Spectrum announced on Friday, a more than $6.3 million proposal to bring gigabit high-speed internet access to more than 1,320 homes and small businesses in Bradley County. The grant application is for the Tennessee Emergency Broadband Fund – American Rescue Plan (TEBF-ARP) to utilize the State of Tennessee’s American Rescue Plan Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (FRF) to expand broadband infrastructure to parts of Tennessee that currently lack access to a high-speed connection.
The project includes a $2.3 million grant request from the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community and a nearly $4 million private investment from Spectrum.
The awards are expected to be announced by the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development in summer 2022.
The proposal is in addition to the company’s approximately $5 billion investment in unserved rural communities, which includes $1.2 billion won in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) RDOF auction. The company’s RDOF expansion will provide broadband access to approximately one million customer locations as estimated by the FCC across 24 states, including Tennessee, in the coming years.
Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the Best Internet Service Provider for Rural Areas in its 2021-22 ratings, Spectrum Internet also exceeded advertised download and upload speeds for all tiers measured — even during peak weeknight usage between 7 and 11 p.m. — according to the FCC’s most recent “Measuring Broadband America Fixed Broadband Report” issued in December 2021.
“Charter is a proven leader in expanding broadband to underserved communities, especially in rural areas,” said State Representative Mark Hall, whose district includes Bradley County. “Once this latest application for Fiscal Recovery Funds is approved, this funding should include areas not already covered by federal RDOF funds. These combined broadband expansion efforts will bring connectivity to more residents in Bradley County.”
Charter also offers Spectrum Internet 100, a high-speed, low-cost broadband service with 100 Mbps download speeds for just $29.99 per month, which includes a modem, in-home WiFi and self-installation at no additional charge. Spectrum Internet 100 is available exclusively to households eligible for the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides qualifying households up to a $30 monthly credit ($75 on qualifying Tribal lands) toward broadband service, allowing eligible customers to receive Spectrum Internet 100 at no monthly cost.
Along with multiple broadband options, Spectrum will offer its full suite of services, including Spectrum TV, Spectrum Mobile and Spectrum Voice.