Time Warner Cable wants to be considered for a role in building the super-fast fiber optic network dubbed the North Carolina Next Generation project.
The telecommunications provider said today that it has formally submitted a bid for the project. The Triangle J Council of Governments and a group called the North Carolina Next Generation Consortium in February issued a request for proposals seeking private developers for the project, envisioned to cover parts the Triangle and Winston-Salem.
The project’s goals include improving broadband access and availability while spurring progress in education and economic development. The RFP seeks “free or deeply discounted” services for low-income areas and under served areas, as well as free wireless networks in parks and public areas adjacent to the new network.
Time Warner is already the largest cable television provider in the state and the company also provides business services; among the customers of Time Warner Business Class are 25 North Carolina school systems.
“We have a long history of providing innovative technology to the state and believe our highly reliable, advanced network can exceed the future requirements of the NCNGN to deliver speeds of 1 gigabit per second,” Time Warner Cable President and Chief Operating Officer Rob Marcus said in a statement.
If Time Warner is selected as a vendor, the company would be responsible for footing the bill for capital costs. But prospective vendors could also get incentives to build out the project, such as help with zoning and rights-of-way.
RFP responses were due April 2.
