For years, the "digital divide" in Pender County was simple: if you lived in a subdivision in Hampstead, you had cable. If you lived on acreage in Currie, Atkinson, or Watha, you had a cellular hotspot or a slow DSL line that disconnected every time it rained.

Then came Starlink. Elon Musk’s satellite internet promised high-speed connectivity anywhere with a clear view of the sky.

Simultaneously, however, local provider FOCUS Broadband (formerly ATMC) began an aggressive fiber expansion into rural Pender.

For buyers and investors looking at land or homes in Burgaw, Rocky Point, or Maple Hill, the internet question is no longer just about "getting connected." It is about choosing the right infrastructure for long-term value.

The Contenders

Starlink: Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite internet.
Best for: True off-grid locations where no cables exist.
Cost: High equipment fee ($599+) and ~$120/month.

Fiber Optic (FOCUS Broadband / Brightspeed): Physical glass cables buried underground.
Best for: Stability, gaming, and work-from-home reliability.
Cost: Generally lower monthly rates ($60–$100) and minimal setup fees.

Myth vs. Reality in Coastal NC

Myth: "Starlink is just as good as Fiber."
Reality: In a speed test, maybe. In a Zoom call during a thunderstorm? No.

Starlink is a miracle for remote areas, often hitting download speeds of 100+ Mbps. However, because it relies on satellites, it is susceptible to "rain fade." In South Eastern NC, where heavy summer thunderstorms are a daily occurrence, Starlink users often experience micro-outages. Fiber, buried underground, is unaffected by wind, rain, or cloud cover.

Myth: "I can get Fiber anywhere in Hampstead now."
Reality: Expansion is "street by street."

We frequently see listings in Rocky Point or western Pender County that say "Fiber Available." This can be tricky. The main line might run down the state highway, but if the house sits 500 feet back on a private dirt road, the cost to run that line to the actual house could be thousands of dollars—a cost often passed to the buyer.

The "Work from Home" Value

From a resale perspective, Fiber is king. Appraisers and savvy buyers in Surf City and Hampstead are beginning to view high-speed, hardwired internet as a utility as essential as power.

Latency Matters: If you trade stocks, game online, or use VoIP phones, Starlink's latency (25–50ms) is good, but Fiber's (5–10ms) is near-instant.

The Tree Problem: Starlink needs a massive field of view. On a heavily wooded lot in Holly Shelter, you might have to cut down significant trees to get a stable signal, altering the privacy and aesthetic of your property.

Your Next Step

Don't rely on a Zillow description to tell you if a home has "High Speed Internet." That term is subjective. You need to know specifically: Is it satellite, or is it glass in the ground?

At Aspyre Realty Group, we understand that for modern buyers, "location, location, location" includes "connection, connection, connection." We are experts in listening to your lifestyle needs—whether that’s streaming 4K movies or running a business from a farmhouse—and communicating that into homes that work for you. Before you fall in love with a rural retreat, let us help you verify exactly what digital infrastructure is available at the street.