New Hampshire is All-In for Broadband

Broadband is the future of New Hampshire, we reported in June as the state was one of the first to win approval from the U.S. Treasury for plans to use Capital Projects Fund support to extend the reach of broadband networks. On September 8, we learned that New Hampshire is once again leading the way—now it is the first state to gain approval for a second wave of Capital Projects Fund support. New Hampshire's plans are designed to connect 80% of locations in the state still lacking high-speed internet access. In June we learned of New Hampshire's Broadband Contract Program, which offers broadband service providers a financial incentive to bring service to unserved and underserved addresses in the state—areas/addresses where it may be financially detrimental for providers to attempt to expand. At the time, New Hampshire hoped that the Broadband Contract Program could connect half of the state's unserved locations with $50 million (40%) of the state's Capital Projects Fund allotment. Recently Treasury approved New Hampshire’s second plan to invest in broadband infrastructure to provide high-speed internet to locations that lack access to adequate service. In total, New Hampshire is using $122 million—100% of its Capital Projects Fund funding—for broadband infrastructure to reach an estimated 24,000 locations, or 80% of locations still lacking high-speed internet access in the state. In total, New Hampshire's plans for Capital Projects Fund support will help connect more than 24,000 homes and businesses to affordable, high-speed internet.