Greenlight Introduces New Services to Keep Wilson Connected

Greenlight Community Broadband has released three new services to help Wilson residents stay connected during the coronavirus pandemic. Expanded free, public Wi-Fi, a low-cost residential internet option, and a flexible cell phone plan provide additional options for Wilson residents to stay connected on a budget.

Staying connected is much more than scrolling through a news feed. It is the ability to learn, work, access important services, maintain professional relationships, and support your family. Greenlight Community Broadband helps make that connection possible for Wilson residents by providing local fiber service tailored to the community's needs.

As a community-owned fiber network, Greenlight does more than provide internet service. Greenlight works to help Wilson residents access digital tools, supports students and educators, strengthens local infrastructure, and contributes to smart city projects that improve daily life. From affordable internet options to public WiFi access and community partnerships, Greenlight is committed to keeping Wilson connected.

Bridging the Digital Divide

Internet access should not be limited only to households that can afford monthly rates. Greenlight works to help more people in Wilson access the digital resources they need for school, work, communication, and daily responsibilities. This commitment includes affordable internet options, public access points, and flexible services designed to meet residents where they are.

Lifeline Service

Greenlight offers lifeline internet service for residents who need a more affordable way to stay connected. This basic internet option is available for $10 per month and provides enough bandwidth for common online needs. Students can use it to access remote learning tools, families can stay in touch, and residents can continue managing important tasks online.

For households, students, and residents working with limited budgets, Lifeline service helps reduce one of the biggest barriers to digital access. It gives more Wilson residents the opportunity to stay connected without taking on a higher monthly internet bill.

Expanded Free Wi-Fi

Greenlight recently added 30 new public Wi-Fi access points to expand coverage throughout Wilson. While available to everyone, the project was designed to provide students with a convenient Wi-Fi option for remote learning.

“We quickly realized the community need for more Wi-Fi, specifically for students to continue learning while schools are closed,” said Will Aycock, Greenlight General Manager. “We were able to deploy new access points across the community to make it easier for students to connect to school.”

We’ve also added a new map to show all of the new access points. To find the Wi-Fi closest to your house, enter your address at: https://gis.wilsonnc.org/CommunityMaps/greenlighthotspots

 Connect to “City of Wilson Free Public Wi-Fi” with no password required.

Additional access points can be added if needed. If you live inside the City of Wilson corporate limits and do not have Internet or Wi-Fi access, please contact Greenlight at 252-399-2200 or glsupport@wilsonnc.org

Greenlight has also expanded free public Wi-Fi access throughout Wilson. These access points make it easier for residents to connect when they lack reliable internet at home or need access while away. The expanded free Wi-Fi program was created with students in mind, especially during times when remote learning made internet access even more important.

Residents can connect to the City of Wilson Free Public Wi-Fi without a password. Greenlight also provides a public map that helps residents find the closest access point. If additional access points are needed, residents within the City of Wilson corporate limits can contact Greenlight for support.

Pre-Pay Service

Another way to save on an internet connection is to take advantage of the Greenlight Pre-Pay Service. This flexible option allows users to better manage their internet service payments each month.

Instead of relying solely on a traditional monthly billing structure, users can choose how much to pay for their internet service. For residents who need more control over monthly expenses, prepaid service offers a practical way to stay connected on their own terms.

Empowering the Next Generation

Greenlight Community Broadband helps support students, teachers, and local education through reliable fiber connections. As classrooms, assignments, research, and communication continue to rely on digital tools, strong internet access plays an important role in student success.

Public Schools

All Wilson County public schools are connected to Greenlight’s local fiber network. These connections give students, teachers, and staff the speed needed to support classroom technology, online learning platforms, digital assignments, and administrative operations.

Higher Education

Greenlight also supports higher education in Wilson. Barton College residence halls receive gigabit symmetrical service, helping students study, stream lectures, complete coursework, and stay connected without interruption. Wilson Community College also benefits from dedicated high-speed connections across campus, giving students and faculty stronger access to the tools they need.

Building North Carolina’s Smartest City

Greenlight’s work extends beyond residential and educational connectivity. The local fiber network also supports smart city projects that help Wilson operate more efficiently and respond to community needs faster.

Automated Meter Infrastructure

Automated Meter Infrastructure allows Wilson Energy to monitor utility usage in real time and respond to outages more quickly. Crews can identify issues within seconds and send workers to the right location. Customers also gain better insight into their energy use, helping them make more informed decisions.

Smart Waste Management

Wilson uses smart waste and recycling technology to improve city services. Some public trash and recycling containers include compactors and cloud-connected sensors that alert city workers when bins are full. This helps reduce unnecessary pickups and allows staff to focus resources where they are needed most.

Drone Data Collection

Greenlight’s local fiber network also supports real-time drone data collection. Drone imaging can assist with police investigations, emergency response, and city planning. With reliable connectivity, Wilson can use advanced tools to improve safety, gather information quickly, and support smarter decision-making.

Proudly Sponsoring Our Community

Greenlight is proud to support the Wilson community both online and offline. Community broadband is about more than speed. It is about improving the quality of life, creating opportunities, and helping residents participate in the events, programs, and resources that make Wilson stronger.

Through its support of youth programs, educational projects, and local festivals, Greenlight remains deeply involved in the community. This includes sponsoring the annual NC Whirligig Festival, as well as Wilson’s own Minor League Baseball team, the Warbirds!

Lifeline Internet Service Added

Recognizing the critical need for reliable internet access and the devastating effects the coronavirus is having on the economy, Greenlight has added a lifeline internet service option, designed to provide basic internet service for $10 per month. The basic service provides enough bandwidth for students to access remote learning tools.

To learn more about Greenlight Community Broadband or sign up for service, call 252 399 2200, email glsupport@wilsonnc.org, or sign up online.

Contact info to sign up at 252-399-2200 or glsupport@wilsonnc.org

Image credit: // Shutterstock // metamorworks