FairPoint Communications announced it has met its goal to increase broadband access to 95 percent of its access lines in New Hampshire by December 31, 2013.
Since April 2008, FairPoint has invested more than $700 million in its communications infrastructure and technology to reach new customers, upgrade its network and expand broadband in northern New England, including building thousands of miles of new fiber across the region, offering customers a better, faster way to communicate. The company says this expansion provides the robust infrastructure to allow more Granite Staters to capitalize on the increased availability and better use the Internet. Here in NH, FairPoint has invested more than $72 million on broadband expansion.
"Broadband availability is essential to making New Hampshire a leader in the innovation economy. Access to broadband will help attract and grow businesses and ensure that those who find success, including small startups...," said Governor Maggie Hassan. "FairPoint's investment has helped expand the region's access to broadband and their network will help enhance and support economic development throughout our state."
Over the course of the five-year effort, FairPoint has turned up new high-speed Internet in more than 215 communities across the state making broadband available to more than 100,000 additional homes and businesses in NH. “FairPoint has been working hard to increase broadband availability and improve our telecommunications and data services network in New Hampshire,” said Pat McHugh, FairPoint’s NH president. “We are very pleased to announce that we have met the target to expand broadband to 95 percent of our access lines by the end of 2013. Broadband access is fundamental to the state’s future economic growth, job creation, expanding innovation and remaining globally competitive.”
FairPoint’s investment also resulted in an upgraded and improved network infrastructure. This fiber-based, high-capacity network delivers the critical bandwidth, data, and carrier Ethernet services that positions NH to compete in a technology-dependent world.
“We commend FairPoint for its investment in New Hampshire. Expanding broadband benefits the entire state as it connects New Hampshire businesses to customers and markets around the globe,” said Jeff Rose, commissioner of the Department of Resources and Economic Development in Concord. “Affordable and accessible broadband is vital to future economic growth and reaching 95 percent access through the Granite State is a major accomplishment.”
FairPoint’s network’s dedicated bandwidth can support multiple users and bandwidth-intensive applications like video conferencing and e-learning.
“FairPoint promised to expand broadband availability and they have made the investment needed to reach the target,” said Chairman Amy Ignatius of the NH Public Utilities Commission. “This expansion has significantly benefitted rural areas by bringing broadband to many New Hampshire consumers living in remote, hard to reach areas. We are very pleased that FairPoint has met its broadband commitment to the state.”
For more information, residential consumers can call 866.984.2001 and businesses should call 866.984.3001 or visit www.fairpoint.com .
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