LOGAN – A Logan-based internet provider has recently secured $50 million in funding to improve online access throughout Cache Valley. Wi-Fiber founder and CEO Michael Crapse is excited about his company’s new opportunities to expand a hybrid wireless fiber service into Cache Valley’s harder-to-reach rural areas.
“Our intention is to try and make this valley grow and have access to internet,” says Crapse. “I mean, in my mind, it’s really as necessary as water. And I just want to make sure that the residents can feel that in our endeavors and in what we’re trying to do here.”
Crapse says he approached close to 2,000 investors and funding groups before finding the right partnership with Metropolitan Partners Group Management. He credits Bob Winder and Logan Growth Advisors for helping to make the connection.
The funding allows Wi-Fiber to expand its infrastructure, improve services, and pursue growth in Northern Utah and Southern Idaho. Crapse says it’s his hope that his company can reach every nook and cranny while resolving every single “internet injustice” in the valley due to tricky terrain.
“The reason why we’re called Wi-Fiber,” he explains, “is because we’re able to provide fiber-like latencies, so super low latencies, super quality connections over the wireless versus just the fiber. So we can get you fiber-like speeds at wireless prices.”
Founded in 2017, Wi-Fiber is also working with Bear River Association of Governments (BRAG) to provide vouchers to low-income households, as well as providing free internet service to several non-profit organizations in the area.
“We’re trying to work with BRAG and Utah’s Broadband Director’s Office,” Crapse adds, “to make sure we’re deploying that capital as much as possible here, as much as we can.”
Wi-Fiber receives multiple Best of Northern Utah awards
In addition to individual home owners, the company works with apartment complexes, homeowners associations and local municipalities to provide wireless, broadband and even fiber access. They recently partnered with Providence City to provide fiber access to more than 30% of its residents.
Crapse credits the great community and people’s willingness to work together to create better internet options in their neighborhoods. Sometimes it may require that equipment be installed on someone’s roof to provide service for an entire neighborhood.
“There shouldn’t be a business deal or a contract done where both sides don’t benefit,” Crapse explains. “So I never believe that there’s a winner and loser in every argument or in every transaction, there should be a winner on both sides. And that’s really, truly my belief is that everything has to be win/win or win/win/win for us to even want to contribute.”
The company currently employs approximately 20 people in Cache Valley with expectations to grow to 40-60 employees within the next year, with operations also located in Arizona and California. Wi-Fiber has been recognized as the top internet service provider fours years in a row in the Best of Northern Utah contest.