Duplin among counties getting more high-speed Internet access
By Staff Reports
Published in News on April 8, 2009 1:46 PM
Duplin County is among six rural counties that will receive expanded high-speed Internet services thanks to a $945,185 grant given to EMBARQ and Verizon by the e-N.C. Authority.
Announced late last month, the other counties benefitting from the funds, which the companies must match dollar for dollar, are Caswell, Cherokee, Graham, Pamlico and Tyrrell counties.
The e-NC Authority is a state authority created by the General Assembly with several legislative mandates, including tracking telecommunications infrastructure and the availability of high-speed Internet services in all 100 North Carolina counties.
According to the e-NC Authority's latest annual survey of telecommunications providers, only 83.33 percent of North Carolina households have the ability to access a high-speed Internet connection.
The e-NC Authority is based in Raleigh, N.C., and is supported through contributions from foundation, nonprofit, public and private entities. For more information, visit www.e-nc.org or call 1-866-627-8725.