C Spire Fiber on Monday announced that construction is underway to deploy ultra-fast, fiber-based gigabit internet and related services to the city of Homewood.
According to the telecommunications and technology services company, it began construction on what it referred to as the “next-generation technology” this week. The construction is the first three of 24 fiberhoods which it plans to bring service to for thousands of Jefferson County homes over the coming months.
The company advised that customers will obtain service to the technology in 2022.
Homewood, which is home to C Spire Fiber’s headquarters, is the most recent Alabama market to receive the company’s broadband services.
C Spire is rapidly expanding its presence throughout the Yellowhammer State as it had already launched services in the markets of Jasper, Trussville, Helena, Pelham, Tuscaloosa, Northport, West Mobile County and Orange Beach. Additionally, the firm plans to soon begin fiber broadband connection in Hoover.
The company is currently undertaking or will soon partake in infrastructure construction in the communities of Alabaster, Gulf Shores, Foley and Fairhope.
The expansion plans stem from C Spire’s $1 billion investment across its three-state footprint, which was announced earlier this year. Of the overall total, Alabama is set to receive $500 million from the investment.
Ashley Phillips, general manager of C Spire Fiber and Business Markets, touted the connectivity enhancement as beneficial to the service areas’ future outlook.
“High-speed, all-fiber broadband internet service can be a game-changer for consumers in Homewood and other Alabama communities,” proclaimed Phillips. “Our ability to provide symmetric speeds immediately solves real-world challenges associated with interactive learning, remote work and telehealth applications.”
According to a release, the firm in the coming months will offer fiber internet services to the market’s business community.
“High-speed fiber connectivity is crucial for businesses in today’s world,” said Phillips. “We are pleased to be bringing our fiber internet along with our suite of business services to Homewood. That’s good news as our Alabama broadband initiative continues.”
The company noted the fact that Alabama presently ranks 38th in the nation concerning broadband access. State leadership in recent years have made improving citizen access to reliable internet connectivity a top priority by the establishment of the Alabama Rural Broadband Coalition.
Homewood Mayor Patrick McClusky and Meredith Davidson Drennen, executive director of the Homewood Chamber of Commerce, praised the company’s expansion into their communities.
“Homewood wants to continue to expand and grow in a smart way and dependable, affordable ultra-fast fiber internet services from C Spire will help our residents and businesses achieve their dreams,” asserted McClusky.
Drennen echoed the mayor’s sentiments by stating, “Expanding broadband services is extremely important to our city’s future economic prosperity and it’s gratifying to see the private investment from C Spire that will transform this goal into reality. More broadband choices provide a competitive edge for our businesses.”
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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