#United States #Charlotte #Brightspeed #Broadband Expansion #BEAD Grants

Brightspeed's Bold Move to Expand Broadband Connectivity

In a significant development for broadband access in the United States, Brightspeed, the nation’s third-largest fiber broadband builder, has successfully secured a remarkable $110,727,348 in federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program grants. This funding aims to substantially bolster fiber expansion efforts in four states: Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

With these recent funds, Brightspeed plans to connect an additional 19,222 homes and businesses to its high-speed Brightspeed Fiber Internet network, further advancing its mission to enhance digital connectivity. The latest funding announcement follows a previous commitment from the company where more than $222 million in BEAD grants was allocated to extend services to over 73,000 locations across Arkansas, Georgia, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

"From the start, our vision has been bold to transform what’s possible for millions of people in rural and suburban America," stated Brightspeed Executive Chairman and CEO Michel Combes. He emphasized how the BEAD program is crucial in accelerating their vision of providing life-changing internet connections that facilitate learning, drive innovation, support local economies, and forge stronger communities.

Breakdown of the Latest BEAD Awards

The breakdown of the latest federal awards reveals significant investments across the four states involved:

• - Louisiana: $5,751,955 for 2,609 new locations
• - New Jersey: $37,500 for 112 new locations
• - North Carolina: $90,599,048 for 13,744 new locations
• - Tennessee: $14,338,845 for 2,757 new locations

These efforts align with Brightspeed’s broader strategy, which has already seen billions invested in bringing next-generation fiber-optic broadband technology to more than five million locations across 20 states. The company’s multi-gig-speed Brightspeed Fiber Internet service is currently available to nearly 630,000 homes and businesses, with plans for thousands more to gain access each month.

For Brightspeed, access to fast and reliable internet means more than just connectivity—it represents a bridge to new opportunities for families, students, and small businesses. Pamela Sherwood, the Vice President of Brightspeed Broadband Office, pointed out that with BEAD funding, the company can further extend this bridge to communities in need, connecting them to better jobs, education, healthcare, and necessary resources to thrive locally.

The BEAD grants build upon the $261 million already awarded to Brightspeed through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in the same states. The combined funds, coupled with nearly $128 million in private investments by Brightspeed, are poised to grant over 114,000 residents in Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Tennessee access to high-speed internet.

Brightspeed remains dedicated to pursuing both state and federal funding opportunities to expedite its mission of providing fast, reliable internet services, ensuring that underserved areas receive the connectivity they desperately need.

About Brightspeed

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Brightspeed operates across 20 states, offering broadband and telecommunications services through a robust network platform capable of serving more than 7.3 million homes and businesses. With nearly 4,000 employees, Brightspeed is committed to building a more connected future, deploying a state-of-the-art fiber network while ensuring that customer experience remains at the forefront. For further details, visit www.brightspeed.com.