Zeta Broadband Joins Southern Tier Network to Bring Affordable Fiber Internet to Rural Communities
Binghamton, NY – Aug 18th, 2025 – Zeta Broadband, Inc. is proud to announce a new partnership with Southern Tier Network (STN), joining their Open Access Fiber Network to bring fast, reliable, and affordable internet service to families and small businesses across the Southern Tier.
Earlier this year, STN was awarded an $18.2 million grant through Empire State Development’s ConnectALL Municipal Infrastructure Program. This investment will help build more than 200 miles of fiber optic infrastructure across Steuben, Schuyler, Chemung, Tioga, and Tompkins Counties, connecting over 4,200 homes and businesses that have long struggled with limited internet access.
“Zeta Broadband is excited to partner with Southern Tier Network to help make this vision a reality,” said William Burnett, CEO of Zeta Broadband. “With XGS-PON fiber technology, we’ll be able to deliver the kind of high-speed connections that families and businesses need today—whether it’s for school, healthcare, remote work, or simply staying connected.”
What This Means for the Community
Through this partnership, Zeta Broadband will offer:
- High-Speed Fiber Internet – Symmetrical service with equal upload and download speeds, perfect for streaming, video calls, and remote learning.
- Business-Grade Services – Dedicated internet access for local businesses, municipalities, and community organizations.
- Affordable Options – Service plans designed to help ensure that cost isn’t a barrier to connectivity.
The STN expansion will make a big difference for areas that have been left behind by traditional providers—places with high rural poverty, older populations, and families living with disabilities. By connecting these homes and businesses, the project will open new doors for education, jobs, healthcare, and economic growth.
About Zeta Broadband, Inc.
Founded in 2006, Zeta Broadband is based in Rancho Murieta, California, but its leadership has deep roots in New York. CEO William Burnett grew up in Galway, NY, giving him a personal connection to the region.
Zeta Broadband is no newcomer to rural connectivity. With its foundations as a Wireless Internet Service Provider, the company has been bridging the digital divide since its inception, bringing broadband to communities that were otherwise neglected by traditional providers. That same commitment now drives Zeta’s fiber expansion efforts in the Southern Tier.
“I know firsthand how important it is for rural communities to have the same opportunities as larger cities,” Burnett said. “This partnership is about more than broadband—it’s about giving families and small businesses the tools they need to thrive, right here in the Southern Tier.”
About Southern Tier Network (STN)
Southern Tier Network is a not-for-profit, open-access fiber optic network serving New York’s Southern Tier. By working with Internet Service Providers like Zeta Broadband, STN is bringing reliable, high-speed internet to communities that need it most—supporting education, healthcare, economic development, and stronger connections for all.
Learn More
Residents and businesses can check fiber availability in their area by visiting:
👉 https://zbbi.co/coverage/fiber.php