Leading-Edge FTTP Network to Reach Over 10,000
Potential Customers in Kansas by
End of 2023
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 18,
2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Brightspeed today announced that
it will achieve, by the end of 2023, over 10,000 new fiber passings
in portions of three counties in the first phase of its fiber
network build in the state of Kansas. Brightspeed plans to add 45,000 fiber
passings in the state in subsequent years of its build plan, for a
total of over 55,000 fiber-enabled locations across its
Kansas operating area.
"We are thrilled to share our initial network build plan for
Kansas," said Sherry Hessenthaler, operations strategy lead
for Brightspeed. "We believe all people and businesses should have
access to high-quality internet connectivity they can rely on to
accomplish what is most important to them. We are eager to
accelerate the upgrade to fiber technologies in our Kansas footprint and to introduce customers to
our next-gen Brightspeed products and services supported by a
simple, intuitive customer experience."
Kansas is one of the 20 states
that make up Brightspeed's territory, covering mainly rural and
suburban regions of the country. Brightspeed will initially be
comprised of 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).
In total, Brightspeed plans to 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 to help
bridge the digital divide.
Brightspeed's initial build plan for Kansas will bring faster, more reliable
internet and Wi-Fi to over 10,000 residential and commercial
locations in markets within Brown,
Johnson, and Miami counties. These new fiber-enabled
addresses are incremental to approximately 5,000 existing fiber
passings that Brightspeed will assume upon the close of the
transaction between the Apollo funds and Lumen.
"In addition to our own build plans, we are evaluating areas for
consideration for state and federal broadband infrastructure grants
as they become available," added Hessenthaler. "We look forward to
working with stakeholders at state, county, and city levels to make
fiber-based broadband a reality for even more families and
businesses in Kansas."
"Brightspeed's announcement of improvements within their service
exchanges is great news. We will be even more excited when
construction begins in Osawatomie," said Miami County Economic
Development Director Janet McRae.
"The last few years have demonstrated that our area needs more
connectivity solutions at affordable prices. Their plans to expand
fiber-based internet access is encouraging, and we appreciate their
commitment to our area."
"I appreciate Brightspeed for the work they're doing in my
District and our state as a whole," said State Representative
Bill Sutton. "This critically
needed initiative will continue to move southern Johnson County forward, not only from a
business perspective, but from an educational perspective as well.
This will be especially important for our students whose education
and curriculum require a great deal of computer work at home."
Brightspeed's next-generation FTTP architecture is designed to
accelerate deployment and market availability. Partnering with a
select group of technology vendors, the company is utilizing
innovative technologies including XGS-PON, capable of downstream
and upstream internet speeds exceeding 1Gbps, and Wi-Fi 6 for
optimal performance and coverage to support today's device-dense
homes and businesses.
Brightspeed plans to announce additional state-specific network
build plans in the coming weeks.
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