New Hampshire First State to Implement Broadband Expansion

Harmony, NH – At this time, Governor Chris Sununu and Commissioner of the Division of Enterprise and Financial Affairs Taylor Caswell issued the next statements after New Hampshire was introduced as the primary state within the nation to obtain approval for its broadband enlargement plan. The $50 million plan is targeted on the buildout of unserved and underserved places using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act’s (ARPA) Coronavirus Capital Tasks Fund (CPF).

“In 2020, New Hampshire took the daring step of allocating quick time period CARES Act Funds to broadband enlargement – dedicating $13 million to 16 tasks that benefitted over 4,500 households, nicely earlier than the federal authorities even created a program to take action themselves,” stated Governor Chris Sununu. “At this time’s announcement is one other step ahead as NH continues to function a pacesetter in increasing broadband providers.”

“I’m extremely pleased with the work our staff has carried out to ascertain New Hampshire as a nationwide chief on this historic broadband enlargement effort,” stated Taylor Caswell, commissioner of the Division of Enterprise and Financial Affairs (BEA). “We all know how important entry to dependable high-speed broadband is just not solely to our New Hampshire small companies immediately, however to help the roles of tomorrow. That is among the the reason why it’s entrance and middle as a part of the state’s Financial Restoration and Enlargement Technique and why we are going to proceed to drive this effort sooner or later.”
 
New Hampshire’s Statewide Broadband Construct Program estimates it can serve 15,000 houses and companies in rural and distant areas, representing roughly 50% of places within the state that lack entry to high-speed web. This system is designed to pick out and help a neighborhood web service supplier (ISP) to offer web service to essentially the most rural components of the state missing web service. This system will prioritize candidates that encourage the utmost variety of places to be served on the lowest value and broadband networks that might be owned, operated by, or affiliated with native governments, non-profits, and co-operatives. The request for proposal might be launched Friday, June 10.
 
Be aware: BEA at the moment has a Request for Proposal (RFP) for state-specific broadband mapping, which can analyze the present state of broadband sources and connectivity in New Hampshire. Extra details about the New Hampshire Division of Enterprise and Financial Affairs broadband applications is on the market at www.broadbandnh.com.