Consolidated keeps fiber pedal to the metal in Q3, plans new branding push

Consolidated Communications is on pace to exceed its 2021 goal for gigabit-capable fiber upgrades after the independent telco reported that it had achieved 97,000 upgrades in the third quarter. The figure, reported as part of the company’s third quarter earnings, comes after Consolidated reported 76,000 fiber upgrades in the second quarter this year and 46,000 in the first quarter as it embarked on a goal to reach almost 2 million fiber upgrades by 2025. “We are executing well and ahead of schedule on our fiber network deployment and are on track to upgrade more than 300,000 locations to gig-capable fiber this year," said Bob Udell, president and CEO at Consolidated. "So far in 2021, we have increased consumer fiber connections 20 percent year to date and grew consumer data average revenue per unit 7 percent. This progress positions Consolidated for ongoing growth and opportunity as we prepare to launch a new brand, introducing a superior fiber product and exceptional customer experience." Within the next month, Consolidated will add even more fuel to its fiber fire with the planned mid-November launch of new branding that will highlight Consolidated’s offering of symmetrical 1 Gbps upload/download speeds and whole-home mesh Wi-Fi without data caps or contract requirements, Udell said.