Shentel raises fiber expansion target by 50 percent, pauses fixed wireless access build

Regional US operator Shenandoah Telecommunications (Shentel) kicked its fiber plans into high gear, raising its expansion target by 50 percent and aiming to reach 450,000 serviceable addresses by 2026. At the same time, however, the operator said it would pause further expansion of its Beam Internet fixed wireless access service. Shentel CEO Chris French cited “strong momentum” behind its Glo Fiber product's business development, construction and sales as driving factors for the move. French also pointed to an influx of government funding for broadband as a reason for the shift, noting more than $1.3 billion in support is expected to be made available in the five states where Shentel operates. COO Ed McKay stated the operator has identified approximately 32,000 unserved homes where it is pursuing government grants to subsidize broadband construction costs for fiber, fixed wireless or a hybrid of both. McKay added its target for overall broadband passings by 2026 remains unchanged at 730,000, but fiber is now set to account for 64 percent of this total while fixed wireless will account for just 6 percent.