The Worcester County Commissioners and Talkie Communications, Inc. will kick off the start of a 30-mile build on Tuesday, May 3, at 2 p.m. at Bishopville Park.
Talkie, the county’s broadband vendor, has developed a state-of-the-art, fiber-optic network to address the lack of broadband infrastructure in Worcester County by expanding high-speed broadband to unserved areas. Talkie began phase one of the installation process on Dun Swamp Road in Pocomoke. While continuing the build in southern Worcester, Talkie representatives are also announcing the start of building the fiber optic network in the north county
“I am pleased at the dedication Talkie has shown in working with Worcester County,” Worcester County Information Technology Director Brian Jones said. “This project has been in the works for several years, and we are starting the see progress made to bring true broadband speeds to rural parts of Worcester County.”
Those residing in this service area may sign up for service or request additional information by visiting www.talkiefiber.com. Customers are not required to sign a contract and may discontinue service at any time. Community interest will help Talkie determine which areas to build out first.
Talkie, which offers fiber internet with speeds up to 1 Gig, phone, and home security, has been working in partnership with the commissioners and Jones to secure local, state, and federal grants over the next 10 years to help fund this roughly $52 million project to build and install a fiber backbone to connect unserved and underserved communities and thus promote overall economic development in the region.
The commissioners accepted a proposal from Talkie on January 5, 2021, to serve as Worcester County’s broadband vendor to install an underground fiber backbone at no monetary cost to the county. Talkie representatives are pursuing opportunities to fast-track this project