$1.3 million agreement will improve broadband for up to 95% of households in Wise County
HUDSON OAKS, Texas – Nextlink Internet announced today that it has reached a final agreement with Wise County, Texas to deliver and improve broadband internet access throughout the entire county.
The $1.3 million agreement will see Nextlink deploy broadband at data speeds ranging from 100 megabits per second (Mbps) to 500 Mbps to 95% of households in the county — which is upwards of 65,000 people. Nextlink will also provide gigabit fiber-based internet service for 18 of 20 county offices and gigabit fixed wireless service for the other two county offices. Nextlink will complete this build in seven months.
The Honorable J.D. Clark, Wise County Judge, said, “This investment will give some of our most rural residents next-generation broadband connectivity. Internet access is a must-have in the 21st century and we’re proud to partner with Nextlink to get this done quickly and cost-effectively.”
Bill Baker, Founder and CEO of Nextlink Internet, said, “Today’s agreement will help bridge the digital divide in Wise County and provide rural families with reliable and fast broadband connectivity. Nextlink is proud to consistently deliver high-speed internet access in underserved areas in Texas and across America.”
To better facilitate this service, Nextlink will also open a permanent field office in Wise County, which will employ 15 full-time individuals.
“Nextlink is fully committed to Wise County and helping achieve its goal of expanding broadband access. We look forward to operating here for many years to come,” Baker continued.
A variety of data plans will be made available, including a plan under the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which will allow qualifying residents to receive free 25 Mbps service.
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About Nextlink Internet
Nextlink Internet is a rural-focused provider of high-speed internet and phone services in Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska. The company is a fully IP-based, carrier-class network from core to edge with approximately 88,000 customers, more than 950 team members, and extensive fiber and wireless infrastructure. As an active participant in public-private partnerships to close the digital divide, Nextlink is working to rapidly connect thousands of additional homes, schools, libraries and businesses in small communities across 11 states. For more information: nextlinkinternet.com.