North Carolina

The North Carolina Department of Information Technology announced a $1 million notice of funding opportunity for the Broadband Satellite Resiliency Grant program designed to strengthen local resiliency and provide high-speed internet redundancy for public and community institutions serving North Carolinians.

Kinetic announced a major broadband expansion in North Carolina, delivering multi-gig fiber internet to an additional 16,000 homes across more than 40 communities in the second quarter of 2026. The expansion highlights Kinetic’s commitment to delivering better technology, at a better value, for customers. In the second quarter of 2026, Kinetic added fiber locations in Granite Quarry, Concord, Indian Trail, Pine Bluff, China Grove, Tryon, Morven, Davidson, Kannapolis and more. A portion of these locations were supported by funds awarded to the State of North Carolina by the U.S.

The NC Rural Center has advocated for rural broadband for more than two decades, beginning with its leadership of the e-NC Authority, a statewide initiative created in 2000 to promote broadband deployment.8 Since then, the Rural Center has continued to support broadband expansion through policy leadership, community engagement, and advocacy for state and federal investments. Recognizing that funding alone would not achieve universal connectivity, the Rural Center launched the Collaborative Broadband Initiative in 2022 with support from Dogwood Health Trust, the U.S.

When the Blue Ridge Broadband Alliance (BRBA) launched in July 2025, momentum was not on its side. The previous five years had been a time of immense growth in the broadband and digital opportunity space. The COVID-19 pandemic thrust the digital divide into the spotlight, and stories of students doing homework in fast food parking lots made it clear that something needed to be done.

Republican state lawmakers could award $5 million in no-bid contracts to use AI for the purpose of providing tutoring support to students. The newly released state budget includes $2.5 million for middle schools and high schools to use Khan Academy’s Khanmigo program and $2.5 million to use MagicSchool’s program. Both programs are billed as ways to use artificial intelligence to help teachers with their lesson plans and students with learning comprehension.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the North Carolina Department of Information Technology announced three new programs to improve the digital infrastructure of rural health care through new digital solutions and tools.

As western North Carolina continues recovering from the devastation left by Helene, state and regional leaders are focusing on one of the storm's most significant challenges: the near-total collapse of communications infrastructure. During a virtual recovery update hosted by Grow NC, officials discussed ongoing recovery efforts and what is being done to prevent another communications blackout if a future disaster strikes.

Another struggling rural carrier is shutting down. Carolina West Wireless struck an agreement to transition its wireless network to Verizon and will end its wireless services effective September 30, 2026. Terms were not disclosed. Based in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, Carolina West Wireless was formed 35 years ago and is owned by a partnership of Skyline Telephone and Surry Communications. The company provides wireless service across 11 western North Carolina counties.

The demand for fiber optic supply is reaching a fever pitch as hyperscalers scramble to keep pace with predicted demand for AI and data center capacity. Amazon has announced a multi-billion-dollar deal to expand fiber supply manufacturing in North Carolina. This is on top of its existing $10 billion investment in North Carolina to expand cloud computing infrastructure announced in 2025. Amazon is not the only hyperscaler working to ensure its fiber supply.

An hour outside the state capital, with one-tenth the population, Wilson, North Carolina, is known for the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, vinegary barbecue, and excellent, affordable internet service.