Consolidated Communications Partnering with New Hampshire Towns and the State to Fund $18 Million Broadband Expansion

Consolidated Communications announced plans to partner with the state of New Hampshire and local towns to invest nearly $18 million to expand and enhance broadband services across the state. Consolidated was awarded $3.5 million in grants from the state’s Connecting New Hampshire - Emergency Broadband Expansion Program to build high-speed, fiber-to-the-premises Internet networks to homes and businesses in Danbury, Springfield, and Mason. The company also received a separate grant to upgrade existing Internet services in the town of Errol. These grants will provide new and enhanced Internet services to more than 2,500 residents and businesses in New Hampshire. Consolidated will invest nearly $1.5 million to support these projects. 

In June, Gov Chris Sununu (R-NH) authorized the allocation and expenditure of $50 million from the state’s CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund for the creation of the Connecting New Hampshire - Emergency Broadband Expansion Program. Grants awarded through the program support the increased need for Internet connectivity due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the emphasis on distance learning, telework, telehealth and other remote services.