Low-cost internet service provider Starry closes its Columbus service less than two years after entering the market.
The Boston-based company notified customers this week that it will soon stop serving central Ohio.
“It is especially difficult to tell you today that Starry will begin discontinuing its Internet services in the Columbus, Ohio market beginning this spring,” Starry wrote to customers. “We will contact you to provide a more specific date for the termination of your Starry service. For now, you do not need to do anything.”
Starry launched the Columbus service in the summer of 2021, offering internet access for just $25 per month before converting to the standard $50 per month price.
Columbus was Starry’s sixth market and first in the Midwest, following Boston, New York, Washington, Denver and Los Angeles. The company said it will close the Columbus market to focus on others.
“Exiting the Columbus market was a difficult decision that we did not take lightly,” Starry CEO Chet Kanojia said in the release.
“Every community deserves strong competition and choice among broadband providers, and Starry’s goal was to bring a high-quality, affordable option to families throughout Columbus. I’m proud of how we built our team and the impact we’ve made in Columbus neighborhoods. However, our business is evolving, and in a challenging macroeconomic environment, we’ve had to make some tough choices .The decision to leave Columbus will allow us to continue investing in our five metropolitan areas and further expand our footprint and customer base in these locations.
Starry said it will begin removing Columbus service in March and end in June. The company said customers will be notified when they lose service and offered the option to switch to another provider.
“We don’t recommend specific providers, but our customer service team is equipped to help our customers identify which other providers can serve their location and can facilitate the transition from Starry,” said company spokeswoman Mimi Ryals.
Starry did not identify the number of customers in Columbus as more than “thousands,” but said its network reached more than 350,000 Columbus homes.
For more detailed information about the company’s decision, customers were directed to the Starry blog.
@JimWeiker
