In the latest example of consolidation in the rural broadband market, southeast regional service provider LiveOak Fiber says it intends to purchase telecom assets in the Glynn and Camden counties of Georgia from Alma Telephone Company Broadband (ATC Broadband).
The deal is also an example of private investors’ increasing interest in rural broadband. LiveOak was founded several years ago with an initial investment of $150 million from InfraRed Capital Partners.
Glynn and Camden counties are in the Golden Isles region of Georgia, which is in the southeast coastal area. LiveOak Fiber says that residential and business subscribers will have access to 500 Mbps to 10 Gbps services, and Wi-Fi service without contracts or data caps.
“The acquisition of this ATC Broadband fiber asset reinforces our commitment to serve the Golden Isles and enables LiveOak Fiber to expedite our timeline for buildout in Glynn County and expands our service area to include the businesses and residents of Camden County,” LiveOak Fiber President Jody Craft said in the press release. “We will build upon the great work of ATC by offering the highest quality Internet services and speeds in the region, coupled with superior local customer service.”
LiveOak Fiber’s initial activities in Glynn County began last July. At that time, the company undertook projects there and in Okaloosa County, FL, with $60 million going to Glynn County. Construction was set to begin during the third quarter of 2022 and service to Glynn County was to begin this month. The expectation was that 50 jobs would be created during the next three years.
