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Nearly $6.2 million fiber-optic buildout to connect nearly 1,300 homes and small businesses in Robeson County to gigabit broadband

By Staff Report, posted Sep 26, 2023 on BizFayetteville.com

Image provided by Spectrum

Spectrum announced it has been awarded a North Carolina Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) Program grant of nearly $6.2 million to bring gigabit high-speed internet access to nearly 1,300 homes and small businesses in Robeson County. Combined with the state grant of $4 million total project investment, including more than $2.1 million from Spectrum, is nearly $6.2 million.

The CAB grant is one of seven awarded to Spectrum to expand fiber-optic broadband infrastructure to areas of the state that currently lack access to high-speed connections.

“These awards will help ensure that more North Carolinians can access affordable and reliable high-speed internet to participate in today’s digital world,” said North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper in a press release. “We will continue to collaborate with county leaders and all grantees to close our state’s digital divide.”

Spectrum is already North Carolina’s largest broadband provider, serving 2.8 million customers and employing more than 11,800 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 Communications – which operates the Spectrum brand of connectivity products and services, in a press release. “Through the CAB grant program, Spectrum joins with state and county partners to bring gigabit broadband and more to thousands of families and small businesses.”

Gregory added in a press release: “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 61 broadband projects across 60 counties and $419 million in investment, thanks to the positive regulatory climate and investment in pole infrastructure.”

CAB 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 $1 billion won in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) auction. Combined, Spectrum’s CAB Program grant and RDOF buildouts in Robeson County will connect more than 5,400 homes and small businesses.

“I’m a lifelong resident of Robeson County and am proud to call this rural part of the state home,” said state Rep. Jarrod Lowery in a press release. “But even the most remote areas need access to reliable internet for businesses to succeed and for families to stay. I’m thrilled that Spectrum is the partner for our county through the state’s CAB program, and I look forward to supporting their network expansion.”

Along with multiple broadband options, Spectrum services will also include Spectrum Mobile™ and Spectrum TV® in Robeson County.

Local residents and business owners can visit spectrumruralexpansion.com to learn more about when their home or business may be able to receive Spectrum services.

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