Alabama has moved from 47th in connectivity to 24th

The state of Alabama has made tremendous strides in getting broadband deeper into the interior of the state. Alabama's politicians liked to talk about rural broadband; but it was progressing at a snail's pace until the state got involved in an effort led by Governor Kay Ivey, former State Senator Clay Scofield (R-Guntersville), and Rep. Randall Shedd (R-Fairview). That effort – bolstered by hundreds of millions of federal dollars – is really starting to make progress as Alabama has gone from being the 47th most connected state to the 24th.

Gov. Ivey celebrated that success at a recent event in Cullman on July 11. The event celebrated the activation of the first hub in the Alabama Fiber Network near the Cullman Electric Cooperative substation in Fairview.

"When I first came into office, Alabama was the 47th state in the country for broadband internet. Today we are twenty-fourth," Gov. Ivey said. "In 2024 we must strive for full connectivity."

Economic Developer Dr. Nicole Jones Wadsworth said, "Broadband internet is a request that virtually every major business desires when locating within Alabama. Access to high-speed internet/fiber increases our state's ability to recruit jobs, improve healthcare, and enhance educational opportunities for students. In 2017, Alabama ranked 47th in internet connectivity. Through partnerships between the public and private sector, our state now ranks 24th and desires to continue in an upward trajectory.

The AFN is a public/private sector coalition which currently involves eight electric co-ops, their subsidiaries and key industry partners. Once completed, its Middle Mile network will span more than 5,000 miles and will deliver reliable high speed internet to each of the state's 67 counties.

The Alabama Fiber Network (AFN) consists of a eight electric co-ops along with their subsidiaries and partners - all dedicated to delivering a state-of-the-art, middle-mile broadband network across Alabama. The goal of AFN's 5,000-mile, middle-mile fiber network is to furnish direct, high-speed connections to companies that provide last-mile broadband service directly to Alabama residential areas as well as commercial entities.

The network follows the I-65 corridor north to south.

The internet is increasingly used to order goods, groceries, and services; to fill out job applications; for businesses to communicate with suppliers, customers, and employees; for telehealth; for students to do homework assignments and communicate with teachers; and for news and information like reading the Alabama Gazette. Consistent, reliable internet access is increasingly a necessity even for persons living in rural areas.

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