News Summary
Significant advancements are being made in broadband expansion across the United States, with major investments aimed at improving internet access in underserved areas. Companies like Brightspeed, Comcast, and Fidium are leading projects to enhance connectivity for homes and businesses. Brightspeed recently connected 10,000 locations in Beaufort, SC, while Comcast targets thousands in Indiana. Other providers, including GTA and GoNetspeed, are investing in fixed wireless and fiber services in various regions. These initiatives reflect a collective commitment to ensuring greater digital inclusion and faster internet connections for all.
Beaufort, South Carolina – Broadband expansion initiatives are advancing dramatically across the United States with substantial investments aimed at enhancing internet access for homes and businesses. Notable players in this industry, including Brightspeed, Comcast, Fidium, GTA, GoNetspeed, Metronet, RightFiber, and United Communications, have launched multiple projects and received significant funding to improve connections in various states. These initiatives are particularly focused on underserved and rural regions, thereby fostering greater digital inclusion.
Brightspeed has recently connected 10,000 homes and businesses in and around Beaufort, South Carolina, with ambitious plans to reach over 16,500 locations as part of a broader effort to extend its fiber network across the state. The company has received funding exceeding $3.8 million to connect nearly 5,200 locations, and ultimately aims to make broadband accessible to over 50,000 locations throughout South Carolina.
In addition to Brightspeed’s initiatives, Comcast is constructing a new broadband network in Indiana, targeting more than 10,000 residents and businesses across several counties including Fayette, Rush, Delaware, Boone, Shelby, Morgan, and Miami. This project is backed by a multi-million-dollar investment in partnership with the state’s Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program, which has committed $350 million for broadband enhancements across Indiana.
Fidium has also made strides by expanding its fiber broadband services into new areas of Maine and New Hampshire. The service now reaches Winterport, Maine, catering to over 2,200 homes and businesses. Currently, Fidium serves access to over 360,000 homes and businesses in Maine and is set to launch internet services in Pittsfield, New Hampshire, enhancing accessibility to an additional 3,000 homes and businesses.
In Guam, GTA has introduced “Air Fiber,” utilizing Tarana’s technology to provide fixed wireless access. This service has reached over 30,000 homes and businesses, offering internet speeds of up to 500 Mbps to residents previously reliant on slower copper networks.
GoNetspeed is expanding its reach into Rhode Island, including plans to bring internet service to Newport, marking its tenth state of operation. This initiative is supported by $13 million in funding and aims to connect more than 8,200 homes and businesses to fiber internet, providing speeds of up to 2 Gbps beginning construction in fall 2025.
Meanwhile, Metronet has plans to launch fiber service in Prescott Valley, Arizona, through an $18.5 million investment, which will allow residents to access internet services at speeds up to 5 Gbps.
In Dyersburg, Tennessee, RightFiber is expanding its network through a $4.2 million investment, with expected completion by summer 2025. United Communications is also enhancing its fiber network in Franklin, Tennessee, with plans to connect an additional 3,000 homes and businesses and deliver speeds of up to 8 Gbps.
Across North Carolina, Brightspeed is leveraging $31.2 million from the state’s CAB program to connect an additional 18,000 locations. Currently, Brightspeed has over 430,000 families and businesses connected in North Carolina, targeting a total of 899,000 locations through ongoing investments and grants. The company has secured more than $270 million in broadband grants and funding to bolster its services across 14 states.
Additionally, the RDOF initiative allocates $20.4 billion over the next decade for broadband access in rural parts of the United States. Local funding initiatives, such as a contribution of $4 million from Beaufort County, further emphasize the commitment to improving broadband access at a community level.
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Additional Resources
- Lightwave Online: Building Broadband in Beaufort, SC
- Wikipedia: Broadband access in the United States
- PR Newswire: Brightspeed Wins $31.2M for NC Broadband
- Google Search: Broadband expansion initiatives
- BBC Mag: Brightspeed Network Build
- Google Scholar: Broadband access in North Carolina
- Light Reading: Brightspeed Fiber Network Update
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fiber Internet
- Washington Daily News: Broadband in Beaufort County
- Google News: Broadband initiatives USA
