SCTBA is now Palmetto Broadband Coalition! LEARN MORE >

Menu

admin@octagonsolutions.net

About admin@octagonsolutions.net

http://palmettobroadbandcoalition.com

Posts by :

McMaster

Palmetto Broadband Coalition Honored Governor Henry McMaster at Annual Convention in Charleston

Charleston, S.C. (April 9, 2026) – The Palmetto Broadband Coalition (PBC) welcomed 225 registrants from member companies and associate organizations from across South Carolina and around the country for its 2026 Annual Convention, held April 7–8 at the Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster joined the PBC on Wednesday when he received a special award for his work in advancing broadband across the state.

“Each year our PBC Convention serves as an important opportunity for our members and partners to align around shared goals and identify practical solutions to meet South Carolina’s connectivity needs and closing the digital divide,” said Nola Armstrong, Executive Director of Palmetto Broadband Coalition. “We were honored to welcome Governor McMaster and recognize the meaningful progress made to expand broadband access across the state.”

The two-day event featured a robust agenda of educational speakers, industry insights, and networking opportunities designed to strengthen collaboration and advance broadband expansion efforts statewide. Convention attendees participated in discussions, presentations, and social events focused on emerging trends, policy developments, and innovative solutions supporting connectivity in rural and exurban communities across South Carolina.

McMaster

 

About the Palmetto Broadband Coalition

The Palmetto Broadband Coalition is a membership organization representing broadband providers, vendors, and industry partners committed to advancing reliable, high-quality broadband infrastructure throughout South Carolina. Through advocacy, education, and collaboration, PBC supports policies and initiatives that promote expanded connectivity and technological innovation throughout the state.

0W6A1469

NTCA 2025 Smart Rural Community Showcase Award Winners Demonstrate Positive Impacts of Local Broadband in America’s Small Towns

0W6A1469
Shirley Bloomfield, NTCA; Jason Shelton, NCSC and Keith Oliver, Home Telecom
0W6A1484
Shirley Bloomfield, NTCA; Jason Shelton, NCSC and Wes McAllister WCTEL
0W6A1476
Shirley Bloomfield, NTCA Jason Shelton, NCSC and Melinda Russell TruVista

Las Vegas, Nev., (September 16, 2025)—NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield today announced the winners of the 2025 Smart Rural Community Showcase Awards, presented annually to rural broadband providers who not only provide high-quality, reliable connectivity, but who also have led the way on collaborative and innovative projects that advance the communities they serve.  

The Smart Rural Community program is a network of more than 290 communities across a wide swath of rural America supported by NTCA member providers who are committed to driving growth through robust broadband service. The Showcase Awards are presented to providers in recognition of their extraordinary achievements in promoting rural broadband networks and innovative applications that create opportunities for the educators, health care providers, farmers, small business owners, public safety professionals and others who help their communities thrive. 

The following providers were recognized:

  • Bulloch Solutions (Statesboro, Ga.) – Bulloch Solutions designed and deployed a redundant network to support a new manufacturing facility in Bulloch County. The cooperative’s commitment to excellence also extends to the communities it serves, as it has partnered with community leaders and organizations to host literacy events, business expos and career days.
  • Home Telecom (Moncks Corner, S.C.) – Home Telecom is working to bridge the digital divide in South Carolina’s Lowcountry by deploying SmartTown community Wi-Fi networks to ensure students have access to broadband outside of school and helped launch the Berkeley Community Resource hub to provide hands-on digital literacy training.
  • Lynxx Networks (Camp Douglas, Wis.) – Lynxx Networks partnered with the Tomah Area School District to connect 13 schools and district facilities over 400 square miles with a 100% fiber 10 Gbps network. In addition, Lynxx Networks organizes a Giving Tree program, which has provided gifts to over 1,000 children over the past 15 years.
  • Rainbow Communications (Everest, Kan.) – Rainbow partnered with local schools, including Highland Community College, to support their esports programs, leading to the creation of the Rainbow Esports Scholarship, awarded annually to one student who joins the HCC esports team.
  • Truvista (Chester, S.C.) – Truvista partnered with local schools to establish a digital literacy and internet safety program for students as well as a Teacher Village housing complex to help recruit and retain teachers.
  • Twin Lakes (Gainesboro, Tenn.) – Twin Lakes launched the Twin Lakes Difference Grant Program in 2020. In the past six years, 104 community organizations have been awarded over $480,000 in grants to help drive economic development, enhance education, improve public safety and strengthen communities.
  • United Communications (Franklin, Tenn.) – United Communications launched Project UNITE, through which it has secured more than $110 million in federal and state grants for broadband expansion, aligning deployment plans with the economic development strategies and needs of the communities it serves.
  • West Carolina (Abbeville, S.C.) – After Hurricane Helene hit West Carolina’s service territory, the coop turned its offices into hubs where community members could charge devices, connect to the internet and contact loved ones. It also stepped up to ensure that Self Regional Healthcare facility and Anderson County Emergency Services had the connectivity needed to provide emergency assistance.

“I always love seeing the exciting work that our Showcase Award winners are doing to better their communities, and this year is no exception,” said NTCA CEO Shirley Bloomfield. “This year’s winners continue to exemplify how local broadband providers deliver positive impacts that improve the quality of life in the communities they serve. These community-driven efforts to connect more rural Americans – and to keep them connected to life-changing technologies – offer stories of success that can be repeated. I would like to congratulate Bulloch Solutions, Home Telecom, Lynxx Networks, Rainbow Communications, Truvista, Twin Lakes, United Communications and West Carolina on this accomplishment!”   

The 2025 Showcase Award winners were announced at the 2025 Fall Conference. Watch the announcement video here.

Sage-Exterior-Day-Nexton

Nexton Becomes First Community to Access 5 Gbps Residential Internet from Home Telecom

MONCKS CORNER, SC July 30, 2025 — Home Telecom is proud to announce the launch of its
ultra-fast 5 Gigabit internet service for residential customers, beginning in the vibrant and
innovative community of Nexton in Summerville, South Carolina. This milestone marks a
significant leap forward in broadband technology and underscores the powerful partnership
between Home Telecom and Nexton in building a future-ready digital infrastructure.
As the first residential area to receive this cutting-edge service, Nexton continues to lead the
way in smart community development. The collaboration between Home Telecom and Nexton
reflects a shared commitment to delivering world-class connectivity and enhancing the quality
of life for residents through technology.

“We’re excited to be ground zero for Home Telecom’s launch of residential 5 Gig — a reflection
of the innovative technology partnership we’ve come to expect in Nexton,” said Cassie Cataline,
Marketing Director at Brookfield Residential. “As the community developer, it’s our goal to
provide the best possible experience for our residents and the faster internet speed helps
enhance the lifestyle we’re cultivating.”

As demand for high-speed internet continues to grow, Home Telecom’s residential 5 Gig
offering is designed to meet the evolving needs of modern households. Whether collaborating
virtually across multiple devices while working, learning remotely from home, participating in a
friendly competition on gaming consoles (when ultra-low latency is a must), or supporting
emerging smart home ecosystems, customers will notice a big difference in their connectivity.
“With the launch of a residential 5 Gig plan, we are not just offering faster internet—we are
empowering families, remote workers, gamers, and content creators with the bandwidth to do
more than ever before,” said Gina Shuler, Vice President of Marketing at Home Telecom.
“Nexton is the perfect launchpad for this innovation, and we are excited to bring this
transformative experience to its residents first.”

With this launch, Home Telecom continues to lead the charge in delivering high-speed internet
across the Lowcountry, backed by unmatched customer service and the assurance residents
and businesses are equipped for the demands of tomorrow.

About Nexton
Nexton is owned by a subsidiary of North America Sekisui House, LLC (NASH), and is managed
by Brookfield Properties as part of the Newland communities portfolio. These partners share a
deep commitment to sustainable development practices and apply these core values to the
vision, planning and development of their communities. Nexton is one of more than 20
communities this partnership manages together across the U.S. For more information,
visit Nexton.com.

About Home Telecom
Home Telecom is an innovative communications provider with a history that spans more than
120 years headquartered in Moncks Corner, SC. Home Telecom provides multi-gig internet,
app-based video, next generation security services, home automation, and voice over IP
telephone services to residents and businesses in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester
Counties of South Carolina. They utilize a variety of state-of-the-art technologies, most notably
FTTP technology, making them a leader in providing the fastest broadband internet services in
the state.

For more information, visit HomeSC.com.
For media use only: If you have any questions regarding Home Telecom’s 5 Gig Launch in
Nexton, contact Caoimhe Zett at Caoimhe.Zett@hometelco.com.

Moncks-Corner-Flag-Tag_4C

Get Ready Moncks Corner, For SmartTown by Home Telecom

MONCKS CORNER, SC March 3, 2025 — Home Telecom is thrilled to announce the expansion of
SmartTown Community Wi-Fi to Moncks Corner, following the successful inaugural launch in Nexton
last fall.

SmartTown Wi-Fi by Home Telecom is a game-changer compared to the typical open public Wi-Fi
found in local coffee shops. Not only does SmartTown offer faster speeds, but it also uses the same
security measures that customers enjoy at their homes. This means that when customers are out in the
community, they benefit from an added layer of protection against hacks, viruses, and other malicious
attacks.

“The Town of Moncks Corner is excited to partner with Home Telecom as they expand SmartTown Wi-
Fi to our community,” said Mayor Thomas Hamilton. “Access to fast, secure, and reliable Wi-Fi in our
public spaces enhances the experience for residents and visitors alike, whether they are attending a
ballgame, visiting the Farmer’s Market, or simply walking around Main Street. This technology will
make it easier for everyone to stay connected while enjoying The Lowcountry’s hometown.”

With SmartTown Community Wi-Fi, Home Telecom ensures that its customers stay connected, while
visitors to Moncks Corner enjoy reliable Wi-Fi access in lively public areas such as the ball fields at the
Moncks Corner Recreational Complex, the Train Depot, Unity Park, the Home Telecom Miracle League
Field, and the Market Pavilion while visiting the Farmer’s Market and other events.

“Once Home Telecom customers become part of the SmartTown community and connect their
devices, they will enjoy seamless access to SmartTown networks wherever they are available,” said
Gina Shuler, vice president of Marketing at Home Telecom. “Introducing SmartTown in the public
spaces of Nexton and Moncks Corner is just the start. SmartTown connections are expanding within
our service areas and beyond, ensuring Home Telecom customers can stay securely connected.”

Home Telecom customers and visitors to Moncks Corner can get a sneak peek of SmartTown at the St.
Patrick’s Day Festival hosted by the Town of Moncks Corner on March 8 th . Home Telecom employees
will be available at the booth to answer any questions about SmartTown.

Stay tuned for the official unveiling at the Town of Moncks Corner Recreational Field during Spring
Sports Opening Week. To learn more, visit HomeSC.com/SmartTown.
For media use only: For more information regarding SmartTown Wi-Fi by Home Telecom, contact
Caoimhe.Zett@hometelco.com.

Chris-Townson_1-scaled

Chris Townson Named CEO of West Carolina

ABBEVILLE – The West Carolina Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Chris Townson as the organization’s new Chief Executive Officer. Townson, who currently chairs NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association’s Government Affairs Committee, is the fourth CEO/General Manager in West Carolina’s 73-year history. Townson began his new role on Feb. 10.   

“Chris’s professional qualifications are outstanding, and his personality and character make him a wonderful addition to the West Carolina family,” said Wes McAllister, West Carolina Board President. “His extensive national leadership experience, combined with his deep understanding of rural telecommunications, positions him perfectly to lead our organization forward while maintaining our commitment to our employees, members, and communities.”   

Townson brings 30 years of telecommunications industry experience to the role, most recently serving as CEO/GM of DeKalb Telephone Cooperative (DTC Communications) in Alexandria, Tenn., since 2016. During his tenure at DTC, he jointly spearheaded the creation of Trilight, an innovative collaboration between seven telephone cooperatives that expanded broadband access to electric cooperatives and municipalities.   

“I’m honored to join an organization with such a rich history of serving its communities,” said Townson. “West Carolina’s deep family and community-oriented culture aligns perfectly with my vision for how a cooperative should serve its members and communities. As we move forward, we’ll build upon the strong foundation laid by its former leaders while continuing to innovate and expand our services to meet the evolving needs of our members and customers.”   

A recognized industry leader, Townson has held key positions with the Tennessee Broadband Association and the Telecommunications Association of the Southeast, in addition to his leadership role with NTCA. His career began as an installer/repairman at Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative in Rainsville, Ala., where he spent 22 years advancing through various technical and management roles.   

Townson holds a Doctor of Ministry degree in Organizational Leadership & Growth from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and an MBA from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He and his wife of 29 years, Melissa, have two adult sons, a daughter-in-law, and recently welcomed their first granddaughter.

TruVista Village in Winnsboro update Rev 2 (1) copy

TruVista & the Fairfield County School District Choose First Educators for Residency at Innovative Village in Winnsboro New Technology Center opening soon

WINNSBORO, SC – August 15, 2024 – TruVista and their partners at the Fairfield County School District have made final selections for residency at “The Village in Winnsboro, a Community of Fairfield Educators” development in Winnsboro, South Carolina.

In early June, TruVista and the FCSD announced their partnership in constructing this first of its kind education initiative in the state of South Carolina. Both the residential development and Village in Winnsboro Technology Center will be opening this fall.

TruVista will be providing all the high speed broadband service for the residential section as well as the technology center.

The Technology Center is intended to appeal to teachers across the district as a place where they can come to find cutting-edge resources and tools that will enhance their teaching capabilities. It will also serve as a hub for innovation, professional development, and collaboration for teachers in a district where retention has been a major problem.

Working with TruVista’s Director of Market Development for South Carolina Brian Winland, the Technology Center will be equipped with community Wi-Fi and multi-gigabit internet speeds provided by TruVista. It will also feature a WebEx board the teachers can use for screen shares and online meetings, a digital whiteboard, and a large shared meeting space with smaller collaborative rooms.

Seventeen residences will be open for move-in this fall and The Fairfield County School District Education Foundation board of directors selected the educators from a lengthy list of teacher applicants.

They used a completely blind process based on a set of requirements, then hired a property management company and rental management company to work together to make the selections.

Teachers across the district and beyond were invited to apply but according to Veronica Thomas, a Fairfield Central High School math teacher, former district Teacher of the Year recipient, and instructor at the Fairfield County Adult Education Center, longevity is one of the main requirements.

“Because the Village in Winnsboro is primarily a teacher recruitment and retention tool, the longer you have been teaching in the district, the better the teacher’s chances were at being selected,” she said.

Thomas is one of the teachers chosen for the first residential houses to open this fall. She has been with the district for nine years. The average teacher longevity for that district is three years. Although she knew it would be competitive, she felt she had a good chance of being selected.

“Their recruitment and retention theory works because prior to this year, I was looking around and had an opportunity to move on. A reasonably priced brand-new home in the Village in Winnsboro gives me a reason to stay, at least three or four more years” she admits.

 The initial residential community features a mixture of 17 three-bedroom, two bath, one story; or three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath, two-story standalone houses. The community will also be equipped with TruVista high speed internet and optional automation and security services.

Owned by the Foundation, educators are given the opportunity to rent houses for between $700 and $900 a month with a subsidy available to keep the rent low. Leases are for one year but renewable annually.

“I currently rent a two-bedroom townhouse and the rent is nearly three times that,” Thomas explains. “To have a brand new three-bedroom home complete with appliances including washers and dryers, no yardwork, and only minimal annual rent increases for under $1,000 a month is for me, and I am sure for a lot of other teachers, a great opportunity,”

Nine more lots will be available for future expansion and the FCSD Education Foundation continues to seek donations and support to realize the full potential of The Village in Winnsboro, and to serve the waiting list of teachers for the housing.

The idea for the groundbreaking Village in Winnsboro residential community and technology center has been in the works for more than a decade.

Fairfield County is a rural South Carolina school district serving about 2,500 students, 75% of whom reside outside of the county. The district has always faced ongoing challenges in attracting and retaining qualified teachers.

The FCSDEF envisions The Village in Winnsboro as a transformative project that will set a precedent for other rural districts facing similar challenges.

For more information about the Village in Winnsboro Technology Center and residential community, contact:

Melinda Russell, Vice President of Marketing
TruVista Communications
Phone: 803-601-7264
Email: Melinda.russell@truvista.biz

About TruVista:

TruVista has been providing telecommunications services for over 125 years and offers high-speed internet, video, and phone services to communities in South Carolina and Georgia. With a strong commitment to community engagement and support, TruVista is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the areas it serves.

About The Village in Winnsboro:

The Village in Winnsboro is a signature initiative of the Fairfield County School District Education Foundation, aimed at building the first residential community for educators in South Carolina. This project seeks to address the challenges of teacher recruitment and retention in rural districts by providing a supportive and engaging living environment for educators.

Load More

Back To Top




Contact Us

info@palmettobroadbandcoalition.com

Join our E-mail List

© Palmetto Broadband Coalition 2026