The Cleveland Model in motion: Nearly 7,000 homes connected, 17,000 residents online, 85% to goal.
Nearly two years into Cleveland’s citywide broadband initiative, DigitalC has reported nearly 7,000 homes and more than 17,000 residents—already 85% of its 2025 goal.
As families face rising costs and uncertainty surrounds federal programs, Cleveland’s model proves what community-driven broadband can do—offering $18/month high-speed home internet and no-cost service for Cleveland Metropolitan School District families.
“In the least-connected city in America, every household we connect is a victory,” said DigitalC Chief Executive Officer Joshua Edmonds. “Cleveland’s model is working because it brings everyone—residents, council, and partners—to the same table.”
Backed by support from City of Cleveland, City Council, the State of Ohio, and partners including the Mandel, Myers, and Gund Foundations, Microsoft, and Google, DigitalC is bridging the divide—for good.
On October 2, we welcomed BroadbandOhio—part of the Ohio Department of Development—to Cleveland to officially certify our next-generation broadband network.
Supported by a $10 million investment through BroadbandOhio, this milestone marks the completion of Cleveland’s citywide network buildout. The project stands as proof of what public investment in local innovation can achieve.
DigitalC presented a commemorative plaque to BroadbandOhio’s Peter Voderberg and challenge coins to the state's representatives and the general contractors who helped build the network. This event recognized the rapid, 18-month deployment that turned policy into progress.
Cleveland’s next-generation broadband network now delivers service to nearly 7,000 homes througout the city.
17,000+
More than 17,000 Clevelanders are now connected through Canopy, DigitalC’s $18-per-month high-speed home internet service.
19,000+
Across the city, Click has facilitated over 19,000 trainings for 15,000+ residents—helping Clevelanders turn access into opportunity.
Powering progress: Detroit residents connect with Canopy, Powered by Connect313
This October, DigitalC and Merit Network joined the Detroit Housing Commission for two resident engagement events—Digital Inclusion Week (10/10) and the Pink Out Harvest Fest (10/24)—as part of a pilot program bringing three years of free, high-speed home internet to families at Diggs Homes, Brewster, and Forest Park Place.
These events are helping Detroit residents adopt the internet service and gain the access, agency, and opportunity that come with being connected—empowering families to learn, work, and thrive online.
This effort is made possible through a coalition of partners led by the Rocket Community Fund, with support from Microsoft, the City of Detroit, the Detroit Housing Commission, Merit Network, and Wayne State University.
The DigitalC team brought the energy for CMSD’s At-Ten-Dance — celebrating Attendance Awareness Month and the power of showing up every day, ready to learn.
This campaign is a reminder that attendance drives achievement, and that removing barriers like access to and affordability of home internet is essential to student success.
Through our partnership with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, we are delivering high-speed home internet at no cost to families — ensuring scholars can thrive in school and parents can stay connected through the Electronic Gradebook.
Partnerships like this show how schools, communities, and technology providers can work together to close the digital divide and create the conditions for success.
Recently, DigitalC joined more than 2,500 broadband leaders and 200 innovators at WISPAPALOOZA 2025—a national forum shaping the future of connectivity. As a Triumph Award finalist, DigitalC showcased The Cleveland Model and how community-driven broadband can deliver measurable impact.
World Communication Awards 2025
DigitalC has been shortlisted for the Social Contribution Award at the World Communication Awards 2025, honoring organizations driving meaningful connectivity worldwide.
Winners will be announced December 9 in London, recognizing broadband leaders driving digital access and equity.
