DENTON — Choptank Fiber, a new broadband provider and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Choptank Electric Cooperative, expects installation to begin in select areas for its members as early as this summer.

Boasting no data caps and true gigabit internet speed the service became possible last year following General Assembly approval of emergency legislation during the last day of a COVID-19 shortened session.

At the company meeting Aug. 13 the vote was overwhelmingly in support of pursuing broadband service through member regulation.

The business plan is now finalized, and Choptank is reviewing existing fiber infrastructure and developing the technical specifications necessary to deliver broadband service.

Choptank Fiber’s goal is to install broadband one community at a time, by reinvesting monthly subscription revenue into developing the infrastructure for the next community, until the entirety of the rural Shore is served.

This year in Somerset County, the plan is to run fiber southeast from Choptank Electric’s Princess Anne substation and connect up to 310 unserved or underserved locations. Infill projects will start by 2025 and beyond.

Representatives of the new limited liability company provided an update to the Maryland General Assembly’s Eastern Shore Delegation last month.

“We are excited to begin installations this coming summer for the many members who are without adequate internet access,” said Mike Malandro, president and CEO of Choptank Electric Cooperative.

“Our plan is to reach our membership on the Eastern Shore in a 10-year period, but we are also aggressively pursuing grant funds at the federal and state levels to accelerate our deployment.”

“The board is proud to undertake this long-term project on behalf of the membership,” said Jeff Rathell, chairman and a Talbot County representative. “We know how important broadband is, not only to our members, but to the entire Eastern Shore.”

To learn more about Choptank Fiber visit www.choptankfiber.com.