Frustrated with poor internet service and sky-high prices, two Michigan residents decided to take matters into their own hands by creating Prime-One, a community-driven fiber internet provider.

Samuel Herman and Alexander Baciu, brothers-in-law with backgrounds in construction, were tired of dealing with Comcast’s unreliable service and expensive plans. Having worked in telecommunications infrastructure, they understood the technical challenges and saw an opportunity to provide better internet for their local community.

Their startup, Prime-One, offers symmetrical gigabit internet starting at $75 per month with no contracts, unlimited data, and free installation. What sets them apart is their commitment to underground fiber optic infrastructure and local customer support, featuring 15 local employees who can provide face-to-face assistance.

Starting in Saline, Michigan, they’ve already built fiber networks to about 1,500 homes and plan to expand to 4,000 homes in the near future. Their initial customer base has been enthusiastic, with over 100 residents signing up and more eagerly awaiting service.

The founders were inspired by other community-driven internet projects and consulted with Jared Mauch, another local entrepreneur who built his own rural internet service. By leveraging their construction expertise and local knowledge, Herman and Baciu are proving that community-driven tech solutions can challenge big telecom monopolies.

Comcast has taken notice, reportedly calling Prime-One’s customers and offering discounted rates to prevent losing market share. However, the local response suggests people are hungry for alternatives to traditional internet providers.

As big telecom continues to struggle with customer satisfaction, grassroots internet services like Prime-One represent a promising model of community-driven technology infrastructure.