Alcorn County Electric Shatters Digital Divide with Multi-Gigabit Broadband Delivery to Rural Mississippi

CORINTH, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Alcorn County Electric Power Association (ACE) has changed the game on rural broadband delivery with its introduction of multi-gigabit services at very affordable rates. ACE is the first electric cooperative in its region to offer multi-gigabit services. This achievement overcomes the digital divide for its membership, as well as raises the bar for all broadband providers everywhere. ADTRAN’s (NASDAQ: ADTN) XGS-PON technology lies at the heart of ACE’s multi-gigabit strategy, economically delivering up to 10G service across the entire ACE footprint, ensuring every customer has access to the best broadband experience possible.

“Quality broadband is essential for our membership, and for years we have watched the digital divide grow wider,” said Sean McGrath, CFO of ACE. “Recent events have reinforced the need for a robust broadband infrastructure. We enlisted FiberRise, and its partner ADTRAN, to help us address our community’s needs with a sustainable broadband strategy. Our multi-gig approach and superior customer experience provide the advantages we need to compete and succeed for the long term.”

For ACE’s network growth plans, it relied on FiberRise to provide the engineering, procurement and construction management, and on ADTRAN for its advanced network technology and exceptional customer service.

“We are thrilled to support ACE and other electric cooperatives with advanced broadband technology that is economical and scalable,” said Brian Efimetz, Regional Vice President of Service Provider Sales at ** ADTRAN . “For communities like those in Alcorn County, broadband will make a significant difference in their ability to connect with healthcare and educational resources, leverage smart equipment for more efficient farming and attract more residents to the area. Our goal is to continue to support ACE with the solutions that maintain its networking advantage in support of revenue-generating services and thriving communities.”

ACE is leveraging ADTRAN’s XGS-PON to immediately offer 2G services—a speed double the existing support of major cable and major fiber providers in the area. The new broadband network will encompass all of Alcorn County, Mississippi, providing connectivity for the local businesses, manufacturing plants, farms, hospitals, schools and residents. ACE can uniquely support both mass-market residential broadband and lucrative enterprise connectivity utilizing XGS-PON’s disruptive economics and higher network capacity compared to older fiber access technologies.

• About FiberRise *

FiberRise, LLC enables electric utilities to implement and maintain fiber infrastructure with complete business visibility and simplicity in the delivery of broadband services. FiberRise serves electrical cooperatives and investor-owned utilities throughout the South and has a proven track record of winning state and federal grant awards for its customers, including CAF, CAF II and Reconnect programs. FiberRise manages fiber projects from inception and construction through operations and maintenance with high-touch service and support. FiberRise focuses on quality of life by helping to make broadband affordable and accessible to all.