NEK Broadband

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NEK Broadband Offers Fiber-Based High-Speed Internet to Waterford Area Addresses

Makes Progress on Promise to Bring Internet Access to the Northeast Kingdom

NEK Broadband announced today that it has added new addresses in Waterford to its fiber network, delivering on its promise to bring high-speed internet to underserved communities in the Northeast Kingdom. The Waterford network has been funded by a combination of federal grants through the Vermont Community Broadband Board and the town’s contribution of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. 

High-speed internet via NEK Broadband is now available in some areas of Waterford that previously did not have access to cable internet service. 

“It’s so gratifying to see continued demonstrable progress in bringing internet service to the Kingdom as we reach our current total of over 1,000 addresses passed by our active fiber network,” said Christa Shute, Executive Director of NEK Broadband. “Waterford made an early and substantial ARPA commitment to expand service. Between now and the end of the year we will  be providing new service to addresses in ten additional towns, and of course expansion doesn’t stop there.”

The VCBB issued a press release on September 28th announcing an additional construction grant award to NEK Broadband of $17.94 million bringing the total construction grant funds from the VCBB to the district to $38.9 million.  The recent grant awards will expand the construction grant area from portions of 16 towns to portions of 35 towns.  

“NEK Broadband’s progress is one more step forward to providing digital equity for Vermonters so they can live, work, and learn using the high-speed connection that is necessary for their success,” said Christine Hallquist, Executive Director of the Vermont Community Broadband Board.

Michael Barrett, the NEK Broadband board member representing Waterford, added, “Waterford’s investment of ARPA dollars in this project is bearing fruit for our citizens. It’s so satisfying to finally see a vision for high-speed internet in Waterford become a reality.”

People in NEK Broadband’s service area who would like to keep track of when service will be available at their home can sign up for updates at https://get.nekbroadband.org/.

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About NEK Broadband

NEK Broadband is a Communications Union District (CUD) representing every town in Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans counties, plus Wolcott in Lamoille County. We are a community-driven organization building public infrastructure to help ensure that every address that has existing electric utility service will have access to high-speed broadband service. As a municipality, we are a non-profit, so revenue from customers will go towards building and repairing infrastructure and increasing affordability for our residents. 

Request for Proposal: RFP NEK 2023-06

Fiber Distribution Construction

Please contact us at  . for bid sheets, maps, etc. Maps are available to those who have returned a signed confidentiality agreement.

RFP: Fiber Distribution Construction

Deadlines:

Questions Due: 8/28/23

Intent to Respond is REQUIRED and is due by 8/28/23

Proposal Submission Deadline: 8/30/23

Express Your Support

In the next week, the state operated Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) is seeking public input to guide how they will allocate 150-250 million dollars for fiber-optic fast internet development in Vermont. 

By next Tues, June 20, VCBB needs to hear your story of how you have coped with your internet situation and that you want fiber internet developed by non-profit Communications Union Districts (CUDs) like NEK Broadband, not corporations. That way, the infrastructure will be publicly owned (you have a “say” because our Board is made up of town Reps) and any “profits” will go to expanding the network and making it more affordable, not to shareholders. NEK Broadband is also the only entity committed to getting broadband access to every household in the NEK and Wolcott – not just to profitable customers.  

Can we count on you to express your support for NEK Broadband – your CUD – by communicating to the VCBB?  Please write a quick email (to ), make a quick call (802-622-4496) or attend an in-person or virtual listening session that VCBB is sponsoring before June 20th! Questions?  Email us at

Here are some talking points:

  • Express support for the communications union district, stakeholders – not shareholders.
  • Share your story of your experience with internet in the NEK
  • Give any ideas you have of how to make internet more accessible to everyone, especially those from disadvantaged groups (because of ability, language barriers, etc)

Here are the options to give input into the process:

  • write an email (send to ), 
  • Answer an extensive survey of questions from VCBB
  • call VCBB (800-622-4496) or  802 261 5756
  • Virtual meeting is Thursday 6/15 at 6:30pm.  
  • Attend an in-person session in Newport or Burke:
    • The Newport event is on Monday June 19th from 6:30-7:30pm at the Goodrich Memorial Library (202 Main St./US 5, Newport, VT) $20 gas card and food
    • The Burke event is Thursday June 22nd from 6:30pm to 7:30pm at the Burke Community Building (212 School Street, West Burke, VT) $20 gas card and food

Request for Proposal: Contracted IT Support Services 

Contracted IT Support Services 

The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to solicit proposals from qualified vendors to provide contracted IT support services for NEK Broadband. The goal of this project is to establish a reliable and responsive IT support system for our remote workforce, ensuring seamless business operations and employee productivity.

RFP: IT Support Services

VERMONT COMMUNITY BROADBAND BOARD GRANTEES TO TESTIFY BEFORE U.S. SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

 

May 16, 2023

 

VERMONT COMMUNITY BROADBAND BOARD GRANTEES TO TESTIFY BEFORE U.S. SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE

Montpelier, Vermont – NEK Broadband Executive Director Christa Shute and Waitsfield & Champlain Valley Telecom (WCVT) Vice President of Industry Relations Roger Nishi will testify on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at 3:00 before the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy. The hearing is entitled, “Rural Broadband: Connecting our Communities to the Digital Economy.”

The United States Department of Agriculture has a series of important broadband programs  geared to the most rural areas of America where it is most costly to invest in broadband infrastructure. Truely high-speed internet is fundamental for effective participation in our nation’s economy, healthcare, education, personal job success, as well as access to federal and state services, the political process, and community engagement.

“NEK Broadband has successfully applied for and managed grants through USDA.  We are pleased to have this opportunity to share with members of the U.S. Senate both the ongoing importance of these programs and constructive suggestions from first-hand experience on how they can be improved for future rounds of funding.”  

“This is a testament to what we already know in Vermont. The people running our Communications Union Districts (CUDs) and their partners are nationally recognized experts and leaders in the industry. We’re lucky to have them working for us every day in Vermont,” said VCBB Executive Director Christine Hallquist.

VCBB has made grants of $8.3 million to WCVT and $20.9 to NEK Broadband. You can watch the testimony live at 3:00 Wednesday at Rural Broadband: Connecting our Communities | Senate Committee On Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry.

Contact: 

Herryn Herzog,

VCBB Communications & Outreach Coordinator

phone: (802) 522-3396 

email:

Vermont Department of Public Service 

112 State Street 

Montpelier, VT 05601-2601 

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Request for Proposal: RFP NEK2023-01

Underground Services for Customer Drop Extensions

The purpose of this RFP is to compile a list of approved contractors that NEK Broadband can provide to customers who require underground work performed in order to complete their broadband installation. Approved vendors will be working directly with the customer for scheduling and billing. 

RFP: Underground Services

Deadlines:

  • Questions are due by 2/15/23
  • Intent to Respond is due by 2/15/23
  • Proposal Submission Deadline: Rolling to 3/1/23