JOHNSON – Lamoille FiberNet, the communications union district (CUD) comprising 10 communities in Lamoille County, celebrated the region’s future during a ribbon cutting on Thursday, announcing the region as a Gig Community.
courtesy drawing
In Wolcott, a Lamoille FiberNet map shows service coming to the southwest of town, along the town’s border south of Vt. Rte. 15.
Through a partnership with Fidium Fiber, Lamoille FiberNet will accomplish its goal of universal service coverage for its communities. The CUD received a grant from the Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) in September of 2023. Consolidated Communications began construction in May this year to expand its Fidium Fiber network. More than 14,200 homes and businesses, about 95% of serviceable addresses in the Lamoille FiberNet area have access to Fidium’s future-proof multi-gig speed all fiber network.
“Lamoille FiberNet’s partnership with Consolidated Communications has brought world-class, high-speed Fidium Fiber to more than 4500 previously unserved addresses in Lamoille County in just over a year,” said Jeff Tilton, chair of Lamoille FiberNet. “By this time next year, every on-grid address in the district will have access to at least one high-speed broadband provider, ending the limitations of sub-par internet due to our rural location. This remarkable achievement is largely thanks to CCI’s significant capital investments, which have been critical in making county-wide connectivity a reality. Our 20-year agreement guarantees competitively priced, reliable broadband will be available well into the future.”
“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. “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 development of our rural communities, and the data is showing that is exactly what it is doing. Thank you everybody for all the work you have done to get here. By 2028 all of Vermont will be in the same position.”
“Our partnership with Lamoille FiberNet is an incredible example of how collaboration is key to achieving universal service,” said Sarah Davis, vice president of market development for Consolidated Communications. “With this new network from Fidium Fiber, generations of residents can enjoy the beauty and quality of life afforded by this area, without having to miss out on the myriad of opportunities the digital economy offers. We are very proud of the work we’ve done together, and we are so excited for the day we can announce that, with everyone’s help, Vermont has fiber to every home and business.”
Between grant funding from VCBB and private investment by Consolidated, more than $24 million went into bringing future-proof fiber to Lamoille County. Fiber broadband is rated as the best internet service delivery method among 63% 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% higher GDP and 18% higher per capita income. With Fidium’s network in Lamoille County spanning over 328 miles, expansion means residents and businesses will have access to these opportunities and all the benefits that come with access to fiber broadband connection.
Fidium, not Lamoille FiberNet, is building the network and providing service. Phase I is fully funded and is scheduled for 2024.
Lamoille FiberNet grant funding is only available for unserved and underserved addresses with E-911 telephone service. Fidium’s network will pass other addresses along the way, and those may also sign up for Fidium’s high speed internet.
Fidium Fiber 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.
Fidium representatives will be visiting the community soon, taking part in local events and sharing more information about service options and availability. 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.
Lamoille FiberNet is a Communications Union District covering the Lamoille County towns of, Belvidere, Cambridge, Eden, Elmore, Hyde Park, Johnson, Morristown, Stowe, Waterville, and Wolcott, organized under Vermont Legislation, VSA 30 Chapter 82. Its mission is to provide affordable and reliable high-speed internet service to every address in the 10 member towns.
Fidium Fiber is a brand from Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSL). 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.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
