Big news for residents and businesses on Edisto Island, South Carolina—over 1,000 homes and companies will soon get access to high-speed fiber internet. This major upgrade is possible thanks to federal funding aimed at improving rural internet services.
Current Internet is Slow and Outdated
Right now, most people on Edisto Island use older internet connections that are much slower than fiber-optic internet. AT&T experts say the island is behind in terms of internet speed and quality compared to other parts of Charleston County where fiber cables have already been installed.
Fiber internet is much faster and more reliable. It allows people to do things like load websites quickly, apply for jobs online, and attend virtual classes or meetings without interruptions.
Federal Funding is Fueling the Upgrade
The fiber expansion is being funded through a federal rural infrastructure program. The money is handed down to the state, and in this case, South Carolina is paying AT&T to lay down miles of fiber-optic cables across Edisto Island.
James Byrd, AT&T’s Regional Director for External and Governmental Affairs in South Carolina, said the goal is to give rural communities the same online opportunities that cities have.
“This gives residents here a real chance to take advantage of the internet—whether it’s building a website or looking for a job,” said Byrd.
Local Leaders Welcome the Change
Charleston County Council’s District 8 Representative, Joe Boykin, who lives on Edisto Island, is especially happy about this project. He explained that the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how serious the internet problem was on the island.
Back then, schools had to bring in portable internet units just so students could go online and attend classes from home. That experience made it clear that faster internet wasn’t just a luxury—it was a necessity.
Boykin praised both AT&T and the state for working together to solve this issue. “This is such a needed improvement for the people out here,” he said. “Most of my district is rural, and this project is a huge step forward.”
Community Input Helped Shape the Project
Before laying the new fiber lines, the county asked people to fill out a survey. Residents gave their addresses and explained what kind of internet service they had and what they wanted. The survey helped officials know exactly where the demand was, making the project more effective.
Boykin said this approach worked well and they plan to use the same method again for future internet upgrades.
A Bright Future for Edisto Island
Soon, many people on Edisto Island will move from slow and spotty internet to fast and reliable fiber connections. This will open doors for better education, job opportunities, and economic growth.
With technology playing such a big role in everyday life, having good internet is no longer optional. Thanks to this upgrade, Edisto Island is finally catching up with the rest of the county—and that’s good news for everyone.
