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Focus Broadband North Carolina (2025)

Focus Broadband North Carolina: Connecting Rural Communities with Reliable High-Speed Internet

In a world where digital connectivity drives everything from business operations to education and telehealth, reliable high-speed internet isn't a luxury — it's a baseline requirement. Communities without it fall behind, widening gaps in opportunity, productivity, and economic development.

Focus Broadband, a member-driven cooperative headquartered in Southeastern North Carolina, is transforming digital access in the state. With a mission rooted in expanding fiber-optic internet infrastructure to areas long ignored by major providers, Focus Broadband is delivering gigabit-speed service to rural and underserved regions, one mile of cable at a time.

In these communities, dependable broadband means more than faster streaming — it fuels remote learning, supports small businesses, connects families, and powers critical services. Focus Broadband doesn't just offer connectivity; it reinvents possibilities for North Carolinians who’ve waited years to be included in the digital conversation.

Focus Broadband: A Catalyst for Change in Columbus, NC

From Local Cooperative to Regional Internet Leader

Focus Broadband began its journey in 1955 as Atlantic Telephone Membership Corporation (ATMC), a member-owned cooperative established to bring telephone service to rural Southeastern North Carolina. Over the decades, it has evolved into a technology-driven provider, offering high-speed internet, video, voice, and security services. In 2021, the organization rebranded as Focus Broadband to reflect its growing emphasis on robust fiber-optic internet infrastructure across the region.

Expanding Access in Columbus County and Beyond

Columbus County serves as a key area in Focus Broadband’s expansion strategy. Through aggressive infrastructure development and partnerships with local governments, the organization has built out a modern fiber network covering dozens of underserved and unserved communities. The company doesn’t stop at Columbus; its operational footprint includes Brunswick, Bladen, Robeson, and Pender counties as well. Every mile of fiber installed widens access and unlocks digital potential for homes, businesses, and anchor institutions.

Prioritizing Reliability and Human-Centered Support

Focus Broadband maintains high service uptime with real-time network monitoring and proactive maintenance, essential for communities that rely heavily on virtual services in work, education, and healthcare. The cooperative model fuels a customer-first approach — subscribers aren’t just numbers; they're members with a voice. Local support teams are based in the region they serve, offering fast resolution times and personalized assistance. Whether it’s a new installation or technical troubleshooting, residents connect with trained professionals who understand the unique needs of rural North Carolina.

Bridging the Digital Divide: Why Broadband Matters in Rural Areas

Understanding Rural Broadband and Digital Equity

Rural broadband refers to high-speed internet access in communities that lie outside urban and suburban centers. Digital equity goes a step further—it ensures that individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in society, democracy, and the economy.

In North Carolina, the contrast in connectivity between rural and urban areas illustrates a persistent digital divide. Across the state, approximately 1.1 million North Carolinians lack access to reliable broadband, with 95% of those living in rural regions, according to the NC Department of Information Technology.

The Real-World Impact of Digital Gaps

Without broadband, rural households navigate significant barriers. Start with education—students in areas without reliable internet struggle to complete assignments, attend virtual classes, or access online resources. The 2021 “Homework Gap” study by Common Sense Media and Boston Consulting Group found that 30% of students in lower-income rural households had insufficient access for remote learning during the pandemic.

Healthcare delivery also suffers. Telemedicine, a growing lifeline in areas with limited clinics or hospitals, depends on strong broadband infrastructure. Without it, patients face longer travel times for appointments and fewer options for specialists.

Employment opportunities narrow as well. Remote work, digital job applications, online certifications—all require a stable connection. Small businesses also lose potential markets. In a digitally marginalized region, even a farm-to-table business can’t reach urban customers or use e-commerce efficiently.

Challenges Unique to Rural North Carolina

Geography complicates infrastructure rollout. Mountainous regions in the west and sprawling farmlands in the east demand more capital per mile to deploy fiber networks. Low population densities reduce the incentives for major ISPs to invest, leaving towns dependent on slow DSL or satellite services.

In counties like Columbus, median household incomes fall below state averages, limiting residents’ ability to afford premium internet packages even when available. Meanwhile, many rural residents remain unaware of digital access programs due to poor outreach or low digital literacy.

This complex mix of topography, economic disadvantage, and limited provider competition has created conditions where nearly one in three rural households in North Carolina still lacks access to reliable broadband, according to the Federal Communications Commission’s 2023 Broadband Deployment Report.

Fiber Optic Internet Services: Powering the Future

Why Fiber Optics Redefine Connectivity

Fiber optic internet transmits data using light signals through strands of glass or plastic, unlike traditional copper cables that rely on electrical signals. This allows for data transmission at dramatically higher speeds and across longer distances without signal degradation. While standard DSL connections max out at a few hundred megabits per second, fiber can deliver symmetrical speeds upwards of 1 Gbps—and in some deployments, even 10 Gbps.

Latency on fiber networks is significantly lower, which enables smoother videoconferencing, virtually lag-free gaming, and faster upload times for large files. Unlike cable networks that slow down during peak hours due to shared bandwidth, fiber offers a dedicated line to each user, ensuring consistent performance regardless of usage spikes.

The Backbone of High-Speed Access

Fiber infrastructure forms the backbone of modern digital ecosystems. It supports advanced cloud-based applications, IoT devices, and remote work tools that require stable, high-capacity connections. Schools, hospitals, and municipal services rely on fiber's resilience and scalability to operate critical systems in real time. For households, this translates to multiple devices streaming, downloading, and uploading content without buffering or interruption.

In disaster response and emergency communication, fiber is less susceptible to interference and electromagnetic disruption, providing reliable service when it's needed most. This level of performance is not achievable with coaxial or DSL connections, where limitations on bandwidth and latency can compromise service quality.

Focus Broadband's Fiber Deployment in Rural North Carolina

Focus Broadband is executing an expansive fiber rollout in rural North Carolina, with a concentrated investment in Columbus County and adjoining regions. By constructing a future-ready infrastructure, the company is transforming communities historically left behind in the digital shift. The network expansion includes laying thousands of miles of fiber lines, connecting homes, schools, small businesses, and farms with gigabit-speed internet.

Backed by a mix of federal funding and strategic reinvestment, Focus Broadband is targeting underserved zones where private internet providers haven’t built next-generation networks. Their fiber deployments allow families to access telehealth services, participate in online learning, and work remotely—all from areas previously considered broadband deserts.

Where copper once limited potential, fiber now unlocks opportunity. Focus Broadband isn’t simply improving internet speeds—it’s rearchitecting rural connectivity for the long term.

Transforming Connectivity: Key Focus Broadband Projects Across North Carolina

Statewide Rollouts with a Local Focus

Focus Broadband has led an aggressive infrastructure expansion across North Carolina, prioritizing fiber-optic rollout in rural and underserved markets. Among the most consequential efforts, Columbus County serves as a flagship example of how fiber infrastructure reshapes entire communities.

Columbus County: A Model for Rural Fiber Expansion

In Columbus County, Focus Broadband initiated a multi-phase fiber deployment project that now brings gigabit-speed internet to thousands of households and businesses previously reliant on DSL or with no access at all. The initial phase began in 2021 with $9.1 million in funding, part of which came from the NC GREAT Grant program. By mid-2023, more than 4,000 addresses had been connected across unserved areas in counties like Bolton and Riegelwood.

This rollout not only delivered high-speed access but also introduced symmetrical upload and download speeds up to 1 Gbps—delivering reliable performance for remote work, virtual learning, telehealth, and smart farming applications.

“Last Mile” Connectivity: Reaching Every Corner

Focus Broadband has invested heavily in “last mile” expansions—projects that close the final gap between regional fiber backbones and individual homes or small business locations. In neighborhoods like Old Dock and Cerro Gordo within Columbus County, residents gained access to broadband for the first time. Local case studies show households transitioning from satellite or mobile hotspots to fiber connections that support real-time collaboration and 4K streaming without interruption.

In other parts of southeastern North Carolina—such as parts of Robeson and Brunswick Counties—Focus Broadband rolled out targeted last mile deployments, driven by pinpoint mapping of unserved homes and coordination with county officials. These tailored efforts increased home penetration rates and generated measurable improvements in education and healthcare engagement in under six months post-installation.

Deployment Timelines and Regional Impact

The ripple effect of each completed project includes higher property values, increased digital literacy, and rising demand for emerging tech-based services within these communities. Rather than isolated installations, each project plugs into a long-term plan for regional digital transformation.

Mobilizing State and Federal Support: Government Broadband Grants & FCC Broadband Funding Programs

Transforming North Carolina's digital infrastructure requires more than fiber cables and field crews—it requires substantial investment. The momentum behind Focus Broadband’s rural expansion has been fueled by federal and state grant programs specifically aimed at closing coverage gaps in underserved areas. Through coordinated funding strategies, agencies are pushing high-speed internet deeper into regions that have long lacked reliable access.

State and Federal Grant Programs Accelerating Expansion

Various funding vehicles support broadband infrastructure across rural America, and North Carolina is no exception. Several major programs are driving deployment:

Grant Awards Secured by Focus Broadband

Since 2020, Focus Broadband has garnered more than $115 million in state and federal broadband grant funding. In 2022 alone, the provider received a $24 million grant through the NC GREAT program, enabling the extension of high-speed fiber internet to over 8,500 previously unserved homes and businesses across Pender, Columbus, and Robeson counties.

Additional grant success came through the USDA ReConnect Program, with Focus Broadband securing $7.9 million to expand service throughout rural Brunswick County. These funds support the deployment of FTTH (Fiber-to-the-Home) technology, wiring the region to deliver symmetrical gigabit speeds. Long stretches of backroad farmland and remote river communities are now part of the modern broadband grid.

The FCC's Rural Digital Opportunity Fund in North Carolina

The FCC launched the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) in 2020 to inject $20.4 billion into closing the digital divide. In Phase I, awarded through competitive reverse auction, Focus Broadband secured funding to serve over 25,000 locations in southeastern North Carolina. This added more than $43 million in federal investment to their regional network plan.

Every location targeted by RDOF must receive broadband access capable of at least 100/20 Mbps, with a preference for 1 Gbps symmetrical service. Focus Broadband committed to delivering fiber-optic infrastructure, surpassing minimum thresholds and aligning with long-term infrastructure reliability goals set by the FCC.

The combined force of these funding sources has allowed Focus Broadband to scale efficiently, moving from isolated fiber pockets to seamless coverage zones. Public investment not only reduces capital risk—it accelerates timelines and enables comprehensive service delivery where residential density alone might not merit private deployment.

Public-Private Partnerships: The Power of Collaboration

Accelerating Infrastructure through Joint Efforts

When local governments join forces with private providers like Focus Broadband North Carolina, broadband infrastructure expands faster, smarter, and with broader community impact. These public-private partnerships (PPPs) streamline everything—from permitting processes to funding allocation—removing longstanding barriers to rural connectivity.

By tapping into local government knowledge and leveraging the agility of private enterprise, these partnerships reduce deployment delays and ensure fiber networks reach the most underserved populations. Municipalities contribute access to public rights-of-way and strategic insight, while Focus Broadband brings decades of technical experience, supply chain access, and operational capacity.

Real-World Implementation in North Carolina

In Columbus County, Focus Broadband worked in collaboration with local officials to secure state and federal broadband grants. This led to the successful launch of multi-million-dollar projects that extended fiber-to-the-home services into isolated rural communities, some of which had no reliable internet previously. Unlike solo ventures, these partnerships unlocked matching funds and state approval in record time.

Elsewhere in Brunswick and Robeson Counties, public engagement helped identify priority areas for expansion, with county governments contributing vital GIS data and outreach support. These coordinated strategies allowed Focus Broadband to hit target installation deadlines and maximize Federal Communications Commission (FCC) funding impact.

Who Gains from Public-Private Collaboration?

Taxpayers benefit directly when infrastructure projects are completed on budget and ahead of schedule. Shared costs mean lower investment risk for both entities, which translates into faster return on investment and more sustainable pricing models for customers. End users receive reliable, high-speed internet, enabling remote work, telehealth, and online education—without waiting for years of bureaucratic planning cycles.

Collaboration amplifies impact. When public intent and private action align, communities connect to more than just the internet—they gain access to opportunity, progress, and inclusion.

Unleashing Business Potential Through High-Speed Connectivity

Driving Local Economies with Fast and Reliable Internet

In rural North Carolina, broadband is more than a utility—it's a growth engine. With access to high-speed internet from Focus Broadband, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and remote workers are transforming the economic prospects of their communities. Whether it’s digital storefronts, cloud-based logistics, or online customer service, businesses no longer face limitations once bound by geography.

Consistent, low-latency connections open doors to e-commerce, remote collaboration, and digital marketing—all essential in a competitive marketplace. For startups and expanding enterprises, this means faster time-to-market and increased operational efficiency. For customers, the result is improved service, reliability, and engagement across industries from retail to agriculture.

Small Businesses Thriving on the Network

Across Columbus County and adjacent rural areas, businesses are rewiring their futures through robust broadband services. Take for instance a family-run farm near Tabor City that now uses connected sensors for precision agriculture—boosting yields while reducing overhead. Or a boutique marketing agency in Whiteville serving national clients through seamless video conferencing and swift content delivery.

Many of these ventures began modestly, constrained by dial-up or unreliable satellite solutions. With the arrival of fiber from Focus Broadband, the shift has been immediate and measurable: quicker transactions, higher customer satisfaction, and broader market reach without leaving Main Street.

Solutions for Entrepreneurs and Growing Enterprises

Focus Broadband delivers more than connectivity—it offers business-grade tools tailored for modern demands. Services include symmetrical gigabit internet, dedicated IP addresses, VoIP telephony systems, and scalable commercial packages that adjust as companies grow. For entrepreneurs building from the ground up, access to dedicated support teams ensures expert advice and rapid issue resolution.

These offerings help rural businesses compete with urban counterparts, attract new revenue sources, and scale without relocating. As more North Carolina communities connect, the landscape for business innovation continues to evolve—powered by fiber, driven by ambition.

Empowering Communities through Digital Equity and Inclusion

Redefining Access: What Digital Equity Means for North Carolinians

Digital equity ensures every community member—regardless of income, geography, age, or ability—has the tools and skills to participate fully in digital life. Focus Broadband in North Carolina actively integrates this principle into its operations, not as a side effort, but as a core mission. By shaping outreach programs, training initiatives, and infrastructure upgrades around equity, the provider changes how rural communities engage with the online world.

Focused Outreach, Training, and Empowerment Programs

In southeastern North Carolina, Focus Broadband has implemented hands-on digital literacy programs targeting underserved populations. Through partnerships with local libraries, senior centers, and K–12 schools, the company offers:

These programs have already reached thousands. In Columbus County, outreach initiatives in collaboration with local nonprofits helped over 1,200 residents gain the digital skills necessary to find employment, manage healthcare, and navigate education platforms.

Affordability and Accessibility: Real Solutions for Real Homes

Fast doesn’t mean expensive. Focus Broadband offers tiered pricing models, ensuring affordability without compromising quality. Through federal programs like the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), qualifying households receive up to $30 per month in subsidies, effectively reducing or eliminating their monthly broadband cost.

Accessibility extends beyond price—it’s about infrastructure, too. Focus Broadband deploys fiber-optic infrastructure to previously unserved or underserved areas across rural North Carolina. From dense town clusters to remote farmland, more than 35,000 previously disconnected homes and businesses now have consistent, high-speed internet access.

The strategy works because it recognizes the uniqueness of each local community. A one-size-fits-all model won’t suffice. Instead, initiatives evolve based on resident feedback, utilization data, and civic input.

Driving Inclusion Through Transparency and Participation

Focus Broadband invites community members to town hall meetings, where plans for broadband expansion and digital inclusion programs are openly discussed. These forums create transparency but also foster ownership—giving families, educators, and community leaders a role in shaping how the internet reaches and serves them.

From Cherokee to Brunswick County, the message is clear: equitable access builds stronger, more resilient communities. Focus Broadband’s methods demonstrate this every day—through fiber, through people, through shared commitment.

Community Internet Initiatives for Lasting Impact

Focus Broadband’s work in North Carolina doesn’t end with laying fiber. At the heart of their strategy lies a commitment to community-driven connectivity, where local initiatives receive both guidance and resources. These efforts translate into sustainable digital access for residents who once faced technological isolation.

Grassroots Programs that Drive Real Change

Across rural counties from Columbus to Bladen and Brunswick, Focus Broadband has cultivated partnerships with local governments, school boards, and civic groups. In many cases, county-level broadband commissions have worked directly with the provider to identify unserved pockets and fast-track expansion projects. Through these collaborations, underserved sectors of the population now benefit from reliable, high-speed internet access—transforming how they learn, work, and care for their health.

Institutions Transformed by New Connectivity

Local schools now operate with enhanced digital classroom capabilities. For instance, East Columbus Junior-Senior High School reports a 65% increase in student engagement for online assignments following infrastructure upgrades powered by Focus Broadband.

The Bladen County Public Library, once limited to five aging desktop terminals, now offers 60 Mbps fiber-backed Wi-Fi throughout the facility. This upgrade has tripled foot traffic during peak afternoon hours, with residents arriving to apply for jobs, complete homework, or access telehealth appointments.

Rural health facilities, such as the Waccamaw Family Center, utilize enhanced broadband to support telemedicine access across multiple counties. Physicians report fewer dropped calls and faster video consultation load times, contributing directly to improved patient follow-up compliance.

Voices from the Field

Dr. Beth Martin, Superintendent of Columbus County Schools, explains: “Prior to fiber connectivity, our online platforms were lagging and inconsistent. Now, students in the most remote areas are logging in without issue. Attendance and participation are up—especially in virtual enrichment programs.”

Jason Fields, Director of the Bladen County Library System, adds: “This partnership with Focus Broadband changes everything. We’re no longer just a place for books—we’re a full digital access hub.”

And Linda Hayes, community advocate in Brunswick County, captures the broader sentiment: “When neighbors have access, everything else becomes possible. Education, employment, connection—it all starts with the internet.”

Driving Digital Progress in North Carolina, One Connection at a Time

Focus Broadband has reshaped the landscape of internet access across Columbus County and beyond. With a proactive approach to rural connectivity, the organization has transformed digital deserts into thriving, connected communities. Fiber infrastructure, state and federal partnerships, and local engagement aren’t just bullet points on a grant report — they’ve become the backbone of accessibility, learning, and commerce in Eastern North Carolina.

In places previously underserved or completely left out of the broadband map, residents now stream, learn, work, and grow businesses online. The ripple effect touches every corner of daily life, from classrooms running virtual lessons to farms using smart-tech tools powered by high-speed internet. This future-driven approach continues to reframe what's possible in rural areas once constrained by outdated infrastructure.

Digital equity isn't a finish line. It's a process — and Focus Broadband is leading the charge. From its headquarters in Columbus County to tower installations in neighboring regions, the mission remains consistent: close the broadband gap and give every household, school, and business a fair shot at digital success.

Want to be part of the movement?

Every mile of fiber laid, every home connected, and every grant funded extends North Carolina's capacity to thrive in a digital world. Focus Broadband doesn't just install internet — it builds opportunity.