Officials Believe Ultra High-Speed Internet Along the Beltline Could Drive Development

A portion of the Atlanta BeltLine is shown. Funding for the 22-mile path was secured in May 2022.

Credit: File photo

The city of Atlanta "Beltline" development may feature the fastest Internet speeds in the south.

City officials are considering laying fiber-optic cable along the 22-mile beltline project.

The fiber-optic cable, which carries light signals, can deliver Internet speeds up to 100 times faster than typical cable-delivered home service.

According to a report in the Atlanta Business Chronicle, The Beltline is an ambitious redevelopment, transforming historic railroad corridors circling downtown and connecting 45 neighborhoods with a network of public parks, multi-use trails and transit. Atlanta’s economic developers wants to drive commerce to the Beltline and hope high-speed Internet connectivity will lure tech, digital media and health care firms. Such businesses need to transfer large files electronically and stream high definition video and audio.

"The high-speed Internet access will support greater innovation and entrepreneurs," said Eloisa Klementich, director of business development with Invest Atlanta, the city’s economic development arm. "The key is at what price."