ACD was founded as ACD Computers in 1986 by Kevin Schoen. ACD built and sold their own computer systems through the 1990s. In 1994 ACD became an Internet Service Provider, selling dial-up, hosting and other Internet Services. ACD Telecom, Inc., which is part of ACD obtained CLEC license in early 2000. ACD then deployed equipment into 7 Central Offices in the Lansing and Jackson Michigan markets, and started providing facilities based DSL, T1, Fiber and Phone Services. The company has since expanded to most of Lower Michigan.
Distributed Antenna System and Fiber Optic Network
ACD owns a Midwest fiber optic and distributed antenna system (DAS). This system serves businesses and residential customers. This network offers gigabit Ethernet service to businesses. Fiber optic service is 50 to 100 times faster than cable modem service and DSL.
The next generation of broadband consists of fiber optic cable deployed to business and residential customers.
ACD was provided with a US$750,000 grant by the Housing and Urban Development under a test project to deploy Wifi Service covering a 8-square-mile (21 km2) area in Springfield, Michigan. As part of the agreement, ACD was required to provide subsidized internet access for a period of 3 years after the deployment, which was completed in spring of 2009.
This project was created to increase broadband speeds. Local tech firms working with local and state governments can create Midwest Gigabit Cities. Over 1,100 communities applied for the Google Fiber network (creating gigabit cities). It was first turned on in Kansas City in 2012, and expanded to Provo Utah in January 2014.[4]