LiveOak Fiber Secures $425M to Fuel Southeast Internet Expansion

BRUNSWICK, Ga. – April 09, 2026 – LiveOak Fiber, a regional fiber-to-the-home internet provider, has secured a landmark $425 million credit facility, signaling a dramatic acceleration of its network expansion across the Southeast. The funding, provided by global credit manager Oak Hill Advisors (OHA) and digital infrastructure investor Palistar Capital, will inject significant capital into LiveOak's mission to build out its all-fiber footprint in existing and planned markets across Florida and Georgia.

The investment marks a major vote of confidence in LiveOak's strategy, which combines rapid infrastructure deployment with a community-centric operating model. Since its founding in 2022, the company has aggressively targeted underserved and growing coastal communities, challenging incumbent providers with a modern, high-speed network.

A Bet on Bandwidth and Local Roots

This substantial capital infusion is seen not just as funding for infrastructure, but as an endorsement of LiveOak Fiber's unique business strategy. In a crowded marketplace dominated by national giants, the company has differentiated itself with what it calls a "fiercely local" operating model.

"LiveOak Fiber has achieved rapid expansion in a short period of time," said Shane Schilling, CEO of LiveOak Fiber, in a statement. "What differentiates LiveOak Fiber is our fiercely local operating model. We have full-time local teams on the ground delivering installation, support, and community engagement, and with this new funding, we are positioned to accelerate our build-out and continue gaining momentum across our footprint."

This approach has translated into tangible results, including the creation of over 150 local jobs and a certification as a Great Place to Work. By embedding teams within the communities they serve, from Brunswick, Georgia, to the Florida Panhandle, LiveOak aims to deliver a higher level of customer service and responsiveness than its larger competitors. Customer reviews frequently praise the professionalism of local installation crews and the accessibility of regional support staff, a stark contrast to the often-frustrating experience of dealing with national call centers.

"This additional capital is a strong signal of confidence in the team and reinforces LiveOak as a fully integrated growth engine with substantial long-term value," noted Filip Guz, Partner at InfraRed Capital Partners, an early backer of LiveOak Fiber.

The Digital Infrastructure Gold Rush

The deal also highlights a powerful trend in finance: Wall Street's immense appetite for digital infrastructure. Investors like OHA and Palistar Capital are increasingly channeling billions into the foundational assets of the digital economy—fiber optic cables, data centers, and cell towers.

Palistar Capital, in particular, brings deep expertise in this sector. The firm has a track record of backing mission-critical digital assets, including its successful consolidation of CTI Towers and Symphony Wireless into one of the largest private telecom infrastructure platforms in the United States. Its investment in LiveOak Fiber aligns perfectly with its strategy of funding high-growth companies that are expanding essential connectivity.

Oak Hill Advisors, the private markets platform of T. Rowe Price managing over $111 billion, provides the financial muscle and credit expertise to structure such a large-scale facility. Its participation underscores the maturity and stability of fiber-to-the-home as a long-term, revenue-generating asset class. For these investors, LiveOak represents a well-managed company poised to capture market share in high-growth regions where the demand for reliable, high-speed internet continues to soar.

Rewiring the Southeast

Prior to this funding, LiveOak Fiber had already invested over $200 million and laid more than 1,000 miles of fiber optic cable. The company has made significant inroads in Florida's Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay Counties and Georgia's Glynn and Chatham Counties. It has focused on building a 100% buried network, a strategic choice that, while more capital-intensive upfront, provides greater protection from storms and other service disruptions, enhancing network reliability to a promised 99.99%.

This new capital will enable LiveOak to accelerate its build-out, more aggressively challenging established providers like AT&T, Spectrum, and Xfinity. The company's goal is to become the premier alternative for residents and businesses seeking faster speeds and lower latency for everything from remote work and online education to AI applications and smart home technology.

"LiveOak Fiber is being built to scale across every customer type, from single-family homes to businesses to multi-tenant communities," said Steve Smith, Founder and Chief Revenue Officer. "This investment enables us to continue to drive lasting value while consistently delivering a premium customer experience across our markets."

More Than Just Speed: Community and Economic Impact

Beyond the technical specifications, the expansion is set to deliver significant economic and social benefits. By extending its network to historically underserved areas like Tybee Island and the Bacon Park neighborhood in Savannah, LiveOak is helping to bridge the digital divide. Reliable, high-speed internet is no longer a luxury but an essential utility, unlocking access to telehealth, remote job opportunities, and global markets.

The company actively engages with residents through its "LiveOak Locale" (LOL) pop-up events and local partnerships, seeking to build genuine connections. This community-first approach, combined with the promise of a superior product, forms the core of its strategy to win over customers one neighborhood at a time.

With J.P. Morgan acting as structuring agent on the deal, the new credit facility provides a long runway for growth. As LiveOak Fiber deploys this capital to lay more cable, connect more homes, and hire more local talent, it is not just building an internet network; it is investing in the long-term economic vitality and digital future of the Southeast.