Astound to build $34 million fiber-optic network in Orland Park, Ill.
(UI) — Astound Broadband has begun a $34 million project to extend 285 miles of underground fiber-optic cable across Orland Park and nearby suburbs, the company said June 24.
When finished in late 2026, the buildout will give more than 19,000 homes and nearly 4,000 businesses access to symmetrical internet speeds of up to 5 Gbps.
Construction starts this month. Astound expects its fiber-to-the-home service to reach the first households in August and roughly 10,000 addresses by the end of 2025. The privately funded project, divided into five construction zones, is Astound’s first fully underground deployment in the Chicago market and expands on a 2023 build in Blue Island.
“Orland Park is a vibrant community whose residents deserve access to the highest levels of reliable connectivity and support that Astound’s growing fiber network provides,” said Joe Bell, Astound vice president and general manager for Illinois and Indiana. He added that placing the lines underground should limit construction disruptions.
The network will replace existing 4 kV lines with a 16 kV system, enabling faster uploads for remote workers, low-latency gaming and 4K streaming, company officials said. Astound plans to staff a kiosk at Orland Square Mall through September and has posted construction updates at astound.com/orlandpark.
“Astound’s fiber optic network is uniquely suited to provide the Orland Park area with a flexible and reliable platform that addresses rapidly evolving needs for businesses of all sizes,” said Patrick Knorr, chief commercial officer for Astound Business Solutions.
Dan McMillan, president of the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce, called the investment “a substantial base of fiber optic infrastructure” that will benefit local residents and enterprises.
Astound’s total commitment in the southwest Chicago suburbs, including Blue Island and Orland Park, now stands at $58 million and 663 miles of fiber. The company will operate and maintain the new network once construction is completed.
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