Connect Holdings LLC (Brightspeed)

Brightspeed is a telecommunications and internet service provider established in 2022, operating under the legal entity Connect Holdings LLC. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the company's core mission is to bridge the digital divide by delivering fast, reliable, and affordable internet services to historically underserved rural and suburban communities across its 20-state footprint.

The company offers a range of products including high-speed fiber internet with multi-gig speeds up to 8 Gig, as well as broadband and voice services for residential, small-to-medium business, public sector, and wholesale customers. Brightspeed emphasizes straightforward plans, unlimited data, and no annual contracts. It primarily serves areas in the Midwest, Southeast, and parts of the Mid-Atlantic, focusing on transforming legacy copper networks into modern fiber infrastructure.

Brightspeed is a privately held company, owned by funds managed by Apollo Global Management. Since its launch, Brightspeed has made significant multi-billion-dollar investments in its fiber network buildout, aiming to reach over 5 million homes and businesses. By April 2026, the company had surpassed 3 million fiber-enabled locations and continues to announce fiber build milestones across various states. Michel Combes was appointed Executive Chairman of the Board and acting CEO in June 2025, succeeding Tom Maguire. Brightspeed is recognized as the nation's fifth-largest incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) and the third-largest builder of fiber broadband networks in the U.S.