Charter says countywide broadband build has activated about 1,148 homes; permitting delays slow wider rollout

Madison County Fiscal Court heard an update Jan. 28 from Ben Yacelis, government affairs representative for Charter Communications, on a multi‑phase countywide broadband expansion that Charter says is designed to reach more than 5,300 previously unserved or underserved homes in the county.

Yacelis told the court the work combines three projects: a federal RDOF award, a state grant, and a county‑coordinated phase intended to fill remaining gaps. "All in all, to date, we're — again, across these 3 projects, we're looking to bring Internet service to more than 5,300 homes in Madison County. To date, we've activated service to a little over 1,100, 11 hundred and 40 8 homes in Madison County have service today that didn't when we started all this process," he said.

County and company officials described the build process as three sequential steps: field design and walkouts to verify every pole, driveway and route; permitting with pole owners and other agencies; and construction. Yacelis said Charter does not own the poles and typically must secure access from electric and telephone pole owners, pay for replacement or line moves when required, and then pay ongoing attachment fees. He said roughly 6,800 poles remain in phases 2 and 3 where Charter is seeking access, and that pole permitting is the longest, most variable part of the schedule.

Asked about timing for the areas where crews are actively working, Yacelis said completion for a given area typically takes months once necessary permits are in hand: "Once we have permits back, once we have all the permits back in an area, we can light that area up in a matter of months. I'd say 3 to 6 months easily." He said where crews have been able to build but not yet "connect the dots" back to a head end, activation can be delayed until adjacent permits or transport connections are completed.

Several residents used the public‑comment portion to express frustration with the pace of deployment. One resident said the project "was one of the most exciting announcements" but added, "it's turned into one of the biggest disappointments for me in my area… we're in our third year and there's still no hope," noting nearby roads where work has occurred while some rural stretches remain unserved.

Court members pressed for regular updates and noted the county office maintains monthly check‑ins with Charter and pole owners. Yacelis said Charter has altered internal processes and construction teams to meet demand and pointed to recent improvements in permit processing with some utilities. He also referenced the forthcoming federal BEAD funding round as a larger, separate statewide opportunity to connect more rural addresses in later years.

The court did not take any formal action on the broadband report at the Jan. 28 meeting. Members said they would continue to coordinate with Charter and utility partners and to communicate timelines to residents.

Ending — The county's broadband rollout remains active but incomplete: Charter described measurable progress in activated addresses while county officials and residents called out permitting and utility coordination as the primary constraints on faster completion. Court members said they will continue monthly oversight and public updates.