SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
MONTGOMERY — Governor Kay Ivey has announced federal approval of Alabama’s final broadband expansion plan, unlocking nearly $460 million to bring high-speed internet to underserved communities — including several areas across North Alabama.
The funding, part of the federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, will support 63 projects statewide, expanding service to about 92,000 unserved locations.
While the investment marks a major step toward closing Alabama’s digital divide, Huntsville and Madison County were not included in this round — largely because those areas already have widespread broadband access.
North Alabama Sees Targeted Investments
Several rural and underserved communities across North Alabama will benefit from the expansion:
*Lawrence County (Moulton area) — 658 locations will gain access through Premier Broadband
*Morgan County (Decatur area) — 105 locations targeted by AT&T
*Jackson County (Scottsboro area) — 260 locations to be served through SpaceX satellite service
*DeKalb County (Fort Payne area) — 322 locations through Farmers Telecommunications
*Marshall County (Albertville/Guntersville area) — 273 locations through Farmers Telecommunications
*Etowah County (Gadsden area) — 1,194 locations through Comcast
*Lauderdale County (Florence area) — 1,190 locations through Comcast
*Colbert County (Muscle Shoals area) — 1,042 locations through Comcast
*Winston County (Double Springs area) — 245 locations through SpaceX
Additional nearby counties like Cullman, Blount and Walker will also see expanded access.
Bridging the Rural Gap
State leaders say the focus is on reaching communities that have long struggled with limited or no internet access.
“Reliable high-speed internet is essential for education, healthcare and economic growth,” Governor Ivey said. “This plan ensures more Alabama families and businesses can compete and succeed.”
Most of the projects — about 71% — will use fiber, the fastest and most reliable technology. Others will rely on low-Earth orbit satellite systems and hybrid infrastructure to reach harder-to-serve areas.
A Step Toward Full Coverage
Since 2017, Alabama has invested heavily in broadband expansion through state and federal partnerships. With this latest funding, officials say the state is now on track to achieve full broadband coverage under federal guidelines.
Notably, officials estimate more than $800 million of the original $1.4 billion allocation will remain unused, potentially opening the door for future investments in digital infrastructure and services.
What It Means for North Alabama
For much of North Alabama, especially rural counties, the expansion could be transformative — improving access to telehealth, remote learning, job opportunities and business growth.
However, the absence of Huntsville highlights a growing divide — not between connected and unconnected regions, but between fully built-out cities and rural communities still catching up.
State officials say contracts for the approved projects are now being finalized, with construction expected to follow.