Telecommunications firm C Spire has begun work on a 243-mile fiber optic cable route stretching from Meridian, Mississippi, to Homewood, Alabama.
The project — placing conduit, ducting and fiber optic cable underground — should be complete next year and provide greater capacity and resiliency, especially for homes and businesses in the Tuscaloosa and Northport areas.
Work is being completed in five Alabama counties — Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Sumter, Green and Bibb – as well as Lauderdale County in Mississippi.
“High-speed, all-fiber broadband internet service is a game-changer,” said Alan Jones, senior vice president of engineering and development for C Spire. “Our ability to provide symmetric speeds immediately solves real-world challenges associated with interactive learning, remote work and telehealth applications. That’s good news for all Alabamians.”
The project is part of a $1 billion C Spire initiative to improve services.
In announcing the project, C Spire noted: “Alabama ranks 38 nationally in broadband access and state leaders have made access to fast, reliable and affordable internet for rural areas a priority through state funding and creation of the Alabama Rural Broadband Coalition, a group of community, business and government leaders dedicated to job creation, economic development and business growth.”
