO of UP Fiber. “We are excited to make the investments needed to improve service, expand capabilities, and strengthen access across the region.”
🌐 Analysis: For UP Fiber and MachTen, Inc., the acquisition creates a platform for long-term infrastructure investment in a region where broadband gaps persist. The success of this model will depend on execution—particularly the pace of fiber upgrades, integration of legacy systems, and ability to compete with fixed wireless and satellite alternatives in low-density markets.
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