New Hampshire FastRoads, LLC took the next step in bringing high-speed broadband to western New Hampshire

KEENE, NH – March 31, 2011 – New Hampshire FastRoads, LLC took the next step in bringing high-speed broadband to western New Hampshire, issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking an engineering firm to build the network.

The organization is soliciting bids from qualified firms to provide fiber optic engineering services for the construction of a “last-mile” fiber network in Rindge and Enfield, NH, and “middle-mile” network backbone that will deliver fiber network access to 20 towns and 220 community anchor institutions in the area. The winning firm will also be responsible for the engineering, bid management and inspection of the fiber optic plant facilities.

The announcement comes shortly after the awarding of a design and project management contract to Design Nine, Inc. last week, who will oversee the project.

New Hampshire FastRoads is a Limited Liability Company (LLC) of the Monadnock Economic Development Corporation. The organization was established to bring accessible and affordable broadband to the towns of the Monadnock and Upper Valley regions of New Hampshire. NH FastRoads is partnering with Network New Hampshire Now (NNHN), a collaboration of public and private organizations to develop a high-speed broadband network throughout the state. The organizations are funded by an economic stimulus grant and private funding to expand broadband coverage to keep the state vibrant, innovative and relevant for businesses, citizens and educational institutions.

“Selecting the best qualified engineering firm is critical to ensure that homes, businesses and institutions have the best broadband infrastructure to support jobs and sustainable economic development,” said New Hampshire FastRoads Executive Director Carole Monroe. “When complete, FastRoads will bring rich new broadband services to the region such as high speed internet, voice telephony, IP-based television, movies-on-demand, business class videoconferencing, healthcare home monitoring, home and business security, computer backup, public access television, Internet radio, and many other advanced services.”

About New Hampshire FastRoads
New Hampshire FastRoads, an LLC of the Monadnock Economic Development Corporation, is collaborating with the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority and 45 towns in Southwest New Hampshire. NH FastRoads, in partnership with Network New Hampshire Now, is building an open access middle mile and last mile network to bring broadband to large and small businesses, government offices and agencies, and residents.

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Contact:
Ed Marshall
Beaupre & Co.
(603) 559-5816
emarshall@beaupre.com