Salem, North Hampton Residents To Get Fiber Optic

MANCHESTER, NH — Expanded fiber optic Internet service is coming to small businesses and residents on the Seacoast and in southern New Hampshire communities beginning this month.

Consolidated Communications said Wednesday "competitively priced, super-fast fiber broadband services" would be available to around 32,000 customers in Durham, Kingston, North Hampton, Pelham, Raymond, Rye, Salem, and Seabrook. The company said it expected its expansion to be completed by the end of the year, which would lead to an upgrade to more than 70 percent of its service footprint. Multi-gigabit speeds are expected by 2025, the company said.

"Thousands of New Hampshire residents can now get some of the fastest internet speeds in the country," Erik Garr, the president of consumer and small business services at Consolidated Communications, said. "By delivering fiber network connectivity to residents and small businesses in communities across the state, we’re helping to drive economic development and provide numerous benefits and opportunities that will, undoubtedly, improve quality of life for all."

The network will allow customers to video stream, enable smart-home devices, gaming, and uploads and downloads without interruption. The company said the optic will be an always-on, dedicated connection, with no data caps.

The company is also expanding fiber-optic Internet in Keene and other locations in New Hampshire, northern New England, and other states, too.

Got a news tip? Send it to tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos on Tony Schinella's YouTube.com channel or Rumble.com channel.