News
More than $31 million in public funds, recently awarded to Brightspeed, will help reach 18,000 locations across North Carolina.
By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
At least 20 counties will benefit from over $31 million in funds recently awarded to Brightspeed, a North Carolina-based internet service provider (ISP).
The money, awarded through Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) program funds, will match an investment totaling more than $13 million from Brightspeed to complete the work.
Funding recently awarded is only part of Brightspeed’s efforts in North Carolina, the ISP’s April 16 statement announced.
Along with Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) grants, Brightspeed has received more than $218 million to connect rural North Carolinians, impacting 41 counties.
Steve Brewer, Brightspeed’s regional director of government affairs, said the ISP’s services are currently available to over 430,000 North Carolinians.
Other recent headlines about Brightspeed
Brightspeed network build to reach 315k families in Eastern NC (March 2025)
Brightspeed launches fiber internet to thousands in Wake Forest (Feb. 2025)
“Earlier this year, we launched our fiber network in Wake Forest, just as we did in Rocky Mount and Asheboro in 2024—communities that previously lacked reliable connectivity,” Brewer’s comments stated. “With these additional funds, we can now bring high-speed service to even more underserved areas.”
Brightspeed hopes to serve almost 900K NC locations
When all is said and done, Brightspeed hopes to serve 899,000 locations in North Carolina, according to the ISP’s announcement.
Counties to benefit from Brightspeed’s recent award include Beaufort, Caldwell, Carteret, Caswell, Cumberland, Dare, Edgecombe, Greene, Hyde, Jones, Nash, Onslow, Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pitt, Sampson, Tyrrell, Vance, Wake, and Wilson counties.
Brightspeed’s footprint includes 20 states, served through a network “capable of serving more than 7.3 million homes and businesses,” a summary of the company’s operations explained.
Get content like this delivered to your inbox. Subscribe to the Broadband Communities newsletter.
Learn more about Broadband Communities Summit 2025 in Houston.
