County of Avery issued the following announcement on Sept. 1.
Spectrum today announced it has been awarded a North Carolina Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) Program grant of nearly $2.25 million to bring gigabit high-speed internet access to more than 230 homes and small businesses in Avery County. Combined with the state grant of nearly $2.25 million and a contribution from the County of $250,000, total project investment is nearly $2.65 million.
The GREAT grant is one of nine already awarded to Spectrum to expand fiber-optic broadband infrastructure to areas of the state that currently lack access to high-speed connections, and the company is awaiting review of 51 additional GREAT proposals that, if awarded, would bring broadband to an additional 71,000 homes and small businesses in 51 counties across North Carolina, which has the second-largest rural population of any state.
“All North Carolina communities, families and businesses need access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet,” said North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper. “This round of grants means more North Carolinians will be able to take advantage of opportunities to learn, work, access health care and connect to the world.”
“I’ve been a longtime champion of policies that expedite broadband deployment to unserved communities, including support for the NC GREAT Grant program,” said state Sen. Ralph Hise. “Charter has an expansive footprint in our state and, as a result, will be able to quickly deploy broadband in Avery County to those who currently lack high-speed connectivity.”
Spectrum is already North Carolina’s largest broadband provider, serving 2.8 million customers and employing nearly 11,000 residents in the state.
“Gov. Cooper, his administration and the North Carolina Legislature have shown tremendous leadership in embracing public-private partnerships as a vital strategy for connecting unserved communities,” said Brian Gregory, Vice President of Government Affairs at Charter. “We applaud Avery County officials for contributing to this project to make a meaningful difference for residents.”
“We also commend the Legislature and Cooper administration for their support of a $100 million utility pole replacement fund as part of the state’s broadband strategy, which is paying off with significant interest and investment. In all, Spectrum proposed 60 broadband projects across 60 counties and $190 million in investment, thanks to the positive regulatory climate and investment in pole infrastructure.”
“Avery County is rural and mountainous, and many of our families have lacked access to an internet connection for too long,” added County Commission Chairwoman Martha Hicks. “But the announcement that Charter is expanding its broadband network through the Governor’s GREAT grants means that more of our community will soon have high-speed internet access and increased opportunities for success in the 21st Century.”
GREAT Program grants further expand Spectrum’s rural construction initiative, the centerpiece of which is the company’s approximately $5 billion investment in unserved rural communities, which includes more than $1 billion won in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) auction. The company’s RDOF expansion will provide broadband access to approximately 1 million customer locations as estimated by the FCC across 24 states — including more than 125,000 locations in North Carolina — in the coming years. Combined, Spectrum’s GREAT Program grant and RDOF buildouts in Avery County will connect 569 homes and small businesses.
Spectrum Internet® has been consecutively ranked as one of the best internet service providers by U.S. News & World Report, and also earned the highest rating among the Best Internet Service Providers for Rural Areas, underscoring our ongoing commitment to connecting more communities from coast to coast. Spectrum Internet® also exceeded advertised download and upload speeds for all tiers measured — even during peak weeknight usage between 7 and 11 p.m. — according to the FCC’s most recent “Measuring Broadband America Fixed Broadband Report” issued in December 2021.
Broadband Speeds up to 1 Gbps, Plus Money-Saving Mobile Options and 85,000 On Demand Choices
Spectrum offers customers a best in class suite of products, highlighted by Spectrum Internet® plans with speeds up to 1 Gbps for both residential customers and small business clients, starting speeds of 300 Mbps and no modem fees, data caps or contracts. Spectrum was also a day one participant in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which makes quality, high-speed internet service available at a low — or even at no — cost to eligible families in financial need. All Spectrum Internet plans are eligible for ACP credits.
Along with multiple broadband options, Spectrum services will also include Spectrum TV® and Spectrum Mobile™ in Avery County.
Spectrum Mobile, available exclusively to Spectrum Internet customers, combines the fastest overall speeds* with the best devices and a choice of Unlimited or By the Gig data plans. Spectrum Mobile provides customers the highest-quality experience, including access to nationwide 5G, at great value, (two or more lines starting at 29.99, saving customers up to $1,000 a year. And Spectrum TV offers more than 200 HD channels and access to 85,000 On Demand movies and shows. Using the Spectrum TV App, viewers can stream content across a growing number of platforms, including iOS and Android mobile devices, Xbox One, Kindle Fire, Samsung Smart TVs, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku and PCs.
* Fastest Overall Speeds claim based on Global Wireless Solutions’ combined cellular and WiFi speed test results in Spectrum service area where WiFi is available. Cellular speeds vary by location.
Savings based on 2-line comparison of unlimited plans among major national carriers as of 09/2021; prepaid excluded; data usage limits vary by carrier. Spectrum Internet required. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions apply.
Original source can be found here.
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