FAYETTEVILLE – Businesses and residents of Fayetteville and the surrounding areas of Cumberland County now have access to high-speed broadband fiber-optic internet, as Metronet today officially launched its gigabit internet service in the region.
The company, which is based in Indiana, announced in January 2021 that it would invest $70 million in the region to deploy broadband internet infrastructure.
Cumberland County is the first region of North Carolina where Metronet has made infrastructure investments to bring gigabit internet service online to provide access to businesses and residents. The company announced a deal with the City of Hickory in April 2021.
Fiber optic internet, services coming to Fayetteville, much of Cumberland County
Innovation and entrepreneurship
The company is also supporting the region’s entrepreneurs, choosing to hold the network’s “lighting” ceremony at the CORE Innovation Center in Fayetteville this afternoon,
According to a statement shared with WRAL TechWire, Metronet will donate broadband access to the company’s “ultra-high-speed, 100 percent fiber optic internet service” to the CORE Innovation Center, along with opening an office at the Center.
“Our future-proof network has proven valuable to the cities we partner with, and we are excited to bring that opportunity to Fayetteville,” said Dave Heimbach, president and COO of Metronet, in a statement. “Metronet is proud to support the CORE Innovation Center by providing 1 Gigabit of upload and download speeds for the next five years. Our services will allow local entrepreneurs to kick-start their businesses and promote further economic growth for the city.”
According to the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation (FCEDC), the CORE Innovation Center is a “unique military and technology focused accelerator.” The CORE Innovation Center overlooks downtown Fayetteville and provides rentable private offices, demonstration space, conference rooms, and a rooftop reception space, according to a statement.
“Advanced world-class internet access is an essential component of innovation,” said North Carolina Representative John Szoka in a statement.
Fayetteville soon to be a ‘gigabit city’ with $70M fiber optic network on the way
Coverage areas
The company noted in a statement that the entire network is still under construction, but added that when it is complete, it would cover a wide geography within Cumberland County. The list of municipalities includes Fayetteville, Hope Mills, Linden, Wade, Stedman, Godwin, Eastover, Falcon, and Spring Lake, the statement noted, and the company will also service some portions of Hoke County, including Raeford and Rockfish.
“Metronet’s infrastructure is a vital advancement for our community,” said City of Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin in a statement. “We’re thrilled to become the next ‘Gigabit City’.”
Construction began in March 2021, the statement noted. The installation will include fiber optic infrastructure, and the company noted that it anticipates that each community would receive access within two years. The company is hiring workers in the region to assist with the installation and deployment of the network.
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