At a groundbreaking event today in Bedford, Ky., Spectrum announced construction is underway on a fiber-optic network expansion project that will bring gigabit broadband and other Spectrum services to 500 homes and small businesses in Trimble County.
The buildout is part of Spectrum’s approximately $5 billion investment in unserved rural areas, which includes $1.2 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 in the coming years.
Spectrum services are anticipated to be available to residents and small business owners in portions of the buildout area beginning next month. The rest of the county will have access to service in stages with project completion expected in early fall of this year. Rated by U.S. News & World Report as the Best Internet Service Provider for Rural Areas in its 2021-22 ratings, Spectrum will offer a variety of broadband options, including Spectrum Internet Gig, featuring download speeds up to 1 Gbps, and its flagship Spectrum Internet® service, with starting download speeds of 200 Mbps.
Spectrum Internet Assist, the company’s low-cost broadband service for qualifying families and seniors, will also be available. Spectrum Internet Assist offers 30 Mbps speeds for just $17.99 per month. All Spectrum Internet plans have no data caps, modem fees or contracts.
“Broadband is a vital resource for work, learning and personal connection,” said Joe Crone, Vice President, Construction FO Rural Build. “Leveraging resources won in the RDOF auction, we’re building a high-speed, high-capacity network that will bring gigabit internet to hundreds of homes and small businesses in Trimble County — an investment that will ensure families and businesses can participate fully in the digital world, now and well into the future.”
Charter’s commitment to build to unserved parts of Trimble County is an important step in bridging the digital divide according to Trimble County Judge Executive Todd Pollock.
“This investment brings us another step closer to closing the digital divide in Kentucky and I look forward to working with Charter to bring even more technology rural parts of the Commonwealth,” he said.
Kentucky State Rep. Felicia Rabourn is a long-time supporter of getting essential services to rural residents in Kentucky.
“I’m pleased that Charter recognizes the needs of our rural areas and looking for creative ways to ensure they have the tools they need to thrive. Expanding internet access to rural and unserved parts of my district is a key priority of mine, and it takes these types of public/private partnerships to make this happen,” she said.
Along with multiple broadband options, Spectrum will offer its full suite of services, including Spectrum TV®, Spectrum Mobile™ and Spectrum Voice®. Local residents and business owners should visit spectrumruralexpansion.com to learn more about when their home or business may be able to receive Spectrum services.
Overall, Spectrum expects to hire more than 2,000 employees and contractors nationwide to support the RDOF and future rural buildout initiatives, including local crews in state for network construction. Spectrum currently employs more than 3,000 people in Kentucky, with employees earning at least $20 an hour including target commissions.
Original source can be found here.
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