Government Relations

Brightspeed is partnering with state and local governments just like yours to bring quality internet to rural and suburban communities, empowering them to accomplish what’s important—from working to learning, telemedicine to entertainment.

This is how, together, we can help Americans bridge the digital divide.

We are Brightspeed.

On August 3, 2021, Apollo Global Management, Inc. and Lumen announced that funds managed by Apollo had entered into an agreement to acquire Lumen’s ILEC assets and all associated operations across 20 states for $7.5 billion. And Brightspeed was born.

Download details

Internet equals opportunity.

When you partner with us, your constituents will have greater access to remote jobs, online education, and telemedicine care. Hear how Brightspeed is reshaping internet to provide opportunities and transform lives.

How we get there, together.

Through community engagement, we’ll work with states and counties to address their broadband needs. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and Brightspeed is ready to be a leader in developing solutions that bring quality internet to all.

Information

Brightspeed believes in Alabama’s great potential, and we are excited to share in its growth and development by helping to bridge the broadband gap for the almost 19% of addresses in Alabama that lack access to at least 100/20 Mbps service. We are committed to our own fiber-based network investment in Alabama, and equally excited by the opportunity to partner with the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). This is a once in a generation opportunity and Brightspeed will be a leader in developing solutions that benefit our customers, and the cities, counties, and state of Alabama. A quality internet connection has never been more important, whether for work, health care, or education, and it is Brightspeed’s mission to bring fiber-based broadband to our customers in Alabama.

Brightspeed will aggressively seek public funding to support fiber builds that go beyond our initial fiber build plans to help close the rural – urban digital divide in Arkansas.  We are excited to work with key stakeholders at state, county, and city levels to expand fiber broadband in our serving territory through the Arkansas Rural Connect program, and through other opportunities as they arise.  This is a once in a generation opportunity and Brightspeed will be a leader in developing solutions that benefit our customers, and the cities, counties, and state of Arkansas. A quality internet connection has never been more important, whether for work, health care, or education, and it is Brightspeed’s mission to bring fiber-based broadband to our customers in Arkansas.

Brightspeed will aggressively seek funding that goes beyond our initial build plans to close the rural – urban digital divide. We are excited to work with key stakeholders at state, county, and city levels to expand fiber broadband in Georgia through participation in state and federal broadband infrastructure grant programs as they arise. This is a once in a generation opportunity and Brightspeed will be a leader in developing solutions that best benefit our customers, and the cities, counties, and state of Georgia. A quality internet connection has never been more important, whether for work, health care, or education, and it is Brightspeed’s mission to bring fiber-based broadband to our customers in Georgia.

Brightspeed will aggressively seek public funding that goes beyond our initial fiber build plans to close the rural – urban digital divide. We are excited to work with key stakeholders at city, county, and state levels, including the Office of Community & Rural Affairs (OCRA), to expand fiber broadband in Indiana through participation in state and federal broadband infrastructure grant programs as they arise. This is a once in a generation opportunity and Brightspeed will be a leader in developing solutions that best benefit our customers, and the cities, counties, and state of Indiana. A quality internet connection has never been more important, whether for work, health care, or education, and it is Brightspeed’s mission to bring fiber-based broadband to our customers in Indiana.

Brightspeed will aggressively seek public funding to support fiber builds that go beyond our initial fiber build plans to help close the rural – urban digital divide in Illinois.  We are excited to work with key stakeholders at state, county, and city levels to expand fiber broadband in our serving territory through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Broadband Connect Illinois grant program, and through other opportunities as they arise.  This is a once in a generation opportunity and Brightspeed will be a leader in developing solutions that best benefit our customers, and the cities, counties, and state of Illinois.  A quality internet connection has never been more important, whether for work, health care, or education, and it is Brightspeed’s mission to bring fiber-based broadband to our customers in Illinois.

Brightspeed previously announced plans to invest more than $2 billion in its fiber optics transformation over its 20-state footprint, which is expected to reach up to 3 million homes and businesses over the next five years, including many locations where fiber and advanced technology have not historically been deployed.  Brightspeed will work with key stakeholders at state, county, and city levels to expand fiber broadband in Kansas through participation in state and federal broadband infrastructure grant programs as they arise.

Brightspeed will aggressively seek funding that goes beyond our initial build plans to close the rural – urban digital divide.  We are excited to work with key stakeholders at state, county, and city levels to expand fiber broadband in our serving territory through the GUMBO program, and through other opportunities as they arise.  This is a once in a generation opportunity and Brightspeed will be a leader in developing solutions that best benefit our customers, and the cities, counties, and the state of Louisiana. A quality internet connection has never been more important, whether for work, health care, or education, and it is Brightspeed’s mission to bring fiber-based broadband to our customers in Louisiana.

Brightspeed will aggressively seek public funding that goes beyond our initial fiber build plans to close the rural – urban digital divide. We are excited to work with key stakeholders at city, county, and state levels, including the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI), to expand fiber broadband in Michigan through participation in state and federal broadband infrastructure grant programs as they arise. This is a once in a generation opportunity and Brightspeed will be a leader in developing solutions that best benefit our customers, and the cities, counties, and state of Michigan. A quality internet connection has never been more important, whether for work, health care, or education, and it is Brightspeed’s mission to bring fiber-based broadband to our customers in Michigan.

Brightspeed will aggressively seek funding that goes beyond our initial build plans to close the rural – urban digital divide. We are excited to work with key stakeholders at state, county, and city levels to expand fiber broadband in Mississippi through participation in state and federal broadband infrastructure grant programs as they arise. This is a once in a generation opportunity and Brightspeed will be a leader in developing solutions that best benefit our customers, and the cities, counties, and state of Mississippi. A quality internet connection has never been more important, whether for work, health care, or education, and it is Brightspeed’s mission to bring fiber-based broadband to our customers in Mississippi.

Brightspeed will aggressively seek funding that goes beyond our initial build plans to close the rural – urban digital divide.  We are excited to work with key stakeholders at state, county, and city levels to expand fiber broadband in our serving territory through the Missouri Department of Economic Development Broadband Infrastructure grant program, and through other opportunities as they arise.  This is a once in a generation opportunity and Brightspeed will be a leader in developing solutions that best benefit our customers, and the cities, counties, and state of Missouri. A quality internet connection has never been more important, whether for work, health care, or education, and it is Brightspeed’s mission to bring fiber-based broadband to our customers in Missouri.

Brightspeed will aggressively seek public funding that goes beyond our initial fiber build plans to close the digital divide in New Jersey. We are excited to work with key stakeholders at state, county, and city levels to expand fiber broadband in New Jersey through participation in state and federal broadband infrastructure grant programs as they arise. Brightspeed will continue working with the state’s Broadband Access Study Commission to maximize the effectiveness of its broadband programs.   This is a once in a generation opportunity and Brightspeed will be a leader in developing solutions that best benefit our customers, and the cities, counties, and state of New Jersey. A quality internet connection has never been more important, whether for work, health care, or education, and it is Brightspeed’s mission to bring fiber-based broadband to our customers in rural, northern New Jersey.

Brightspeed will aggressively seek funding that goes beyond our initial build plans to close the rural – urban digital divide. We are excited to work with key stakeholders at state, county, and city levels to expand fiber broadband in North Carolina through participation in state and federal broadband infrastructure grant programs as they arise. This is a once in a generation opportunity and Brightspeed will be a leader in developing solutions that best benefit our customers, and the cities, counties, and state of North Carolina. A quality internet connection has never been more important, whether for work, health care, or education, and it is Brightspeed’s mission to bring fiber-based broadband to our customers in North Carolina.

Brightspeed will aggressively seek public funding that goes beyond our initial fiber build plans to bridge the broadband gap in Ohio. We are excited to work with key stakeholders like BroadbandOhio at state, county, and city levels to expand fiber broadband in Ohio through participation in state and federal broadband infrastructure grant programs as they arise. This is a once in a generation opportunity and Brightspeed will be a leader in developing solutions that best benefit our customers, and the cities, counties, and state of Ohio. A quality internet connection has never been more important, whether for work, health care, or education, and it is Brightspeed’s mission to bring fiber-based broadband to our customers in Ohio.

Brightspeed will aggressively seek funding that goes beyond our initial build plans to close the rural – urban digital divide. We are excited to work with key stakeholders at state, county, and city levels to expand fiber broadband in Oklahoma through participation in state and federal broadband infrastructure grant programs as they arise through the Oklahoma state Broadband office.   This is a once in a generation opportunity and Brightspeed will be a leader in developing solutions that best benefit our customers, and the cities, counties, and state of Oklahoma. A quality internet connection has never been more important, whether for work, health care, or education, and it is Brightspeed’s mission to bring fiber-based broadband to our customers in Oklahoma.

Brightspeed will aggressively seek public funding that goes beyond our initial fiber build plans to reach even more unserved areas, especially in rural Pennsylvania. We are excited to work with key stakeholders at city, county, and state levels, including the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority, to expand fiber broadband in Pennsylvania through participation in state and federal broadband infrastructure grant programs as they arise. This is a once in a generation opportunity and Brightspeed will be a leader in developing solutions that best benefit our customers, and the cities, counties, and state of Pennsylvania. A quality internet connection has never been more important, whether for work, health care, or education, and it is Brightspeed’s mission to bring fiber-based broadband to our customers in Pennsylvania.

Brightspeed will aggressively seek funding that goes beyond our initial build plans to close the rural – urban digital divide. We are excited to work with key stakeholders at state, county, and city levels to expand fiber broadband in South Carolina through participation in state and federal broadband infrastructure grant programs as they arise. This is a once in a generation opportunity and Brightspeed will be a leader in developing solutions that best benefit our customers, and the cities, counties, and state of South Carolina. A quality internet connection has never been more important, whether for work, health care, or education, and it is Brightspeed’s mission to bring fiber-based broadband to our customers in South Carolina.

Brightspeed will aggressively seek funding that goes beyond our initial build plans to close the rural – urban digital divide. We are excited to work with key stakeholders at state, county, and city levels to expand fiber broadband in Tennessee through participation in state and federal broadband infrastructure grant programs as they arise. This is a once in a generation opportunity and Brightspeed will be a leader in developing solutions that best benefit our customers, and the cities, counties, and state of Tennessee. A quality internet connection has never been more important, whether for work, health care, or education, and it is Brightspeed’s mission to bring fiber-based broadband to our customers in Tennessee.

Brightspeed will aggressively seek funding that goes beyond our initial build plans to close the rural – urban digital divide.  We are excited to work with key stakeholders at state, county, and city levels to expand fiber broadband in Texas through participation in state and federal broadband infrastructure grant programs as they arise.  This is a once in a generation opportunity and Brightspeed will be a leader in developing solutions that best benefit our customers, and the cities, counties, and state of Texas. A quality internet connection has never been more important, whether for work, health care, or education, and it is Brightspeed’s mission to bring fiber-based broadband to our customers in Texas.

Brightspeed will aggressively seek funding that goes beyond our initial build plans to close the rural – urban digital divide. We are excited to work with key stakeholders at state, county, and city levels to expand fiber broadband in Virginia through participation in state and federal broadband infrastructure grant programs as they arise. This is a once in a generation opportunity and Brightspeed will be a leader in developing solutions that best benefit our customers, and the cities, counties, and state of Virginia. A quality internet connection has never been more important, whether for work, health care, or education, and it is Brightspeed’s mission to bring fiber-based broadband to our customers in Virginia.

Brightspeed will aggressively seek funding that goes beyond our initial build plans to close the rural – urban digital divide. We are excited to work with key stakeholders at state, county, and city levels to expand fiber broadband in Wisconsin through participation in state and federal broadband infrastructure grant programs as they arise. This is a once in a generation opportunity and Brightspeed will be a leader in developing solutions that best benefit our customers, and the cities, counties, and state of Wisconsin. A quality internet connection has never been more important, whether for work, health care, or education, and it is Brightspeed’s mission to bring fiber-based broadband to our customers in Wisconsin.

Investment in fiber unlocks possibilities.

Improve Lives

Fast, reliable internet empowers people to work from home, take control of their health through telemedicine, learn something they’ve always wanted to through online education, and more.

Enhance American competitiveness

When local businesses and entrepreneurs go digital, they can bring their products and services to the world.

Create jobs

We're investing in local economies where we build. It’s Brightspeed’s mission to employ talented people from the communities we’re also serving.

Continuing to support communities.

We are commited to transition without disruption not only our customers, but for employees too. Brightspeed has no plans to reduce the ILEC workforce and will continue to follow all the current regulatory requirements, labor contracts, and pension plans.

Contact us

Please reach out to us for more information: 
governmentrelations@brightspeed.com