AvidXchange Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: AVDX) and its partners have completed the first stage of a Wi-Fi infrastructure project providing access to underserved areas.
AvidXchange, with the help of Open Broadband, installed a gigabit fiber connection on its headquarters roof just north of uptown. The connection can extend to the water tower at Camp North End as well as the one off Beatties Ford Road. The city of Charlotte set up an endpoint at The Ritz at Washington Height at Beatties Ford Road and Tate Street, giving residents access to free high-speed internet at that location.
There's much more to do. AvidXchange and the city want to identify more endpoint locations on the north and west sides, said Rob Phocas, director of corporate social responsibility at AvidXchange. There could be additional opportunities for Beatties Ford Road or Graham Street, for example.
Phocas, who worked at the city on similar projects, said there wasn't a unified corporate voice in Charlotte to tackle the digital divide.
AvidXchange created its Tech Rising initiative in 2020, addressing the issue in three ways — providing technology devices, offering digital literacy education and creating better access to internet. The initiative has about 30 corporate partners signed on, Phocas said.
Phocas said other companies in the larger uptown area expressed interest in installing antennas. Others could step up with financial support or to provide resources to promote literacy.
"Even though the antenna is up on the roof, you might think our work is done, but a part of Tech Rising is working really closely with the communities in the north end and the Center of Digital Equity (at Queens University)," he said. "We don't want to just stick up endpoints to say we put up a dozen here and a dozen there because, if they're not being used, it's a waste of money and it's not meeting the community need."
Rachel Stark, Smart Cities program manager in Charlotte, said the city received $1.5 million in CARES Act funding to support public Wi-Fi projects, including this one. Covid further exacerbated the digital divide. Stark said the internet is a way for people to participate in their communities and take advantage of economic opportunities. Users can complete homework or apply for jobs online, even if their data plans are expended.
The cost to build out infrastructure on the recent north- and west-end projects was more than $53,500, which covers infrastructure, equipment, connection and installation labor at four sites. It will cost about $14,000 for internet connection each year and to service, maintain and support the sites, according to a city spokesperson.
"We've taken the lead in a lot of ways to figure out where can we roll this out, how can we roll this out," Stark said. "Through this work, there's this opportunity to continue to expand on ... especially the internet access component, but we wouldn't just leave it at internet access."
Phocas said there is no set goal for how many endpoints to install. It will be based on how the project progresses and what resources are available. AvidXchange will maintain its rooftop antenna.
