Spectrum begins construction on broadband network in Noble County
Spectrum recently announced construction is underway on a fiber-optic network expansion project that will bring gigabit broadband and other Spectrum services to more than 2,300 homes and small businesses in Noble County. The announcement was made Thursday at a groundbreaking event in Pleasant City.
The buildout is part of Spectrum’s approximately $5 billion investment in unserved rural areas, which includes $1.2 billion won in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) auction. The company’s RDOF expansion will provide broadband access to approximately
1 million customer locations as estimated by the FCC across 24 states in the coming years.
Spectrum services are expected to be available to residents and small business owners in the buildout area beginning in later this summer. Spectrum will offer a variety of broadband options, including Spectrum Internet Gig, featuring download speeds up to 1 Gbps, and its flagship Spectrum Internet service, with starting download speeds of 300 Mbps.
Spectrum Internet Assist, the company’s low-cost broadband service for qualifying families and seniors, will also be available. It offers 30 Mbps speeds for $17.99 per month. All Spectrum Internet plans have no data caps, modem fees or contracts.
“Broadband is a vital resource for work, learning and personal connection,” said Dwight Buchanon, vice president, construction FO Rural Build. “Leveraging resources won in the RDOF auction, we’re building a high-speed, high-capacity network that will bring gigabit internet to thousands of homes and small businesses in Noble County — an investment that will ensure families and businesses can participate fully in the digital world, now and well into the future.”
Along with multiple broadband options, Spectrum will offer its full suite of services, including Spectrum TV, Spectrum Mobile and Spectrum Voice. Local residents and business owners should visit spectrumruralexpansion.com to learn more about when their home or business may be able to receive Spectrum services.
U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson stressed the importance of access to high-speed internet for economic development in rural parts of Ohio.
“Having access to high-speed, reliable internet service is crucial in today’s interconnected digital world. What Charter is doing here in Appalachia and across the state has many benefits, including helping to drive economic development in rural parts of Ohio. Today, reliable internet connectivity isn’t a luxury, it’s a must,” Johnson said.
Getting essential services to those in unserved areas is being addressed through the recent announcement according to Ohio State Senator Frank Hoagland (OH-30).
Ohio State Representative Don Jones (OH-95) said many residents of Noble County have made the choice to live in a rural part of the state, but until today have had to watch others get essential connectivity services.
“Noble County is proudly rural, yet many of our residents have lacked access to critical infrastructure like broadband. Charter’s expansion through the RDOF program will help our community immensely – from teachers and students to farmers and health care workers,” he said.
Overall, Spectrum expects to hire more than 2,000 employees and contractors nationwide to support the RDOF and future rural buildout initiatives, including local crews in state for network construction. Spectrum currently employs more than 7,500 people in Ohio, with employees earning at least $20 an hour including target commissions.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Spectrum begins construction on broadband network in Noble County
