Bridging the Digital Divide: Spectrum’s Broadband Expansion in Florence County, SC

This case study highlights Spectrum’s ongoing efforts to expand broadband access in South Carolina through public-private partnerships. One of its most notable projects in the Southeast has been in Florence County, South Carolina, where nearly $14 million was invested in broadband expansion. This initiative not only improves connectivity for thousands of residents and businesses but also marks one of the first large-scare deployments of Spectrum’s in-house underground construction capabilities, streamlining network installation.

Founded in 1993 in St. Louis, Missouri, Charter Communications (“Charter”) is a Fortune 500 broadband connectivity company serving nearly 57 million customers across 41 states. Operating under Spectrum, Charter provides internet, TV, mobile, and voice services to residential and business customers. The company has been actively involved in broadband expansion initiatives beginning in 2017 with an initial $25 billion investment to improve broadband infrastructure and technology over a four year period. In 2021, Charter invested $5 billion to further expand its buildout initiative to deliver broadband access to over 1 million unserved customers in 24 states. Spectrum has also secured over $700 million in state subsidies, which, along with its own investment, will help provide high-speed internet access to an additional 300,000 homes and small business.

In South Carolina, Charter has leveraged public-private partnerships to expand broadband access. For example, in a recent project in 2024, Spectrum was able to provide broadband service in the Town of Norway to more than 575 homes and small businesses, which was “one of the last two main streets in the state without service”. The funding was supported by the Capital Projects Fund administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury and matched by Spectrum for a total project cost of $2.2 million.

Another example of its efforts to expand broadband access within South Carolina can be seen within Florence County. Through a partnership with the Florence County Council, nearly $14 million was invested to provide broadband and other essential services to over 3,300 homes and small businesses within the County. The Florence County Council contributed $4.5 million in American Rescue Plan funding, while Spectrum invested $9.3 million in support of this effort. In addition to this public-private partnership, Spectrum is aligning its Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) buildout to deploy broadband to an additional 2,800 homes and business in the county, as a part of its broader commitment in connecting rural areas.

Notably, Florence County was one of the first projects in which Spectrum used its new in-house underground construction capabilities. This multimillion-dollar investment enables the company to conduct underground trenching and fiber-optic installation more efficiently, reducing reliance on external contractors and accelerating broadband expansion. Florence County Council Chairman Willard Dorriety Jr. described this approach to expanding high-speed internet access as a “game changer” for local families and businesses, while Council Member Jason Springs emphasized the importance of broadband expansion in supporting economic growth in rural communities.

The partnership between Spectrum and Florence County exemplifies how public-private collaborations can drive meaningful progress in broadband expansion. The initiative in Florence County improved connectivity for over 3,300 homes and small businesses while also contributing to South Carolina’s broader efforts to bridge the digital divide. As of June 30, 2024, approximately 128,149 residential and 22,554 business locations, impacting around 350,424 residents in South Carolina, lacked broadband access. However, with ongoing construction projects, the total number of underserved locations is expected to drop to 31,746 by December 2030 . Florence County’s success should serve as a model for targeted investments and strong local partnerships to foster economic development, enhance digital equity, and expand essential services statewide.

Amina Cecunjanin-Music is a 2L at New York Law School.