Intelligent CIO North America Issue 48 | Page 64

INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Cabling

LiveOak Fiber secures $ 250m to expand southeast fiber network

customers and the communities we serve . We are intensifying our focus on these markets and the transformative infrastructure we deliver .”
In May 2024 , LiveOak reached a major milestone seeing 50 % of the Georgia broadband expansion completed – extending reach to thousands of customers across planned , existing and new areas of the state in Georgia .
By then , LiveOak had invested just over $ 100M in Georgia to date – building more than 1,000 miles of fiber , supporting businesses and residents in growing communities .

LiveOak Fiber , a regional broadband service provider founded in 2022 , has secured $ 250 million in financing underwritten by J . P . Morgan .

This funding will be used to supercharge LiveOak ’ s expansion of its 100 % fiber broadband network to underserved communities in the Southeast United States .
Since its founding , LiveOak has grown into a regional network operator serving business and residential customers in Bay , Okaloosa and Walton Counties , Florida and Camden , Chatham and Glynn Counties , Georgia .
The company has exceeded market expectations , completing 50 % of its Georgia and Florida network builds as of May 2024 .
This includes deploying more than $ 200 million in investment to date , constructing and lighting more than 1,000 miles of fiber and unlocking access to educational resources , telehealth services and economic opportunities previously out of reach in these areas .
J . P . Morgan ’ s financing will enable LiveOak to continue its progress and expand further into new and existing communities .
“ We are proud of our progress to build much needed digital infrastructure which supports communities across the Southeast to meet their connectivity needs ,” said Jody Craft , CEO , LiveOak . “ This financing will be used to continue our expansion in Florida and Georgia as well as the surrounding region . We see this as an important step and shows our team ’ s continued commitment to growth .”
Steve Smith , LiveOak Co-Founder and CRO , said : “ We appreciate our financial partners for their support .
“ As we continue to expand , we remain committed to investing in our markets to provide best-in-class service for our
Upon completion , the 100 % buried fiber network will serve approximately 150,000 passings across coastal Georgia . In addition to the network investments , LiveOak has also created 100 + new jobs for residents in the areas it serves .
In June 2024 LiveOak earned a Great Place To Work certification for a second year in a row .
At the time , Craft said : “ We consider employee experience a top priority every day . We owe our continued success to our team of dedicated employees – we celebrate and thank them for all they do to earn this incredible recognition .”
Jennifer Powers , Vice President of People , LiveOak Fiber , said : “ This certification is a testament to our ongoing commitment to fostering a collaborative workplace where team members can thrive . We know that happy employees make happy customers – and this helps drive our remarkable success .” p
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