Nokia selected by Planters Broadband for fiber network in Georgia

AI-generated illustration: A person holds an internet cable overlooking a small rural town
The deal, partially funded through the U.S. BEAD program, will bring fast, secure, and reliable connectivity to underserved communities in southeast Georgia. (Midjourney for Fierce Network)

Nokia today announced it has been selected by Planters Broadband Cooperative to build an AI-ready fiber network that will strengthen critical infrastructure and deliver fast, secure, trusted, and reliable connectivity in rural southeast Georgia.

This latest win reinforces Nokia’s role as a trusted partner for U.S. regional broadband providers looking to expand fiber networks faster and more efficiently for communities, businesses, and public services. Nokia is helping operators such as Planters overcome the cost, complexity, and compliance challenges of rural broadband expansion — from scaling capacity and reducing operational burden to meeting U.S. Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) and Build America, Buy America (BABA) requirements — while building networks that are more automated, adaptive, and ready for future AI-era demand.

This fiber optic deployment supports BEAD-funded rural broadband expansion in Georgia and provides Planters with the ability to offer multi-gigabit broadband services and advanced in-home Wi-Fi services.

Read the full announcement here.