Star Communications has completed a multimillion-dollar fiber expansion project that brought high-speed broadband access to thousands of homes across Sampson and Bladen counties.
Officials with the telecommunications provider announced the completion of its USDA ReConnect Round One fiber-to-the-home project earlier this week, noting that it resulted in approximately 691 miles of fiber-optic infrastructure being constructed across the two counties.
The $31.6 million project was supported by a $23.7 million ReConnect grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and a $7.9 million investment from Star Communications.
“We are very excited to celebrate the successful completion of our fiber deployment project spanning multiple counties, delivering high-speed, reliable and affordable connectivity to rural communities and helping to close the digital divide,” Star Communications Executive Vice President and CEO Donna C. Bullard said.
According to Star, the expansion made fiber broadband service available to 8,749 households, 19 businesses, 10 educational facilities and three community centers in areas that previously lacked access to affordable, high-quality broadband service.
Construction began in fall 2020 and was completed on schedule, company officials said.
For Bullard, the completion represents another step toward Star’s larger goal of transitioning its service territory entirely to fiber-to-the-home technology.
“The completion of this project brings Star one step closer to achieving 100 percent fiber-to-the-home service throughout our entire service area,” Bullard said. “This investment brings the same advanced connectivity and opportunities available in urban communities to our rural neighbors, helping close the digital divide across America.”
The expanded fiber network is intended to provide infrastructure capable of supporting education, health care, economic development, remote work and other services that increasingly depend on reliable internet connectivity.
Fiber-to-the-home service differs from networks that rely on older copper or coaxial lines for the final connection to a residence or business. Fiber infrastructure can provide significantly greater bandwidth and is designed to accommodate increasing internet demands.
“With fiber, there are virtually no limitations on connectivity, and Star Communications remains committed to delivering the most advanced telecommunications services to the communities we proudly serve for many years to come,” Bullard said.
Throughout construction, Star worked with local leaders, USDA officials, grant administrators and community partners as the network was extended through the two-county area.
The federal ReConnect program provides grants and loans for the construction and improvement of broadband infrastructure in eligible rural areas where sufficient high-speed internet service is unavailable.
Residents and businesses seeking information about broadband availability can visit starcom.net or call 800-706-6538.
Source: https://www.clintonnc.com/news/141411/star-fiber-project-connects-thousands-in-sampson-bladen/amp
