Fiber internet providers are expanding broadband in Alabama, bringing high-speed internet to rural areas. This expansion is expected to benefit over 100,000 households.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is partnering with fiber internet providers to make this expansion possible. This partnership aims to bridge the digital divide and provide equal access to reliable internet.
AT&T Fiber is one of the providers expanding its services in Alabama. They plan to add new fiber-optic lines in several counties, including Colbert, Franklin, and Lawrence.
See what others are reading: Cox Cable Fiber Optic Internet
Government Funding Ivey Announces $148M in CPF Grants
Governor Ivey announced $148 million in Capital Projects Fund (CPF) grants to support internet expansion in Alabama. This funding is a significant step towards bringing high-speed internet to underserved areas.
In 2018, ADECA awarded the first grants from the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund, investing $82 million in state funds to support over 100 projects by internet service providers (ISPs). This investment will provide access to broadband service for over 72,000 Alabama households, businesses, and community institutions.
The Alabama Digital Expansion Division was established in November 2021 to oversee the expansion of high-speed internet access in the state. This division was created through the Connect Alabama Act of 2021.
American Rescue Plan Act funding will further the state's reach with its internet expansion efforts. This funding, combined with the CPF grants, will support grants to ISPs for last-mile projects and the Alabama Anchor Institution/Middle Mile Program to fund fiber connectivity to anchor institutions.
Broadband Expansion
Alabama's fiber internet expansion is a game-changer for residents, with plans to reach over 1 million homes by 2025.
In 2022, the state invested $100 million in fiber infrastructure, with a focus on rural areas.
Fiber internet is 100 times faster than traditional cable, making it ideal for heavy internet users.
Rural areas are finally getting the high-speed internet they need, with fiber deployment expected to reach 90% of rural households by 2025.
This expansion will not only improve internet speeds but also create new economic opportunities for local businesses and residents.
For another approach, see: Jio Fiber vs Jio Air Fiber
Fiber Internet Providers
Brightspeed is targeting 120,000 fiber locations in Alabama over the next five years.
The company plans to initially target 60,000 fiber passings in the state by the end of next year, with a focus on Baldwin, Covington, Dale, Elmore, Fayette, Geneva, Henry, Pickens, and Tallapoosa counties.
Brightspeed will build up to 60,000 additional passings in Alabama in subsequent years, taking its total new passings there to 120,000.
This is part of Brightspeed's larger goal to reach 3 million locations over the next five years, with a target of 1 million locations by the end of 2023.
The company has already laid out plans to reach more than half of its goal, with a significant project planned in Alabama, making it the fourth state where Brightspeed is planning a major project.
Brightspeed is also eyeing an opportunity to partner with the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) to pursue a possible extension of the build and bring fiber-based internet to even more customers in the state.
For another approach, see: Cox Internet Cable
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