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."

The city of Atlanta "