The N.C. Department of Information Technology’s (NCDIT) Division of Broadband and Digital Equity today announced the internet service providers that have been prequalified to participate in multiple state broadband expansion programs, including the Completing Access to Broadband (CAB), Broadband Pole Replacement and Stop-Gap Solutions programs.
The following providers have been prequalified:
- AccessOn Networks, Inc.
- Atlantic Telephone Membership Cooperative (FOCUS Broadband)
- BellSouth Telecommunications, LLC (AT&T North Carolina)
- BalsamWest FiberNET, LLC
- Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corporation (BRMEMC)
- Carolina West Wireless, Inc.
- Cebridge Acquisition, L.P. (NC CSC, LLC)
- Cherokee Cablevision, Inc.
- Citizens Telephone Company (Comporium Communications)
- CloudWyze, Inc.
- CND Acquisition Corporation (The Cable Company)
- Comcast Cable Communications, LLC (Comcast)
- Comporium, Inc. (Comporium Communications)
- Connect Holding II, LLC (Brightspeed)
- Conterra Ultra Broadband, LLC (Conterra Networks)
- ERC Broadband, LLC
- Foothills Broadband, LLC
- French Broad Electric Membership Corporation
- Frontier Communications of the Carolinas, LLC
- HarvestBeam, Inc.
- LREMC Technologies, LLC
- MCNC
- NfinityLink Communications, Inc. (InfinityLink Communications)
- Northland Cable Television, Inc. (Vyve Broadband)
- North State Communications Advanced Services, LLC (Lumos)
- Open Broadband, LLC
- Open Fiber USA, LLC
- Randolph Telephone Membership Corporation (Randolph Communications)
- Wilkes Telephone Membership Corporation (RiverStreet Networks (RSN))
- Roanoke Connect Holdings, LLC (Fybe)
- SkyBest Communications, Inc.
- Skyrunner, Inc.
- Spectrum Southeast, LLC
- Star Telephone Membership Corp (Star Communications)
- StarVision Inc. (Star Communications)
- Surry Telephone Membership Corporation (Surry Communications)
- Ting Fiber, LLC (Ting Internet)
- Windstream North Carolina, LLC
- Yadkin Valley Telephone Membership Corporation (Zirrus)
- ZiTEL
- Zito West Holding, LLC (Zito Media)
“We know how crucial high-speed internet is for all North Carolinians and we are working with our partners across the state to expedite broadband access,” said NCDIT Deputy Secretary for Broadband and Digital Equity Nate Denny. “By prequalifying internet service providers for multiple programs, we have streamlined our processes for the next $568 million our state has dedicated to broadband expansion.”
Internet service providers awarded a state convenience contract through this process will be eligible to respond to state and county requests for service expansion in unserved and underserved areas of North Carolina through the CAB and Stop-Gap Solutions programs and to receive reimbursements through the Broadband Pole Replacement program. According to the latest data from the Federal Communications Commission, more than 420,000 North Carolina households and businesses still do not have access to high-speed internet infrastructure or do not have fast enough internet speeds required to participate in today’s digital world.
Internet providers will maintain their prequalified status by satisfactorily making progress on and completing all current and previously awarded broadband expansion projects funded through NCDIT awards as well as meeting other contract requirements. The selection of providers for specific projects will be determined by the providers’ submissions of detailed proposals and application materials. Additional providers may apply in future prequalification rounds for these and other broadband programs.
For more information about the NCDIT Division of Broadband and Digital Equity, please visit ncbroadband.gov.