February 2021 Fiber Construction Update

EMPOWER continues diligently in building fiber assets across the service area and our high-speed fiber internet is now available to over 3,000 homes and businesses with nearly 1,000 of those locations taking advantage of this terrific service. We continue to connect subscribers daily with 99 percent of our 135-mile fiber backbone complete and serving homes and businesses in Brunswick, Charlotte, Greensville, Halifax, Mecklenburg, and Pittsylvania Counties. Additionally, we are working on additional areas through the benefit of VATI (Virginia Telecommunication Initiative) grants and USDA ReConnect loans and grants. CARES (Coronavirus Relief Funding) work continues as crews install fiber and we continue to accept applications.

To expedite our overall deployment, we have added line designers, overhead construction crews, underground construction crews, and fiber splicing teams. Our engineering team and consultants have completed the design to serve the Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC), formerly served by Buggs Island Telephone Cooperative. Our accounting team is preparing the final loan documents for submittal to USDA.

Service is available to many homes and businesses across our system. To make sure your location is now eligible, please go to our website, www.empowermec.net and click the box under “Check Availability And Register Your Interest”. Our registration process will guide you through completing an application if service is currently available or it will register your interest for a future build.

Please note, that our schedule is subject to adjustment as it may be impacted by inclement weather and the availability of materials. Following is an updated table summarizing all current and near-term construction projects.

You will notice the availability date is shown in a year and quarter format. For example, 2021-Q3 indicates installation is scheduled to begin during the third quarter of 2021 between the months of July, August, and September.

Q1- January, February, March

Q2 – April, May, June

Q3 – July, August, September

Q4 – October, November, December

As a reminder for subscribers who sign up for service before construction passes their area, you’re eligible to receive a free $100 fiber installation if you subscribe to telephone and broadband or half off if you subscribe to fiber internet alone. The only requirement is that customers commit to a two-year contract for new fiber services.

We will continue to send updates on the status of our fiber construction. Hang in there while we bring you the best of the best… fiber! We appreciate your patience and support.

If you have any questions regarding projects, our crews, or anything related to EMPOWER’s services, please contact us at 1-833-RuralBB (1-833-787-2522),  434-636-2274, or by clicking the “Contact Us” button at www.empowermec.net/content/contact-us. You can always stay up to date with our progress by visiting www.empowermec.net or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EmpowerBroadbandInc.