NH to Invest $90 Million to Expand Broadband

New Hampshire aims to connect 48,015 homes and businesses to high-speed internet as part of a $90 million broadband fiber optic expansion program developed by the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA).

New Hampshire was one of the first states to receive approval for its broadband expansion program as part of the American Rescue Plan Act’s Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund. The first funding round awarded $50 million to bring high-speed internet to 23,259 addresses. The second round awarded another $40 million to connect an additional 24,757 addresses.

“These grants represent an historic investment in broadband expansion in the state,” says BEA Commissioner Taylor Caswell. “We have rural communities that have been waiting for decades to upgrade from dial-up or DSL speeds. Once complete, New Hampshire will be among the most connected states in the nation, allowing our residents and businesses to participate in the digital economy.” 

So far almost 54 miles of fiber have been strung through Campton, Hebron, Holderness, Plymouth and Rumney. The state also recnetly completed preparing for deployment in Belknap, Carrol, Cheshire, Coos, Grafton, Hillsboro, Merrimack and Sullivan Counties while work continues in Grafton County.

Once deployment and testing are completed, in-home installations will begin.