 Figures from 2007 showed that less than 55% of South Carolina residents had internet service in the home and over 15% still used dial-up from their ISP. Over a third of households had no internet access from any source. The state's average download speed was only 3.6 mbps in 2009, little changed from the previous year and putting it in 42nd place.
The state has partnered with the Connected Nation non-profit organization to form Connect South Carolina. This body will work with the Office of the Governor and the state's internet providers to ensure that both urban and rural communities have access to broadband internet services.
In December 2009, South Carolina was awarded an NTIA grant of $1.7 million to create a map of broadband service availability and undertake planning activities. In parallel to this, an organization called BroadbandCensus has received funding from Benedict College to create an interactive map. This will initially identify every broadband internet provider in three counties but eventually aims to cover the whole state. Both mapping projects will distinguish between the different types of service, such as DSL, fiber optic cable and wireless internet access, and are to use their findings to obtain additional funding.
The availability of wifi hotspots across the state is sporadic at best, with clusters around major towns and cities, interspersed by large areas with no coverage. This may be improved by AT&T's plans to extend its 3G network through other counties in 2009.
South Carolina is the only state to own its educational broadcast licenses and operate its educational broadcast spectrum. This seems likely to change, with reports of a $143 million deal to lease out 95% of the state's broadband spectrum. This has coincided with the need to submit a plan to free up some educational radio frequencies for statewide high speed broadband access.
One of the thirteen colonies to declare independence, South Carolina was also the first to vote to secede from the Union. Summers are hot and humid while winters are more variable, with coastal areas being very mild but colder inland. Thunderstorms average fifty a year and there are occasional cyclones and hurricanes.
Major agricultural outputs include tobacco, poultry and cattle while industrial output includes textile goods, chemical and paper products. Columbia is the state capital and largest city, followed by Charleston, North Charleston and Rock Hill.
Cities in South Carolina likely to have, or soon to receive, fiber optic cable internet services include Columbia, Charleston, North Charleston, Rock Hill, Mount Pleasant, Greenville and Summerville. Locations in SC with highest population counts will be targeted first by providers, though relatively high speeds can be achieved with dial-up or DSL through companies such as Netzero and Charter Communications Cable.
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Coverage Unlikely
