Segra, the fiber infrastructure provider and business unit of Cox Communications (see "Cox to acquire Segra's commercial enterprise and carrier fiber business"), says it is providing fiber-based infrastructure and services in the Carolinas in support of Open Broadband, which delivers broadband services based on fixed wireless access (FWA). Open Broadband is using Segra to supply the circuits necessary to connect buildings and cellular towers within its service areas in the two states.
Open Broadband focuses on underserved areas and currently serves 15 counties in North Carolina and five counties in South Carolina with the help of Segra. In several locations, it offers free public WiFi. “We could not do this without Segra,” said Alan Fitzpatrick, founder and CEO of Open Broadband. “They are such a critical partner to us because if we didn’t have that fiber access or internet connection, we couldn’t do what we are doing in connecting the underserved.”
“We began working with Open Broadband shortly after their inception in late 2017, providing fiber, internet, and data center infrastructure to them,” commented Ted Marshall, senior national account executive at Segra. “We serve them across the Carolinas, and currently have over 15 circuits in the Charlotte area alone and continue to foster new partnerships and projects with them here and in other areas.”
Headquartered near Charlotte, NC, Open Broadband also serves communities in Florida and Virginia.
Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director & Associate Publisher
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, DOCSIS technology, and more.