Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Wire 3 has announced pre-sales for a $36 million fiber-optic internet network in Anderson Thursday at the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce, with the first customers expected to receive service before the end of the year.
Anderson is the Florida-based company’s first South Carolina market and part of a planned $147 million investment across the Upstate. The initial Anderson network is expected to reach about 40,000 homes in the city and surrounding areas, CEO Jai Ramachandran said.
The first few thousand homes should have access by year’s end, he said. Completing the Anderson network is expected to take 18-24 months.
“When we first chose Anderson as Wire 3’s entry into South Carolina, we saw a community with strong local pride and growing momentum,” Ramachandran said. “Launching pre-sales is an exciting next step in delivering on our commitment to Anderson.”
The company advertises fiber internet speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second, with equal upload and download speeds. Its Anderson website lists plans ranging from 250 megabits per second to 10 gigabits per second, with no contracts, included Wi-Fi equipment and professional installation. Actual speeds may vary depending on equipment and other factors.
Ramachandran said Anderson’s residential and commercial growth helped attract Wire 3, while cooperation from local governments and the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce helped make the city the company’s first South Carolina market.
“The reason Anderson is first, quite honestly, beyond the opportunity, is the open and welcome arms that we’ve gotten from both the city, the county, and the chamber,” he said.
That assistance included coordination with public works employees and city offices on construction permits, he said.
Wire 3’s broader Upstate investment is intended to reach about 150,000 homes. Construction is underway in Anderson and Easley, with additional expansion planned in Central, Clemson, Travelers Rest and Pendleton.
Ramachandran said the expansion will create jobs in construction, utilities, marketing, sales, installation and field services. The company did not announce a local hiring total.
Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts said the new provider will give residents and businesses another option.
“Competition is good,” Roberts said. “Options are good for our citizens, and so we appreciate everything that your company’s doing.”
Wire 3 is installing its network underground and along utility poles. Residents may see crews working in their neighborhoods several months before service becomes available, Ramachandran said.
Residents and businesses can check availability and register their interest at wire3.com/anderson-sc. Service will become available in stages as construction progresses.
People whose addresses are not yet eligible for installation or pre-orders can submit their contact information to receive updates, Ramachandran said.
“As soon as that service becomes available, we’ll send you an email and send you a text and give you a call to let you know,” he said.
The company also plans to send postcards and advertise in neighborhoods as service becomes available.
Ramachandran said equal upload and download speeds can benefit people working from home, participating in video meetings or transferring large files.
“That upload speed really starts to matter when you’re working from home,” he said.
Wire 3, based in Daytona Beach, Florida, was founded in 2021. Ramachandran said the company has about 250 employees and considers customer service a priority.
“When you call our call center, what you’re going to get is live, local, and knowledgeable customer support,” he said.
He said he personally responds to customer emails and expects employees to take service concerns seriously.
“I can’t promise a resolution immediately, but I can promise you that the person you talk to is really going to care about that solution,” he said.
Anderson County Councilman Chris Sullivan said his interest in bringing another provider to the area grew after Hurricane Helene left his household without internet service for about a month.
The experience showed how much residents depend on internet access and how frustrating a prolonged outage can be, he said.
“Everything runs off of it,” Sullivan said. “You become dependent on it, and when you take it away, it’s a huge inconvenience.”
Sullivan said he welcomed the opportunity when he was approached about Wire 3 expanding into Anderson.
Brandie Greer, CEO of the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber wants to help residents learn about additional services and choices.
“The internet was a luxury back in the day, and today is a necessity,” Greer said. “Everything is connected. Everybody is connected, and you have to have it.”
At the launch celebration, Wire 3 presented Homeland Park Primary School with a $5,000 donation.
Principal Nicole Torbert-Moorer said community support helps the school expand opportunities for students.
“We’re grateful to Wire 3 for this generous investment in our school,” said Torbert-Moorer. “Support from community partners helps Homeland Park create more opportunities for our students as they prepare for their futures.”
Ramachandran, a father of three, said education is a personal priority and supporting local organizations is part of the company’s approach to entering new communities.
“You can’t say you serve a community unless you show up every day for that community, not just when it’s time to collect the check,” he said.
