High-speed Internet now available in parts of Broome, Chenango, and Delaware Counties, New York
More than 7,000 addresses now have access to new, faster Internet speeds
More than 7,000 business and home addresses in Harpursville, Afton, Windsor, Deposit and surrounding communities now have access to broadband at speeds of up to 100Mbps thanks to the completion of three grant-supported network improvement projects. These fiber-to-the-home projects were funded by TDS Telecom (TDS®) and the New NY Broadband Program.
“The improvements have been rolling out to customers since the start of the year,” explains Scott Brooks, state government affairs manager for TDS. “The outpouring of orders we’ve received reflects how excited residents are to receive faster and more reliable Internet service.”
The launch of 100Mbps service marks the completion of a multi-phase grant project that the New NY Broadband Program awarded to TDS for areas within its Deposit Telephone Company footprint including: Barbourville, Big Hollow, Gulf Summit, Hale Eddy, Hambletville, McClure, Sanford, Stilesville, and Oquaga Lake. The projects in nearby Harpursville and Afton were completed in February, Windsor launched in March, and the Deposit area is also now ready for customer orders.
To enable the faster speeds, TDS has installed more than 475 miles of fiber-optic cable for the projects. The state-of-the-art fiber infrastructure now delivers Internet speeds from 25Mbps to 100Mbps.
“We congratulate TDS Telecom on its expansion of high-speed Internet service in partnership with the Broadband Program Office,” said Jeffrey Nordhaus, Empire State Development Executive Vice President of Innovation and Broadband. “Broadband is a necessity for all communities in today’s economy and this launch will bring broadband to more than 7,000 locations in Broome, Chenango, and Delaware Counties.”
TDS was awarded nine grants worth approximately $21.4 million statewide as part of the New NY Broadband Program and TDS is investing more than $13 million. TDS was awarded three different state grants for its Deposit Telephone Company exchanges. In addition to these Deposit projects, TDS has also completed network upgrade projects in its Edwards Telephone Company and Township Telephone Company footprints. TDS’ remaining grants will impact residents and businesses in the Port Byron Telephone Company footprint.
About the New NY Broadband Program
In 2015, New York State established the $500 million New NY Broadband Program, the largest and most ambitious State broadband investment in the nation. The Program provides New York State grant funding to support projects that deliver high-speed Internet access to Unserved and Underserved areas of the State, with priority given to Unserved areas, libraries and educational opportunity centers. The Broadband Program Office at Empire State Development, New York’s chief economic development agency, administers the program.
