PORT ORFORD, OR - In a story of rural revival and technological advancement, Beacon Broadband reached a significant milestone in its mission to transform connectivity across Oregon's south coast. Thursday, March 20, the company celebrated its 5,000th customer connection, marking a pivotal achievement in bringing the high-speed fiber broadband experience to some of Oregon's most remote communities.
Born from the vision of Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative in 2020, Beacon Broadband set out to address a critical need: bringing fiber broadband to members in areas long overlooked by major telecommunications providers. The ambitious project is building a network that now stretches from Brookings northward through Gold Beach, Port Orford, and recently into the Langlois area, with expansion continuing northward in Coos County.
Prior to the official celebration, the Beacon team made a special visit to the home of their 5,000th customer, Joe Pestano, in Sixes, Oregon. His property sits on a scenic hillside overlooking the meandering Sixes River, with towering evergreens framing breathtaking views of the coastal landscape. During the visit, conversation revealed a remarkable historical connection that underscored the significance of the moment - the home had first received electricity from Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative about 80 years ago, and now, nearly a century later, the same cooperative through Beacon Broadband brought fiber connectivity to this very same property.
"What we've accomplished in just a few years is truly remarkable," said Bill Gerski, Vice President of Marketing & Sales. "We're distinguishing ourselves as the premier high-speed fiber provider by delivering benefits our competitors simply can't match—symmetrical speeds, stellar local customer service that genuinely understands our customers' needs, and our price for life guarantee. This isn't just about fiber broadband; it's about transforming the future of Oregon’s rural south coast."
The celebration at Mister Ed's in Port Orford brought together community leaders and partners who have supported this journey, including representatives from the Curry Chamber of Commerce, Calix, South Coast Development Council, the Port of Brookings Harbor, and Soroptimist of Gold Beach.
A highlight of the event was the recognition of Brent Bischoff, whose leadership has been instrumental in bringing the fiber network from concept to reality.
"This milestone belongs to our entire community," said Bischoff, upon receiving an award from the Beacon Broadband Leadership Team. "When we started this journey, some thought that rural areas like ours could not support advanced fiber infrastructure. Today, we're proving that not only is it possible, but it's transforming lives and creating new opportunities for economic prosperity throughout our service territory. I'm deeply honored by this recognition, but the real achievement is seeing our members connect to the world in ways they never could before."
The event also highlighted Beacon Broadband's award-winning Connected Senior Program, which is addressing the digital divide affecting older residents. According to research from the Pew Research Center's 2021 study on technology adoption among older adults, only 58% of Americans over 65 feel comfortable using electronic devices to go online, compared to 96% of those aged 18-29. Beacon Broadband's digital literacy initiatives are working to close this gap by providing seniors with both the connections and skills needed to benefit from the digital world.
As construction continues northward, Beacon Broadband remains committed to its founding purpose: ensuring that geographical location no longer determines Oregonians' access to world-class connectivity. For rural communities long accustomed to limited options and unreliable service, the high-speed fiber broadband experience is opening doors to telehealth, remote work, education, and economic opportunities previously out of reach.
The 5,000th connection represents not just a number, but a transformation taking hold across Oregon's south coast—one home, business, and community at a time.