Astound completes 108-mile underground fiber build along Oregon’s Highway 6

TILLAMOOK, Ore. (UI) — Astound Broadband has finished constructing a 108-mile underground fiber route along Highway 6, delivering high-speed internet access to rural areas of Tillamook County for the first time.

The new fiber line runs from a submarine cable landing station near Pacific City to Hillsboro, passing through Tillamook. The route, built entirely underground, brings service to more than 270 homes and is part of a broader effort supported in part by Amazon Web Services' investment in the Bifrost submarine cable system.

The build-out enables fiber-based internet along a stretch of highway that previously had little or no connectivity. Installations are already underway, and Astound plans to expand service throughout 2025, according to Matt Updenkelder, the company’s vice president of infrastructure development in Oregon.

“Bringing high-speed fiber internet to the rural Highway 6 corridor is a significant milestone, as it provides much needed connectivity for underserved area residents and sets a foundation for other organizations and agencies to further expand,” Updenkelder said. “This build is an example of how investments in a submarine cable system can bring vastly improved connectivity to nearby areas. It is also testament to hard work and perseverance, as our crews encountered extremely rocky and difficult terrain along much of the route, in the process of completing all the underground construction.”

Among the first residents to benefit from the new service is Nicole Martinez, who lives with her family in Gales Creek. Previously, the family relied on unreliable satellite service, including hardware installed in a tree to attempt signal reception.

“This is amazing and life-changing,” Martinez said. “Working and studying from home is now a breeze and all five of us in the household are connected on multiple devices, with no interruptions.”

AWS, which helped fund the submarine cable connection supporting the fiber route, said the project reflects its commitment to rural communities.

"Reliable internet access is essential for rural communities to thrive in today's digital age,” said Courtney Lee, senior manager of public policy at AWS. “Our collaboration with local leaders and Astound Broadband aims to support bridging the digital divide in the Tillamook area and along Highway 6."

Though the project does not include new cellular towers, Verizon noted that the improved fiber infrastructure could support future wireless expansion. A portion of the fiber line will be managed by Tillamook Lightwave, a partnership between local utility and government entities, which is expected to boost network reliability and capacity in the region.

“Rural Tillamook County residents in the Highway 6 corridor will be able to access the same levels of reliable, high-speed connectivity that larger communities have come to expect,” said Tillamook County Commissioner Erin Skaar.

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