State-of-the-Art Fiber Network to Reach Over
60,000 Potential Customers in Alabama by End of 2023
CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 22,
2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Brightspeed today outlined its
planned fiber network build for the state of Alabama. By the end of 2023, Brightspeed will
finish the first phase of construction and deliver over 60,000 new
fiber passings across several counties in the state. In subsequent
years of its network initiative, the company plans to add another
60,000 fiber passings for a total of up to 120,000 new
fiber-enabled locations in its Alabama footprint.
Alabama is one of the 20 states
forming Brightspeed's operating territory, covering mainly rural
and suburban regions of the country. The company will initially be
comprised of the incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) assets and
associated operations of Lumen Technologies (NYSE: LUMN), which are
the subject of a pending acquisition by Apollo-managed funds (NYSE:
APO). The parties expect to obtain regulatory approvals in the
third quarter of this year, and to close the transaction in early
fourth quarter.
Brightspeed will invest at least $2
billion in its fiber optics transformation, which is
expected to reach up to 3 million homes and businesses over the
next five years, including in many locations where fiber and
advanced technology have not historically been deployed.
"We are thrilled to announce our fiber network plans for
Alabama," said Sherry Hessenthaler, Operations Strategy Lead
for Brightspeed. "At a time when high-quality internet access has
never been more important to today's families and businesses, we
will be ready to hit the ground running with our deployment. It is
a privilege to be able to share in Alabama's growth and development by doing our
part to help bridge the digital divide."
Brightspeed plans to bring faster, more reliable Internet and
Wi-Fi initially to over 60,000 residential and commercial locations
over the next 18 months in markets within Baldwin, Covington, Dale, Elmore,
Fayette, Geneva, Henry, Pickens, and Tallapoosa counties. These new locations will
augment the more than 10,000 existing fiber passings Brightspeed
will assume upon the close of the transaction between the Apollo
funds and Lumen.
"In addition to our own network investment in Alabama, we are equally inspired by the
opportunity to partner with the Alabama Department of Economic and
Community Affairs (ADECA) to pursue a possible extension of the
build and bring fiber-based internet to even more customers in the
state," Hessenthaler added.
"Ensuring Alabamians in every community – big and small – have
the ability to have high-speed connectivity is simply a necessity
these days. Over the past few years, we have made increasing our
broadband infrastructure across the state a priority, and we are
making great progress thanks to partners like Brightspeed," said
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. "In this first phase of constructing
its planned fiber network, Brightspeed will make connectivity a
whole lot better and a whole lot quicker for over 60,000
Alabamians. This is another tremendous step in the right
direction."
Brightspeed previously announced that it is working with a
select team of technology innovators and partners to deploy an FTTP
architecture engineered for faster deployment and market
availability. The company's XGSPON-based network will enable
downstream and upstream internet speeds that exceed 1Gbps.
Information regarding Brightspeed's other state-specific network
build plans will be forthcoming.
For more information about Brightspeed, visit the company's
website, www.brightspeed.com.
About Brightspeed
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. and expected to have assets
and associated operations in 20 states, Brightspeed will provide
broadband and telecommunications services through a network
platform capable of serving more than 6 million homes and
businesses. The company aims to bridge the digital divide by
deploying a state-of-the-art fiber network and a customer
experience that makes staying connected simple and seamless. For
more information about Brightspeed, visit the company's website,
www.brightspeed.com.
Media
Erik Carlson
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer
Katcher
(212) 355-4449
pr@brightspeed.com
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SOURCE Brightspeed