Fidium Fiber expansion underway in Ossipee
OSSIPEE– Fidium Fiber is expanding its all-fiber internet network in Ossipee, Center Ossipee, Freedom and Effingham, as well as parts of Tamworth, Tuftonboro and Wolfeboro, bringing multi-gig speed service to more than 9,000 homes and businesses in the communities.
“We in the Ossipee area are beyond excited to welcome fiber internet,” said Matt Sawyer Jr., town administrator for the Town of Ossipee. “Although we love our area and live here for good reason, one of the challenges has been connectivity. Knowing that the entire footprint will have access to affordable, high-speed internet changes the game. We are thrilled for the residents of this beautiful but previously underserved area.”
Fiber broadband is rated as the best internet service delivery method among 63 percent of U.S. consumers, featuring faster upload and download speeds compared to other connection types.
For rural communities in particular, fiber drives economic growth, leading to 44 percent higher GDP and 18 percent higher per capita income.
Fidium’s expansion of its all fiber, future-proof network brings these opportunities and all the benefits that come with access to a fiber broadband connection to Ossipee.
“We are thrilled to be able to bring Fidium Fiber to the Ossipee area, and we appreciate the community’s patience while we build this new fiber infrastructure”, said Jeffrey McIver, senior government relations manager for Consolidated Communications. “We have seen how fiber has transformed communities, connecting residents and businesses to opportunities not previously accessible. Over the next several months, we will be working to expand our multi-gig speed all-fiber network and upgrade locations to access our future-proof fiber internet.”
Today, more than 250,000 New Hampshire homes and businesses have access to Fidium, with the Ossipee area to be connected soon.
Fiber infrastructure construction is now underway with exact start dates varying by location. To check your address for service availability, go to FidiumFiber.com.
The work of installing new fiber optic lines along roads and in public utility areas requires some digging and climbing of utility poles.
Crews will be working along the edge of private property within the public right-of-way and/or public utility easements. This work may require some temporary traffic detours, noise and dust.
Paint markings and/or flags may be placed in areas where construction is active. Flags will be removed once work is complete in the area. Crews will work quickly, clean up after themselves and will aim to minimize any disruption.
More information on the fiber build progress will be shared with town and city officials, as well as residents. Mailers, door hangers and construction alerts will be distributed to keep the public informed, and Fidium representatives will be visiting neighborhoods to share more about what to expect during construction, and how to sign up to be the first notified as soon as service is ready to install.
The Ossipee area is just one region in New Hampshire where Fidium Fiber, a subsidiary of Consolidated Communications has been expanding over the past year.
The expansion is part of a $90 million project by Consolidated Communications to bring fiber-to-the-home internet service to unserved locations in more than 35 towns in Carroll, Chesire, Coos, Grafton, Hillsborough and Sullivan counties.
The project has been partially funded by a $40 million is provided by grant funding from the New Hampshire Department of Businesses and Economic Affairs.
In January it began expanding its high speed internet access in the Coos County towns of Berlin, Gorham, Randolph, and Shelburne, with Dummer, Milan and Erroll following later.
In September, the company announced it had also expanded to the Coos towns of Northumberland, Stark and Stratford, as well as Maidstone, Vt.
Fidium Fiber for the home delivers reliable symmetrical (same upload and download speeds), fiber internet without contracts, data caps, installation fees, or hassles. Fidium offers plans from 100 Mbps to 2 Gigs (2000 Mbps), VoIP phone service, and a variety of streaming options for TV and entertainment. Plans start out at $25 a month for reliable, symmetrical speeds from 100 Mbps to 2 Gigs (2000 Mbps).
To learn more about the fiber internet construction process and sign up for updates on the installation’s progress, go fidiumfiber.com/expanding.
Residents with specific construction questions or concerns should contact (877) 769-4771.