SkyBest Communications Expands Fiber-optic Services in Avery County, NC
SkyLine’s wholly-owned subsidiary, SkyBest Communications is preparing to launch service from their new Riverside remote building in Avery County, making a major milestone in expanding broadband availability through two rounds of Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) grants awarded by the North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT).
“Just seven years ago, affordable and reliable internet access for every home in Avery County felt out of reach,” says Avery County Manager, Phillip Barrier. “Today, thanks to a powerful partnership between our county government and the compassionate commitment of SkyLine/SkyBest, that dream is becoming a reality.”
The Riverside remote will serve more than 300 grant recipients while also passing many additional homes and businesses who can now experience high-speed internet with SkyLine/SkyBest. The new remote location extends service into the southern tip of 19E, an area where SkyBest was previously awarded funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission to reach unserved and underserved locations.
Through the first two rounds of funding, SkyBest Communications, was awarded nearly $10 million in total support to expand high-speed broadband to Avery County. Combined, these investments are bringing fiber to more than 1,700 eligible locations.
“This isn’t just about internet service. This is about connection, opportunity and equity for Avery County,” says Barrier.
For those interested in areas included in the project:
- Please visit fiber.skybest.com. Enter your street address and zip code. If you are included in the grant area, you will receive the following message at the top of the web form: “Yes! It looks like your address is an eligible address within the NCDIT Completing Access to Broadband project for Avery County. Please continue to the next page to enter your contact information. We will use the email you provide to reach out to you with occasional project updates. Constructing fiber in rural areas is a lengthy process, and we appreciate your patience as we expand our fiber-optic network to your community.”
- Call 1-800-759-2226.
“We are proud to help bridge the digital divide in the remaining parts of Avery County and move one step forward in ensuring everyone in the High Country has access to reliable broadband,” says Shepherd.
About SkyLine
As one of North Carolina’s largest telecommunications cooperatives, SkyLine Membership Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiary, SkyBest Communications, deliver advanced communications and technology solutions across an expanding network in northwest North Carolina and east/middle Tennessee. With more than 70 years of service to the High Country, SkyLine/SkyBest provides fiber-based, symmetrical Gig Broadband, Voice, Business Communications, Network and Hosting Solutions, Business Phone Systems, Monitored Security and Surveillance services. Along with its investment in building a fiber-based infrastructure and national designation as a Smart Rural Community and Gig-capable broadband provider, SkyLine is committed to its member communities through numerous charitable, educational and economic development programs.
