$20M Fiber Boost Brings New Broadband to Outer Banks

A new $20 million fiber internet network is expanding broadband access across North Carolina’s Outer Banks, bringing another high-speed internet option to thousands of homes and businesses in a region where residents say reliable service has long been a challenge.

Ripple Fiber recently completed construction of a fiber-optic network that will serve approximately 20,000 homes and businesses in Dare County. The company said the service is now available in Kitty Hawk, Southern Shores, Duck, Kill Devil Hills and Corolla.

The expansion follows a major internet disruption last summer, when a damaged fiber-optic cable left many Dare County residents without high-speed internet and, in some cases, access to 911 services.

That disruption, back in July of 2025, impacted many people on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. While the service will not yet venture down to those areas, the company is open to expansion if they hear from enough residents.

For longtime Southern Shores property owner Len Schmitz, the new competition is a welcome development.

Schmitz, who has owned a home in the Outer Banks for 35 years, said internet options in the area have traditionally been limited.

“One cable company, and it was sporadic,” Schmitz said.

He said service interruptions remain common in his neighborhood, creating challenges for residents who work remotely.

“It just went out the other day, and it was out for the whole day,” Schmitz said. “People depend on that. A lot are working from home, and I’ve offered my neighbors, if they want to come use my upstairs office, they can.”

Patrick Mulhearn, Ripple Fiber’s director of government affairs, said the company designed its network to minimize impacts on communities by installing infrastructure almost entirely underground.

“Our infrastructure is as low-impact as possible,” Mulhearn said. “We deploy our networks underground, which is good for most communities. There are not a lot of wires on poles, and we work to minimize disruption through the construction process.”

The company said underground infrastructure can also help reduce the risk of service interruptions caused by storms or damage to overhead utility lines.

While the current network serves communities in the northern Outer Banks, Mulhearn said future expansion farther south, including Rodanthe and Hatteras, will depend largely on homeowner interest.

“Our growth, at least in the Outer Banks, will be dependent on homeowner interest,” Mulhearn said. “The more we hear from homeowners that they’re interested in the service outside our service area, that absolutely impacts our growth plans.”

Ripple Fiber said several thousand customers in the Outer Banks have already signed up for its internet service.

Key Benefits of the New Fiber Network

• High-Speed Internet: The new fiber-optic network offers significantly faster internet speeds compared to traditional broadband options.
• Reliability: With infrastructure installed underground, the network is less vulnerable to weather-related disruptions.
• Community-Focused: Ripple Fiber prioritizes minimizing environmental impact and community disruption during installation.
• Scalability: The company is open to expanding services further south if there is sufficient demand from residents.

Challenges Faced by Residents

• Limited Options: For years, residents in the Outer Banks had only one major internet provider, leading to inconsistent service.
• Service Interruptions: Frequent outages have made it difficult for remote workers and students to maintain productivity.
• Emergency Access Issues: During the 2025 disruption, some residents lost access to critical emergency services.

Future Plans and Community Engagement

Ripple Fiber is currently focused on serving the northern parts of the Outer Banks. However, the company remains committed to expanding its reach if there is strong community support.

Mulhearn emphasized that homeowner interest plays a crucial role in determining future expansion. “The more we hear from homeowners that they’re interested in the service outside our service area, that absolutely impacts our growth plans,” he said.

Residents in areas like Rodanthe and Hatteras are encouraged to express their interest in the service. Ripple Fiber is actively seeking feedback to guide its next steps.

Conclusion

The introduction of Ripple Fiber’s network marks a significant step forward for broadband access in the Outer Banks. With a focus on reliability, sustainability, and community engagement, the company is addressing long-standing challenges in the region. As more residents sign up for the service, the potential for further expansion grows, offering hope for improved connectivity across the entire area.