Posted: July 20, 2023
Valparaiso, FL – Today Cox Communications celebrated the expansion of its footprint in several areas of Okaloosa County as part of the company’s commitment to invest hundreds of millions of dollars to reach underserved and rural communities nationwide. Residents interested in learning more about service should visit Cox.com/getfiber.
Building on its longstanding efforts to create digital equity, this expansion will allow Cox to provide reliable symmetrical gigabit internet speeds across a fiber-powered network to residents and businesses in the city of Valparaiso and along Highway 90 east of Crestview from Deerland to the Walton County line.
During the celebration announcement held at the Okaloosa STEMM Academy in Valparaiso, Cox also presented the Okaloosa Education Foundation with a gift of $25,000 to support STEM based technology needs at the school.
“Connectivity is at the heart of everything we do, and bringing strong broadband connections to more homes and businesses in Okaloosa County will have a positive ripple effect throughout the community,” said Mark Greatrex, president of Cox Communications. “Cox is dedicated to ensuring digital equity, and it’s very important that every household in the communities we serve has access to a broadband connection, no matter what their income.”
In addition to private investments, Cox is also seeking public-private partnerships to help accelerate broadband deployment to unserved and underserved communities. Earlier this month, through Florida’s Broadband Infrastructure Program, Cox was awarded funds to further extend service in areas of northwest and central Florida to households without access to reliable broadband.
Cox is continuing to build upon its proven track record of delivering technology investments. In the last 10 years, the company has invested more than $11 billion in network upgrades to deliver some of the most powerful internet, TV, phone, smart home and mobile services and will continue making multibillion-dollar annual infrastructure investments over the next several years. The company has a strong history of bringing the most advanced technology to offer speed, reliability and performance when customers need it.
“While all Cox customers in the Gulf Coast today can access Gig speeds, we’re committed to giving customers options when it comes to the connection they need,” said David Deliman, Cox Gulf Coast market vice president. “Our customers have counted on our reliable service for nearly 50 years, and through continued investment we remain dedicated to being the internet provider customers can count on for the access they need now and in the future.”
Cox delivers value beyond superior internet and entertainment services in the communities it serves. A recent economic impact assessment reported that in the Gulf Coast Cox has made a total economic impact of more than $530 million and generates over $18.5 million annually in state and local taxes and franchise fees. Cox has over 350 local employees and supports more than 1,669 jobs in the community. In addition, Cox is proud to support local nonprofits to build a better future for the next generation. Last year, Cox donated over $1.6 million in cash and in-kind services to charitable organizations across the Gulf Coast.
Cox Communications is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through technology. As the largest private broadband company in America, we operate fiber broadband networks in more than 30 states, providing connections and advanced cloud and managed IT services for nearly seven million homes and businesses nationwide. We're dedicated to empowering others to build a better future and celebrate diverse products, people, suppliers, communities and the characteristics that make each one unique. Cox Communications is the largest division of Cox Enterprises, a family-owned business founded in 1898 by Governor James M. Cox.
