C Spire is planning for a very busy spring in 2018, as the company continues to roll out fiber throughout the state of Mississippi, expand wireless services, plan a technology conference and encourage kids to learn coding.
Entergy, C Spire and PSC Team Up to Take On the Digital Divide
Entergy Mississippi and C Spire are teaming up on an $11-million fiber infrastructure project spanning over 300 miles in 15 Mississippi counties. The massive project, one of the largest in the nation, will open the door for future delivery of a wide variety of next-generation broadband services to consumers and businesses in some of the most isolated and rural parts of the state.
The project is the brainchild of Brandon Presley, chairman of the state’s Public Service Commission, and has been on the drawing board for over two years. The massive infrastructure project, one of the largest in the nation, received a final “green light” when the PSC approved an order Tuesday, Feb. 6 authorizing the work to begin later this spring.
Under terms of the agreement, C Spire will install fiber optic cable and related broadband communications infrastructure for Entergy along five routes that cover 302 miles in 15 counties and pass 21 small towns, cities and communities in rural, hard-to-reach parts of the state, including the Delta, north, central, south and southwest regions.
“This is a win-win-win for Entergy, C Spire and the people of rural Mississippi,” Presley said. “Entergy gets communication enhancements to its statewide electrical service grid, C Spire gets highly-desired fiber infrastructure and the people of our great state who live in some of the most isolated areas will get access to 21st century broadband services. This is and will continue to be one of my top priorities.”
C Spire Coding Challenge Inspires High School Coders
C Spire is also sponsoring the C Spire Coding Challenge, where one team per participating high school competes in a challenge that is reveal the day of the event.
The day-long C3 program on Wednesday, March 28 at the company’s Ridgeland headquarters will feature teams of up to four students each from up to 30 high schools across the state competing for scholarships and other tech-related prizes.
Two competitions last year featured teams from 43 high schools representing 12 counties and over 200 students.
According to the company, C3 is part of a broader C Spire Tech Movement initiative designed to leverage the company’s technology leadership and investments to help transform its service areas. Other elements of the program include creation of a state-of-the-art digital customer care platform for customers and team members, massive deployment of broadband internet for homes and businesses and other leadership initiatives to drive innovation and development of a 21st century technology workforce.
C Spire MVMT Conference Designed to Inspire the State
Coming in May, C Spire is convening a major technology conference on May 8 that will feature nationally acclaimed speakers, cutting-edge demonstrations and informative workshops for students, consumers and businesses on some of the latest innovations, trends and applications driving the 21st century digital economy.
The day-long C Spire MVMT 2018 conference, the flagship event which is bringing to life the company’s tech movement initiative designed to help transform the region for future success, is set for Tuesday, May 8 beginning at 8 a.m. at the Convention Complex, 105 E. Pascagoula Street, in downtown Jackson.
“As the region’s technology leader, we want individuals to step out of their comfort zone and experience for one day a technology-filled future that C Spire and its partners are helping bring to life right here in our state,” said C Spire CEO Hu Meena. “It’s a future you’ve got to see to believe.”
The event will include a half-day information security summit for businesses from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. featuring thought leaders and industry experts from C Spire, Apple, Cisco, Hitachi Vantara, Horne Cyber and Dell Technologies in a series of talks and breakout sessions about the latest security trends and threats in the information technology world.
