At DigitalC, our mission has always been clear: to bridge the digital divide - for good. On the journey toward fulfilling that mission, we have now surpassed a major milestone — connecting more than 6,000 households to our next-generation network.
From Humble Beginnings to Big Milestones
It wasn’t long ago that Cleveland was widely cited as one of the most digitally underserved major cities. But since launching our citywide broadband initiative in January 2024, DigitalC has sought to flip that narrative. We did more than build infrastructure — we paired affordable home internet with digital skills training and long-term support.
By April 2025, we had hit 4,000 connections. In late June, we surpassed 5,000. And on September 8, we welcomed our 6,000th customer — Aaliyah Cashdollar, a Clark Fulton resident and parent of two young students in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD).
A Celebration at Home
When Aaliyah’s installation date arrived, DigitalC turned it into a moment of joy. Our team surprised her and her family with a live jazz band, balloons, gifts, and a warm welcome from our CEO, Joshua Edmonds. Neighbors gathered. Music played. It was more than a service activation — it was a celebration of connection and community.
For Aaliyah, the timing couldn’t have been better. As a student at Cuyahoga Community College studying to become a home inspector, she deeply understands the importance of reliable access. Meanwhile, her sons’ school curriculum depends on home internet and digital access.
Thanks to the CMSD partnership, students in qualifying families receive service at no cost — with free access through their graduation. For others, DigitalC offers the same high-quality service for $18/month.
Why This Matters
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Saving money for families: Where traditional ISPs might charge upwards of $70/month for comparable speeds, DigitalC’s model dramatically reduces cost. We estimate we’re saving Clevelanders roughly $3 million per year in internet expenses.
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Changing perceptions: We’re helping shift Cleveland’s reputation — from being “least connected” to a model for digital inclusion and advancement.
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Scalable, impactful model: With partnerships across public, private, and philanthropic sectors, we’ve aligned around a vision of equity, access, and community uplift.
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Innovative tech deployment: We employ next-generation fixed wireless access (ngFWA) technology from Tarana Wireless — bringing Silicon Valley’s best to our neighborhoods with speed, reliability, and efficiency.
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Growing faster than expected: Our 2025 goal was to connect 4,700 households — and we are collectively working hard to achieve this goal. We’re setting our sights on 7,000 next, and beyond.
Looking Ahead: 23,500 Households by 2028
Our roadmap is bold. By 2028, we plan to bring affordable high-speed internet to 23,500 households across Cleveland. Each milestone — 7,000, 10,000, 15,000, and so on — is not about numbers but about people, families, students, and neighborhoods that were previously on the wrong side of the digital line.
We're grateful for every family, every community partner, every team member, and every volunteer who’s helped make this possible. This is your win too.
As we celebrate 6,000 connections, we stay grounded in purpose: to connect more, reach deeper, and uplift further. Onward to 7,000 — and beyond.
2 min read
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Oct 3, 2025
