Consolidated Unveils New High

Jun 13, 2023

NASHUA, NH — The war over the New Hampshire Internet consumer just got a little more interesting after one company announced a new fiber-optic service in dozens of communities that will offer high-speed broadband for between $35 to $70 per month, to start.

Consolidated Communications launched Fidium Fiber, a new multi-gigabit broadband Internet service, in a number of communities in New Hampshire, offering speeds that the company said were 20 times faster than the national average. The company has priced 1 gig Internet at $70 per month, for one year, which includes installation and wi-fi equipment — with no data caps, contracts, or required bundles. The service also offers two wireless extenders, at no additional charge, in an effort to ensure whole-home coverage in larger locations. The price increases to $95 per month in the second year.

The company is offering two other plans: 250 Mbps at $60 a month for a year (with an $85 per month charge after a year) and a 50 Mbps plan for $35 per month for the first year (and $55 after). Customers that subscribe with auto-pay and paperless bills get a $5 discount.

"Fidium was designed to deliver a better internet and WiFi service experience, exceeding customers’ expectations at every step," Erik Garr, president of consumer and small business for Consolidated, said. "We listened to internet users’ complaints about their current providers. We built Fidium differently from the ground up to give people what they want and deserve from their internet company. We’re delivering super-fast, reliable gigabit fiber internet that keeps households and communities thriving. Fidium makes it simple, with great service, competitive pricing, and a customer experience that makes people smile."

Patch communities with access to Fidium include Amherst, Bedford, Exeter, Hampton, Londonderry, Merrimack, Milford, Nashua, Portsmouth, Salem, and Windham.

The company said new locations will be rolling out weekly across New Hampshire.

The announcement comes as the industry is beginning to shift from cable television and Internet offerings to faster speeds as customers stream more content and "cut the cord" when it comes to wired cable television. Some companies, like Comcast, in order to make up lost revenue from cord-cutters, have proposed implementing data cap overage fees. Comcast put the data cap proposal for New Hampshire on hold until 2022.

Consolidated has been expanding high-speed fiber-optic service in the state for a number of years since the company acquired FairPoint Communications in 2016. The purchase was made about seven years after FairPoint emerged from bankruptcy, after buying all of the landline operations of Verizon Communications in New Hampshire as well as Maine and Vermont in 2007.

A number of Seacoast and Rockingham County communities were upgraded by Consolidated in June.

Atlantic Broadband, another Internet company servicing New Hampshire after acquiring MetroCast, is also getting into the expansion act, too, making a decision to offer service in Concord recently.

Consolidated has more than 36,000 miles of fiber-optic in 23 states and is considered the 10th largest provider of fiber-optic in the country.

For more information, visit FidiumFiber.com.

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