Thanks to a partnership between Alexander County and Open Broadband, more than 400 local homes and businesses now have high-speed internet service.
Alexander County commissioners approved the agreement with Open Broadband in February 2021 to provide internet service to underserved and unserved areas of the county.
Alan Fitzpatrick, CEO of Open Broadband, said the original goal was to provide internet speeds of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload, but all activated accounts have exceeded that goal. The company plans to continue to upgrade equipment and expand service in the county.
“We’re going to continue to turn up more customers in Alexander County,” Fitzpatrick told the commissioners. “There is a continual evolution in technology. The network that you helped us get started here is just going to get better and better. We will continue to make our own investment and citizens will benefit from that.”
Open Broadband has fixed-wireless equipment on existing towers in several communities within Alexander County. New technology will significantly boost internet speeds for customers.
“The county is making strides in helping to provide broadband to homes and businesses where internet service is poor or nonexistent,” Marty Pennell, chairman of the Alexander County Board of Commissioners, said. “Having broadband internet service is a necessity these days and we’re proud to have partnered with Open Broadband to help provide a low-cost solution for these 400+ customers.”
