Fidium Fiber helps Vermont in achieving state connectivity goals
More than 50% of Vermonters now have access to fiber as Fidium has connected more than 134,000 Vermont homes and businesses in just three years; more to come in 2025
BURLINGTON, Vt. — Nov. 14, 2024 — Vermont has made significant progress on its connectivity goals, with more than 50% of Vermonters now having access to fiber broadband, according to Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB). Fidium Fiber has been a leader in the charge for fiber expansion, as in just three years it has brought fiber access to more than 134,000 Vermont homes and businesses, including for communities in three communications union districts (CUDs).
Fidium’s investment in Vermont has brought symmetrical, multi-gig speed internet to historic downtowns and rural dirt roads across the state, allowing Vermonters to access the benefits of fiber connection no matter their address. In the past year, partnerships with Southern Vermont CUD, Lamoille FiberNet and Otter Creek CUD have headlined Fidium’s expansion, each completing construction in less than 14 months and expanding fiber access to a combined 53,000-plus homes and businesses in 41 communities. In 2025, Fidium will expand to more than 50,000 additional homes and businesses in Vermont, bringing future-proof connectivity to even more communities.
“Today, 50% of Vermont addresses now have access to fiber, which we are way ahead of the rest of the country,” said Christine Hallquist, executive director of the VCBB said during Fidium Fiber’s ribbon cutting with Lamoille FiberNet in October. “Now is the time to think about the positive social impact of these investments. We all believe that this would be the way to turn the corner on the devolvement of our rural communities, and the data is showing that is exactly what it is doing. Thank you to everyone for all the work you have done to get here. By 2028 all of Vermont will be in the same position.”
“For rural communities, fiber transforms how we connect with one another, increasing access to educational, economic, healthcare and entertainment opportunities and options,” said Jeffrey Austin, vice president of Network Planning and Fiber Build Strategy for Fidium. “We are proud to continue to help build the future in Vermont, lighting up communities across the state and connecting more Vermonters to the benefits of Fidium.”
Recent studies confirm that fiber broadband drives economic growth, in particular for rural communities, increasing business growth by 213% and leading to 44% higher GDP. For individuals, fiber access resulted in self-employment growth of 10% and increased per capita income by 18%. Fiber also increases real estate values, as single-family homes with fiber access have a 4.9% higher value than those without. Fidium’s expansion of its all-fiber network brings these opportunities and all the benefits that come with access to a fiber broadband connection to Vermont communities.
Fidium has invested heavily in Vermont since it launched in 2021, working with communities to bring future-proof connectivity throughout the state. This includes partnerships with Southern Vermont CUD, Lamoille FiberNet and Otter Creek CUD, each selecting Fidium to help accomplish universal service coverage for member towns.
In 2025, Fidium is set to connect more than 50,000 additional Vermont homes and businesses and has partnered with the Chittenden County CUD to bring fiber access to previously unserved locations in its member communities. Residents and businesses may learn more and sign up for updates about future service availability at FidiumFiber.com.
Fidium delivers multi-gig-speed internet without contracts, installation fees or data caps. All Fidium plans offer reliable, symmetrical speeds from 100 Mbps to 2 Gigs (2000 Mbps). Fidium Fiber also offers VoIP phone service plans, and features speeds that allow customers to seamlessly stream their preferred TV and entertainment. Fidium recently was named in the Top10 providers for Real-World Speeds by BroadbandNow and earned the CNET Best of 2024 recognition for fiber providers.
For small businesses and entrepreneurs, Fidium@Work delivers the same reliability and flexibility with multi-gig speeds and additional robust business features to help businesses stay connected.
To learn more and sign up for Fidium today, visit FidiumFiber.com. Follow Fidium at Facebook.com/FidiumFiber, Twitter.com/FidiumFiber, Instagram.com/FidiumFiber and YouTube.com/FidiumFiber.
About Fidium Fiber
Fidium Fiber is a customer-centered, consumer fiber broadband service offering symmetrical multi-gig speeds and exceptional service. Fidium is available in California, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Texas and Vermont with new locations available daily. Fidium is a brand from Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. Consolidated is a leading broadband and business communications provider serving consumers, businesses, and wireless and wireline carriers across a 20-plus state service area. Learn more at FidiumFiber.com.