Arizona took another big step toward closing the digital divide this week. Today, eX² Technology, a Vivacity company, announced a new agreement with Cox Communications, in collaboration with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), to expand high-speed internet access along the I-17 corridor.

The agreement allows Cox to lease 141 miles of dark fiber along I-17 through a 20-year Indefeasible Right of Use (IRU) agreement. This fiber segment will play a pivotal role in supporting an E-rate program project that connects schools and libraries along the corridor, extending educational opportunities to students in rural communities.

Why This Agreement Matters

Governor Katie Hobbs described the announcement as “a key milestone in putting affordable, reliable internet within reach of more Arizona families and communities.” For families in rural areas, high-speed internet isn’t just a convenience; it’s essential for education, economic growth and access to healthcare and government services.

By leveraging ADOT’s existing infrastructure, Arizona is accelerating its ConnectAllAZ initiative, which seeks to deliver historic investments into broadband access. This middle-mile expansion ensures that local internet service providers can reach underserved communities with last-mile connectivity.

As part of the agreement, Cox will expand its network into Black Canyon City, connecting 1,700 residential households along with a local school, public library, post office, and area businesses.

This isn’t the first step forward. In July 2025, eX² Technology announced its first dark fiber agreement with Wecom Fiber. With today’s Cox Communications partnership, Arizona continues to demonstrate how public-private collaboration can maximize federal and state broadband investments. The larger picture includes ADOT’s statewide fiber network covering I-17, I-19, and the ongoing 202-mile project along I-40W. More than $140 million in federal funding has been allocated to Arizona’s Statewide Middle-Mile Program, which collaborates closely with complementary programs such as BEAD, E-Rate, and Digital Equity to ensure that rural communities benefit from these investments.

Kyle Hildebrand, CRO at eX², highlighted the bigger vision: “This agreement with Cox not only helps bring high-speed broadband to schools and communities that need it most—it also underscores our shared commitment to closing the digital divide, expanding access, and building a more connected future for Arizonans.”

To read the entire announcement, click here: https://ex2technology.com/ex2cox-iru-agreement

To learn more about available dark fiber along ADOT’s right of way, visit eX² Technology.

For updates on ADOT’s broadband efforts, visit ADOT Broadband.