CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) announced that it has expanded broadband to more than 7,500 rural homes and businesses in South Carolina as part of the company’s commitment to bring high-speed internet to more Americans.

Communities that now have broadband service include the Estill, Ridgeland, and Saluda areas, thanks to CenturyLink’s participation in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Connect America Fund (CAF).

“We know broadband brings many benefits to communities, including better access to jobs, education, and healthcare services,” said Jim Dickens, vice president of operations at CenturyLink. “That’s why we’ve worked hard to expand broadband to more homes and businesses in our smaller, more rural U.S. markets.”

In August 2015, CenturyLink accepted CAF II money, to be received over six years, from the FCC and committed to bring broadband with download speeds of at least 10 Mbps to approximately 8,500 locations in FCC-designated, high-cost census blocks in South Carolina.

To date, CenturyLink has successfully enabled more than 7,500 locations in South Carolina over the last three years, significantly exceeding its year-end 2018 CAF enablement goal in the state.

CenturyLink has already enabled broadband to approximately 750,000 homes and businesses nationwide across rural America over the last three years in conjunction with the CAF program.

Depending on location, a variety of speeds may be available. Customers can order service or check service availability in their area by visiting https://www.centurylink.com/ordernow/ or calling CenturyLink at (888) 544-4451.