Wecom Fiber, an Arizona-based provider of fiber-to-the-premises broadband, has been awarded over $49.5 million by the State of Arizona to connect approximately 13,000 homes and businesses across Yavapai County with high-speed broadband. The project will bring Wecom’s multi-gig, fiber broadband to rural areas in and around Prescott, Prescott Valley, Paulden, Sedona, Wickenburg, Cottonwood, Jerome, Chino Valley, Camp Verde, Skull Valley, Black Canyon City, Dewey-Humboldt, Yarnell, Ash Fork, Mayer, Kirkland, Clarkdale, Congress, Cornville, Crown King, and more.
That funding is allocated as a part of Arizona’s Broadband Equity, Access & Deployment (BEAD) program, and Wecom is Arizona’s biggest single recipient of BEAD funding.
“The City of Prescott is already partnering with Wecom to bring ultra-fast broadband to our community, and this investment will expand that effort to connect more of our rural neighbors,” said Prescott Mayor Cathey Rusing. “This investment will make a real difference for Prescott’s economy, telehealth access, remote workers, students and more.”
“The residents of Yavapai County will benefit greatly from this Wecom-led effort to connect rural homes and businesses with reliable broadband,” said Brooks Compton, chairman of the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors. “This investment fits perfectly with our strategic plan and my vision for Yavapai County’s future.”
Wecom’s project in Yavapai County is part of a statewide effort to eliminate the digital divide that has long hampered rural communities here and across Arizona that lack access to reliable, high-speed broadband. Gov. Katie Hobbs recently announced the state’s largest-ever investment in rural broadband — $967 million — which comprises a mix of federal funds and private matching dollars.
“This historic broadband investment will change lives for the better across Arizona by ensuring every corner of our state has access to reliable, high-speed internet,” said Wecom CEO Paul Fleming. “Wecom is honored to be the largest single awardee of BEAD dollars and sincerely grateful for the trust placed in us. We thank Gov. Hobbs and the State Broadband Office, the Trump administration, our local and community partners, and every Arizona citizen who participated in the public planning process.”
Statewide, the rural broadband rollout is expected to connect an estimated 160,000 Arizona households and 1,200 community institutions, including schools, libraries and similar public facilities.
“This critical investment in broadband will enable thousands of miles of fiber infrastructure to support jobs and economic development and ensure Arizona homes and businesses have access to the reliable, high-speed internet they need — regardless of zip code,” said Darren Glatt, chairman of Wecom and partner at Searchlight Capital Partners. “The digital divide ends where Wecom fiber broadband begins.”
About Wecom Fiber
Wecom Fiber is a leading provider of high-speed broadband services, with a track record of successfully deploying networks in various regions. With offices in Phoenix, Kingman, Prescott and Las Vegas, Wecom Fiber is dedicated to connecting communities and fostering growth through innovative technology solutions.
