3708I2202

Purpose: North Carolina Global Transpark Authority: Lenoir County FTTH Expansion, Last Mile Broadband Deployment in Lenoir County, North Carolina that is designed to bring qualified broadband to 15,256 unserved households across the county.

The application was submitted by the North Carolina Global Transpark Authority (NCGTP) who has entered into a covered partnership with AER Cable Construction, Inc., BVJ Company, Inc., InfinityLink Communications, and National Cable Television Cooperative to accomplish the project.

Activities: NCGTP and InfinityLink Communications will build an 898-mile Fiber to the Home (FTTH) network capable of supporting hybrid GPON/XGSPON technologies. The installation will be 60% aerial and 40% underground. The proposed project will provide 100% of the households within the service area with fiber internet service, offering qualifying residents free service under InfinityLink's participation in the Federal Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. The project plans to make available internet speeds of up to 10 Gbps symmetrical to subscribers within the Lenoir County area. Initial speeds will be offered from 50 Mbps symmetric for $40.00/month to 10 Gbps symmetric for $400.00/month. The applicant has requested a two-year extension of the award period for 2 years, estimating that the project will be completed in 3 years.

Outcomes: This project proposes to provide service to Lenoir County, by way of 898 miles of fiber to 15,256 residential, 160 community anchor points, 2,191 agricultural, 1,214 commercial, and 186 government points that currently do not have access to fiber optic internet. The fiber deployment will allow for speeds of 50/50 Mbps to 10 Gbps/10 Gbps. InfinityLink will offer monthly fees of $0 to qualified applicants.

Beneficiaries: This project would bring broadband coverage to all areas of Lenoir County, North Carolina that do not currently have access to qualified broadband services. Lenoir County's businesses, citizens, and students would have access to reliable fiber internet.

Subrecipient: InfinityLink Communications is a subrecipient of federal funds for this project. InfinityLink will oversee the design, engineering, and implementation of the fiber network.

North Carolina Global Transpark Authority

TO PROVIDE NEW FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY TO MAKE GRANTS ON A COMPETITIVE BASIS FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE.

11.031 - Broadband Infrastructure Program

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) [DOC]

Kinston, North Carolina 28504-7345 United States

Single Zip Code

BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM (NTIA-BROADBAND-INFRASTRUCTURE-PROGRAM-21)

COVID-19 $29,985,800 (100%) percent of this Project Grant was funded by COVID-19 emergency acts including the CARES Act.
Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 02/28/25 to 08/28/26.