NEK Broadband
The Internet You Need ~ Built by Your Community
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:
Here are the options to give input into the process:
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.
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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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.
This RFP shall be for a project or series of broadband network projects on behalf of NEK Broadband. Chosen provider will be supplying NEK Broadband with permitting services needed over the next 12 – 24 months with potential renewals.
Questions are due by 2/15/23
Intent to Respond is REQUIRED for this RFP, and is due by 2/15/23
Proposal Submission Deadline: Rolling to 3/1/23