Jackson County is committed to providing reliable internet access for all residents. Through grant funding and partnerships with service providers, key programs like the GREAT Grant, Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), and Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) are driving high-speed internet expansion across the county.
Stay informed on ongoing initiatives, project updates, and resources that address connectivity challenges and improve digital literacy. Even if your address isn’t listed on a service map, providers may still extend coverage to your area. Explore the Grant Projects below to learn more and get involved in creating a more connected community.
Take the NC Broadband Survey
The North Carolina Department of Information and Technology (NCDIT) is conducting a broadband survey to identify areas that still need adequate internet access. Please complete the survey today to help identify areas of need.
What is Broadband
Broadband is high-speed internet with minimum speeds of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload. It includes technologies like DSL, cable, fiber, wireless, satellite, and broadband over powerlines (BPL).
Projects funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law require speeds of at least 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, scalable to 100 Mbps for both by December 31, 2026.
InMyArea.com and BroadbandNow.com - Website resources that allow residents to input their zip code or address to get a comprehensive list of providers, contacts, and even basic details of plan offerings.
NC OneMap - NC OneMap Broadband is an online tool that details broadband availability across North Carolina. It maps locations and provides information on grants and funding to support broadband expansion.
NCDIT Broadband Infrastructure Office - The North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) Broadband Infrastructure Office leads the broadband infrastructure development statewide. The office also provides guidance on grants and funding to help communities and organizations improve broadband access.
Calling all Jackson County Homeowner's Associations
As internet expands across the county, HOAs play a key role in deployment. Providers must contact HOAs before installation, so accurate contact information is essential for ensuring your HOA receives service.
https://forms.gle/4wwunEcdjf9tjoY79
GREAT Grants:
Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) grants were established by the North Carolina legislature and are administered by the N.C. Broadband Infrastructure Office. This competitive grant program funds the deployment of last-mile broadband infrastructure. Jackson County collaborates with Spectrum (Charter Communications) and Balsam West for these grants. For more details on GREAT grants, visit the N.C. Broadband website.
RDOF:
The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) is an FCC program funding broadband in underserved rural areas, with no direct cost to the County.
To check if your residence will receive broadband through RDOF:
For more details, visit Spectrum's website.
STATUS: In Progress
11,128 Passings (locations, homes, business, etc.):
Project Areas:
Throughout Jackson County
CAB Program:
The Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) program collaborates with the county and the N.C. Department of Information Technology to identify eligible project areas and jointly work toward broadband deployment. The CAB program complements the GREAT Grant program by providing solutions for areas not covered by GREAT grants. Learn more about the CAB program.
Stop Gap Grants:
The Broadband Stop Gap Solutions Program (Stop Gap) provides funding for unserved or underserved areas through the GREAT grants or the CAB program. For more information on Stop Gap grants, visit the N.C. Broadband website.
As Jackson County continues its efforts to expand broadband access, it's important to stay vigilant against potential scammers. Here are some tips to protect yourself and ensure you are dealing with legitimate service providers and representatives:
1. Verify Identity:
2. Confirm Notifications:
3. Contact Information:
4. No Upfront Payments:
5. Cross-check Information:
6. Report Suspicious Activity:
By following these guidelines, you can help protect yourself and your community from scammers and ensure a smooth and secure process for obtaining broadband services.
The Jackson County Broadband Committee aims to ensure all residents, businesses, and community organizations have access to high-quality broadband services. We work with local, regional, and state partners to drive broadband expansion, support digital equity, and foster economic and community growth through improved connectivity.
Jackson County Broadband Committee Members
Robin Starrs, Chair, Retired - Telecommunications
Tiffany Henry, Jackson County Economic Development
Scott Baker, Southwestern Community College
Jeremiah Jackson, NC Department of Public Instruction
Jonathan Wade, Western Carolina University
Dianne Lindgren, Fontana Regional Library
North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT)
NCDIT manages grants and funding programs to expand broadband infrastructure, promote digital equity, and enhance digital literacy across North Carolina. For details, visit Funding Programs.
Broadband Survey
Help identify areas with inadequate internet access by completing the North Carolina Broadband Survey. Your input will guide state grant investments, inform research and policy, and target future funding. This survey is a partnership between NCDIT and the Friday Institute at NC State University.
Eligibility and Assistance
Enter your address in the search box to learn more about what services are available at your location.
Click here to search for free Public WiFi locations Free Public WiFi as well as downtown Sylva, Dillsobor, and Cashiers.
Note: Providers do not serve all areas of the county.
Charter/Spectrum
BalsamWest
Optimum
Open Broadband
SkyFi
Unserved is any area of the County where service does not meet the minimum service speeds of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload from a fixed wireless or wired connection. Unserved also includes those residents currently relying on such options as satellite, DSL, cell phones and mobile “hot spots.”
Enter your address in the search box to learn more about the status of future internet service at your location.
Please contact your internet provider directly for additional questions.
State laws and regulations prohibit county and city governments from providing internet services or installing infrastructure. Still, they may partner with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to expand access and improve service.
It may be either, depending on existing infrastructure.
If you have broadband internet service at 100 Megabits per second (Mbps) download and 20 Mbps upload you are currently considered served. The goal of the partnership is to ensure that all of the homes and businesses in the county have access to fiber broadband service. Ultimately, additional providers may spur more competition, improve quality and price competition.
There could be multiple reasons:
Charter Spectrum has acknowledged to us that, in fact, some of their representatives do knock on doors and offer to sign you up for services onsite. In addition to having a business card or other form of identification, representatives of Charter Spectrum should be readily identifiable by their apparel with the Charter Spectrum logo.
You can find out if your address is eligible by visiting the FCC RDOF Map and searching for your address. If your area is shaded blue, it is identified for broadband service.
To qualify for a special low-income assistance internet package through Charter Spectrum:
One or more members of your household must be a recipient of one of the following assistance programs:
Complete Charter Spectrum's online application. Note that this offer is not valid for current internet subscribers. Programs like Social Security Disability (SSD), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Social Security Retirement and Survivor Benefits do not meet eligibility requirements.
Learn more at Charter Spectrum.
Charter Spectrum will send mail and hang door tags to notify you when broadband internet becomes available in your area. These notifications will include a phone number to call to establish service.
For eligible addresses in the Connect Rockingham phase, broadband access will be available prior to January 31st, 2024. Work will start in the Spring of 2022, with some addresses receiving access before January 2024.
If your address is eligible, you do not need to take any action at this time. When main line access is provided, Spectrum will inform you of the cost to extend beyond 2000 ft. This will be arranged between Spectrum and the homeowner.
There could be several reasons:
Equipment and Setup
You will need a modem and WiFi router to connect to the internet inside and around your home. You may rent equipment from Charter Spectrum on a monthly basis or purchase your own.
Depending on your home's size or construction, you might benefit from a WiFi Extender to connect to WiFi on the opposite side of the house from the router. For a desktop computer in a fixed location, you may prefer to use an Ethernet Cable in addition to WiFi. Discuss the location of your PC with the installation technician.
You should wait to call Charter Spectrum until you receive a letter or door tag notification from them indicating that broadband internet access is available at your address.
Yes, some representatives from Charter Spectrum may knock on doors and offer to sign you up for services onsite. They should have a business card or other form of identification and be identifiable by their apparel with the Charter Spectrum logo.
