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In a significant leap forward for broadband connectivity and startup innovation, Dayton Photonics Systems LLC and MetaLINK Technologies have successfully bridged the digital divide—literally and figuratively—by installing high-speed, fiberless optical technology across the Auglaize River in northwest Ohio.
On June 17, the two companies achieved a first-of-its-kind deployment of Theia fiberless optics, developed by Dayton Photonics, into MetaLINK’s commercial wireless network. Installed atop existing communications towers, the Theia units created a 10 Gbps wireless laser link spanning nearly three-quarters of a mile across a waterway that had long challenged traditional broadband infrastructure and an active railroad.
For MetaLINK Technologies, a Defiance-based wireless internet service provider (WISP), connecting towers across the Auglaize River had historically been an infrastructure headache. Physical fiber runs were impractical, and wireless alternatives hadn’t delivered the bandwidth or reliability needed to serve customers on both sides of the divide.
Enter Dayton Photonics Systems—a deep tech startup and Entrepreneurs’ Center client with roots in the Dayton innovation ecosystem and a vision for a fiberless future.
“Just like the wired technologies that went wireless, we are now taking fiber technology fiberless,” said Dr. Emily Fehrman Cory, CEO of Dayton Photonics Systems LLC. “We were thrilled to see our Theia fiberless optics contribute to MetaLINK Technologies’s mission of providing exceptional connectivity and setting a new standard for resilient, high-speed broadband.”
The Theia units use advanced free-space laser communication to deliver ultra-high bandwidth, ultra-low latency, and unmatched resiliency. These capabilities are ideal for addressing “last mile” and “middle mile” infrastructure gaps, especially in rural and geographically difficult areas.
What makes this deployment so noteworthy is its real-world, tower-based integration into a live network. It’s not a lab demo. It’s now part of MetaLINK’s infrastructure—and it’s working.
“The Auglaize River had long been a barrier to efficiently connecting these two critical tower locations with the bandwidth we needed,” said Phil Maag, CEO of MetaLINK Technologies. “The ability to establish a redundant 10 Gbps link between our towers using Dayton Photonics’ Theia units solved a critical infrastructure problem for us.”
This collaboration is more than a technical milestone—it’s a model for how regional partnerships can advance innovation and improve quality of life. It’s the story of a startup with a cutting-edge technology teaming up with a WISP rooted in its community to solve a real problem, fast.
For Dayton Photonics, it’s a breakthrough validation of their product in a live commercial environment. For MetaLINK, it’s a bold investment in next-gen tech to better serve rural Ohio.
For the broadband industry? It might just signal a new way to think about the future of connectivity.
About MetaLINK Technologies
MetaLINK Technologies is a locally owned and operated Internet Service Provider (“ISP”) that has been serving customers since 1996. They proudly provide High-Speed Internet, Fiber Transport, Co-location, Web Hosting, and Hosted Phone Services and systems to businesses and households. As one of the Top 20 Independent ISPs in the Nation, their goal is to offer fast, reliable Internet access and professional world class technical support to keep customers’ connection running smoothly in Northwest Ohio, Northeast Indiana, and Southern Michigan. They are active community members, continuing to reach out and help build on the strength of
their hometowns.
About Dayton Photonics
Dayton Photonics is a deep tech company revolutionizing optical wireless communications with its high-performance, fiberless broadband solutions. Headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, the company designs and manufactures Theia™, a free-space optics platform that delivers fiber-grade speed, security, and reliability, without the need for physical cables. Developed by a team of experts in photonics, aerospace, and defense technologies, Dayton Photonics’ solutions are engineered for real-world deployment in enterprise, telecom, defense, and smart city applications. With roots in the Midwest innovation ecosystem, the company is committed to bridging digital divides and accelerating access to resilient, next-generation connectivity. Learn more at Dayton Photonics.
About Entrepreneurs’ Center
The Entrepreneurs’ Center (EC) is a modern economic development organization that powers progress and prosperity through entrepreneurship. Annually, the EC works with over 1,000 entrepreneurs to start and grow companies, create jobs, generate revenue, and attract investment. The EC empowers main street and technology businesses through complementary professional services, including business planning, mentoring, training, networking, commercialization, and capital investment. The EC’s talented and experienced team of advisors, entrepreneurs-in-residence, and staff design and facilitate diverse, world-class business acceleration programs on behalf of corporations, higher education institutions, and government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Defense, from their headquarters at The Hub Powered by PNC Bank in the historic Dayton Arcade. Learn more at EC Innovates.
For More Information, Contact:
Leslie Klenke, Director of Marketing
Entrepreneurs’ Center
[email protected]
