Bristol's efforts to bring high-speed internet to the region earns Best of Business Award

BRISTOL — Bristol’s work to expand broadband internet access throughout the community and beyond has been recognized by New Hampshire Business Review as an Editor’s Pick for the publication’s 2022 Best Of Business Awards.

Bristol’s recognition in the category, “Most inspirational actions to expand broadband in rural NH,” comes less than a year after the town launched local broadband service. In September 2021, the town officially “flipped the switch” on the Bristol Broadband Now network, a collaborative project years in the making, headed by the Bristol Economic Development Committee and Town Administrator Nicholas Coates. It came to fruition via a public-private partnership with eX² Technology, which built the physical infrastructure for the fiber optic internet; Hub66, which is providing internet service to businesses and residents; and the University of New Hampshire, which is providing internet services to municipal buildings and for university level Research and Development.

“The lack of adequate internet service in New Hampshire’s rural areas is something many towns like Bristol have to wrestle with,” said Coates. “Our schools and businesses need the service today, and it is holding back communities from economic development planning for the future. I am honored the Business Review chose to recognize our efforts and highlight the urgent need for modern infrastructure in our small towns. 

Siince the Bristol Broadband Now launch, the group has expanded its efforts to include more communities in Grafton County, seeking federal funding to build and upgrade the infrastructure to deliver fiber internet to more underserved communities. Phase 1 and 2 of the project provided 28 miles of coverage, which brought internet access to homes, schools, businesses and municipal buildings. Future rollouts are scheduled for this year and in 2023.

New Hampshire Business Review commended Bristol’s effort, noting that the town “successfully implemented a municipal-owned build-out of fiber” to help Bristol and other rural New Hampshire communities gain access to high-speed broadband internet.

To read more about Bristol’s efforts to expand broadband access, visit the BristolNHBusiness.com website and read, “Bristol Officially Launches Its High-Speed Internet Service.”