Consolidated Communications (NASDAQ:CNSL) announced the completion of a year-long project to expand and upgrade broadband to businesses and residents of Brooklin, ME, a town of 824 on the state's coast.
One year after the town voted to approve the partnership, Consolidated announced completion of the expanded and upgraded network. The project included additional fiber capacity, upgrading existing equipment and building new remote terminal sites to expand broadband availability and provide faster Internet service in the town. The project is also intended to pave the way for future technology implementations and upgrades.
"When we began this build, we had no way of knowing that its completion would coincide with a global pandemic," said Rob Koester. "At Consolidated, we understand just how crucial reliable high-speed Internet is for businesses and residents, and we're thrilled to offer more people in Brooklin the tools they need to stay connected."
Network construction was jointly funded by Consolidated and the town of Brooklin, and was completed on schedule. Consolidated crews placed approximately 22,600 feet of new fiber-optic cable in the town and installed battery backup for four remote terminals bolstering network reliability.
"From the beginning, residents and businesses in our town have expressed their enthusiastic support for broadband expansion," said Bill Cohen, chairman of the Brooklin select board. "Now more than ever, access to reliable high-speed Internet is absolutely essential - and through our partnership with Consolidated, we are pleased to be able to expand availability and upgrade speeds in Brooklin."
Consolidated Communications is working to bring better broadband Internet services to other unserved and underserved rural communities throughout Northern New England. In 2019 Chesterfield, NH, residents voted to enter into a public-private partnership with Consolidated Communications to build a high-speed, fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) Internet network directly to all homes and businesses. So far in 2020, Consolidated has entered into five additional public-private partnerships with Walpole, Dublin, Westmoreland, Rindge and Harrisville, NH.