Alabama Broadband Expansion to Improve High-Speed Internet Access
By Whitney Sides
Mississippi-based internet service provider C Spire announced it will expand current broadband infrastructure throughout Alabama to improve access to rural areas and faster fiber optic cables.
The mayors of Birmingham and Jasper were joined by C Spire and Alabama Power executives to announce the partnership they say will bridge gaps in reliable internet access statewide.
“The digital divide is real,” Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said at Thursday’s announcement at Regions Field.
He said 23% of people within the city of Birmingham still don’t have an access provider. He said the improvements will help meet access goals he set when he first took office.
Sen. Greg Reed of Jasper, who sponsored legislation that paved the way for broadband expansion, said the initiative will drive economic development.
“We’re going to open up grants for companies to go to areas that they otherwise fiscally wouldn’t even consider so they can finally serve the people that need it the most,” Reed said.
Reed said he hopes more partnerships and co-ops will spring up so companies can work together to expand already-available technology.
Reed said improvements in many small towns can be as easy as extending a cable to the end of a street to ensure everyone has the same access.
Also Thursday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Tombigbee Electric Cooperative announced a grant totaling more than $29 million to expand rural broadband access in Northwest Alabama.
Crew of fatal US military crash included Alabama father recently deployed
The six U.S. service members who died in the crash of a U.S. military refueling aircraft included an Alabama father who had just been promoted and deployed. The U.S. government released the identities of the deceased service members Saturday.
Alabama poised to drastically overhaul utility regulation. Will it lower electric bills?
The Alabama Senate unanimously voted to expand the public service commission, and create a Secretary of Energy to address rising electricity prices. A bill in the House would go even further, requiring rate case hearings and limiting utility profits.
Musher from Alabama is going for back-to-back Iditarod wins
Riches and paid appearances haven’t followed Jessie Holmes since he won the world’s most famous sled dog race, the Iditarod, last year. He doesn't mind.
Bill would move Alabama to closed primaries
Right now, any Alabama voter can participate in a primary election. Lawmakers in Montgomery took up a bill this week that would change that system.
Auburn football player uses NIL funds to open a community hub in Birmingham
Jourdin Crawford, a freshman defensive lineman at Auburn, used earnings from a Name, Image, and Likeness deal to give back to his hometown.
Ivey commutes death sentence of inmate whose accomplice fired fatal shot
Charles “Sonny” Burton was sentenced to death for the killing of Doug Battle during a 1991 robbery. However, another man shot Battle when Burton had left the building.
