Spectrum Awarded North Carolina Completing Access To Broadband Program Grant For Onslow County

$1.7M Fiber-Optic Buildout Would Connect 90 Homes and Small Businesses to Gigabit Broadband With Starting Speeds of 300 Mbps

Spectrum today announced it has been awarded a North Carolina Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) Program grant of more than $1.7M to bring gigabit high-speed internet access to 90 homes and small businesses in Onslow County. Combined with the state grant of $962,507 total project investment, including $787,000 from Spectrum, is more than $1.7M.

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. “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. “Through the CAB grant program, Spectrum joins with state and county partners to bring gigabit broadband and more to hundreds of families and small businesses.

“We also commend the Legislature and Cooper Administration for their support of a $100M 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 $419M 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 $5B investment in unserved rural communities, which includes $1B 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 CAB Program grant and RDOF buildouts in Onslow County will connect more than 200 homes and small businesses.

“Small businesses like mine require high-speed internet access to grow, connect with customers, and manage accounting, payroll, and so much more,” said state Sen. Michael Lazzara. “Spectrum’s CAB award for Onslow County will help bring fast broadband internet access to those who still do not have the speed or reliability they need to thrive.”

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

Broadband Speeds up to 1 Gbps, Plus Money-Saving Mobile Options and 85,000 On Demand Choices

Spectrum Internet delivers speeds up to 1 Gbps and Advanced WiFi for both residential customers and small business clients, featuring starting speeds of 300 Mbps, with no modem fees, data caps or contracts. Spectrum Business Internet offers its clients plans with starting download speeds of 300 Mbps, with 600 Mbps and 1 Gbps options.

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 January 2023.

Spectrum also was 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, and because customers are not locked into a contract, families can always choose the right broadband plan to meet their changing needs.

Along with multiple broadband options, Spectrum services now available also include Spectrum Mobile and Spectrum TV. Spectrum Mobile is the nation’s fastest-growing mobile provider^* and combines with Spectrum Internet and Advanced Home WiFi to provide seamless connectivity inside and outside the home. Spectrum Mobile provides customers access to nationwide 5G at great value, with Unlimited lines starting at $29.99 a month, as well as By the Gig options.

Spectrum TV offers more than 270 HD channels and access to 85,000 On Demand movies and shows. Using the Spectrum TV App — the highest-rated pay TV streaming app in the U.S.^** — 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, XUMO TVs and PCs.

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.

^* Based on year end 2022 subscriber data among top 3 carriers.

^**iOS (App Store) and Android (Google Play) average ratings as of July 1, 2023. Apps must have at least 150k reviews through combination of iOS & Android store reviews as of July 1, 2023.