More than 10,000 Lauderdale County homes and small businesses will benefit from a fiber-optic network construction project underway by Spectrum.
The project is funded through the federal Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, two Alabama Broadband Accessibility Fund grants and an investment by Spectrum, the company said this week.
So far, Spectrum has extended its network more than 530 miles in the northwest Alabama county, expanding broadband connectivity to nearly 7,000 residents and businesses.
“I’ve been pleased with Spectrum’s diligent work to expand its broadband infrastructure across the county, especially to our most rural and remote residents,” said county Commissioner Brad Black. “I look forward to a continued partnership to help bring high-speed connectivity to each home and business in Lauderdale County and get our communities fully online.”
State and federal officials in recent years have dedicated more than $1 billion to address a lack of broadband connectivity in the state.
“The state’s hard work to fund broadband projects is paying off in Lauderdale County,” state Rep. Phillip Pettus, R-Killen, said. “Spectrum has been hard at work building its network and delivering high-speed internet access to thousands of homes in Lauderdale County – a big win for these communities.”
When complete, those connected homes and businesses will have access to Spectrum’s internet, mobile, TV and voice services.
“We remain committed to rural expansion and are providing these communities superior
connectivity at highly competitive prices, backed by a team of skilled local technicians,” said Thom Tyrrell, Spectrum area vice president.
The company recently held an event for area high school students to experience what a typical workday is like for a Spectrum field technician.
The Alabama Community College System last year announced a no-cost training program for potential fiber optics technicians and installers.