South Carolina

Biden-Harris Administration Approves Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, and South Carolina’s “Internet for All” Initial Proposals

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, and South Carolina’s Initial Proposals for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. This approval enables Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, and South Carolina to request access to funding and begin implementation of the BEAD program. This action allows states to request:  

Comporium/York Electric Share Broadband Grant from Innovative South Carolina Program

Rural broadband provider Comporium said yesterday that it gave York Electric Cooperative (YEC) a check for nearly $1.1 million, which represents a portion of a grant that Comporium was awarded by the South Carolina Broadband Office. The money came through an innovative program offered by the state for a project on which Comporium and York Electric partnered.

Brightspeed Awarded $213 million in Grants for 12 States

Brightspeed has been awarded more than $213 million in local, state, and federal grants to deploy fiber broadband networks in 12 states.

South Carolina Completes Historic $400 Million American Rescue Plan Commitment to Connect Over 112,380 Locations

The South Carolina Broadband Office (SCBBO) announced the historic conclusion of its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant programs that have resulted in the commitment of $400 million to expand high-speed internet access to over 112,380 unserved or underserved Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSLs) statewide.

Spectrum Launches Gigabit Broadband, Mobile,
TV and Voice Services in Orangeburg County, South Carolina

Spectrum announced the launch of Spectrum Internet, Mobile, TV and Voice services to more than 530 homes and small businesses in Orangeburg County, South Carolina. Spectrum’s newly constructed fiber-optic network buildout in Orangeburg County is part of the company’s approximately $5 billion Rural Digital Opportunity Fund-related investment in unserved rural communities, partly offset by $1.2 billion in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) RDOF auction.

Comporium Brings Multi-Gigabit Broadband Speeds to Additional York County, South Carolina

Forty-four addresses in two rural areas of York County (SC) have gained access to Comporium’s fiber-based multi-gigabit internet service. Over the past few months, Comporium placed two miles of fiber-optic network to reach addresses off Hands Mill Highway and Kingsburry Road. This project, extending the company’s fiber-optic network, provides customers the ability to access internet speeds of up to five Gigabits per second. Comporium continues to work with state and federal agencies to find ways to upgrade service to more rural customers.

Spectrum Launches Gigabit Broadband, Mobile, TV and Voice Services in Barnwell County, South Carolina

Spectrum announced the launch of Spectrum Internet, Mobile, TV and Voice services to more than 1950 homes and small businesses in Barnwell County (SC). Spectrum’s newly constructed fiber-optic network buildout in Barnwell County is part of the company’s approximately $5 billion Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF)-related investment in unserved rural communities, partly offset by $1.2 billion in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) RDOF auction. The company’s RDOF expansion will provide broadband access to 1.3 million customer locations across 24 states in the coming years.

Spectrum Launches Gigabit Broadband, Mobile, TV and Voice Services in Charleston County (SC)

Spectrum announced the launch of Spectrum Internet, Mobile, TV and Voice services to 400 homes and small businesses in Charleston County (SC). Spectrum’s newly constructed fiber-optic network buildout in Charleston County is part of the company’s approximately $5 billion RDOF-related investment in unserved rural communities, partly offset by $1.2 billion in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) auction. The company’s RDOF expansion will provide broadband access to 1.3 million customer locations across 24 states in the coming years.

Flush With BEAD Cash, at Least 13 States Make Plans For ‘Nondeployment’ Funds

At least 13 states intend to undertake “nondeployment” projects as part of their funding under the $42.5-billion BEAD program, according to their initial proposals. The number of states that expect money left over after allocating funds for all unserved and underserved locations could be higher, and perhaps considerably so.

SC Digital Opportunity Department Submits Digital Equity Plan

On February 12, 2024, the Digital Opportunity Department (DOD) of the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff submitted its Digital Equity Plan to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). This five-year Plan is designed to help bridge the digital divide through enhanced broadband adoption and use. Its goals are to enhance the following: