More than a quarter-million Southwest Georgia homes are now “gigabit” eligible.

Internet service provider Mediacom announced this week it was expanding its high-speed offering that includes speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second.

The announcement is a big one for the largely rural area, where broadband internet access is often spotty. Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, was on hand for the announcement in Valdosta on Thursday.

“This is the kind of forward thinking, long-term investment we are looking for in our rural areas,” Ralston said.

The speaker this past legislative session championed the creation of a House Rural Development Council that will study challenges facing the state's rural communities.

Mediacom’s new service is available in more than 50 communities and is part of a $1 billion national investment in infrastructure.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Rep. Marcus Wiedower, R-Watkinsville, announced Tuesday Oct. 28 he was resigning his seat. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Featured

Peggy Harris (foreground) stocks the shelves at Sandy's IGA, which is the only grocery store in town, Tuesday, October 7, 2025, in Sparta. Hancock County has one of the highest rates of childhood food insecurity in the country. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC