14 towns to be named Gig Towns, as the CUD will reach universal service by fall 2023.
PERU, Vt. — Aug. 2, 2023 — Residents and businesses in the Southern Vermont Communications Union District (SoVT CUD) are invited to celebrate being named a “Gig Community” during a ribbon cutting event on Aug. 8.
Through a partnership with Fidium, SoVT CUD will reach universal service coverage just 18 months after forming. Construction of the all-fiber network is near completion and will make multi-gigabit service available to every home and business in its 14-town service area: Arlington, Bennington, Dorset, Landgrove, Londonderry, Manchester, Peru, Pownal, Rupert, Sandgate, Shaftsbury, Sunderland, Winhall and Woodford.
“Our 14 small, rural Vermont communities are very excited to reach universal fiber coverage in 2023 with our strong partnership with Consolidated,” said Eric Hatch, chair of SoVT CUD. “Together we have been able to provide hundreds, and soon thousands, of homes that did not have modern internet services with world-class internet that allows small-town Vermont to compete on equal footing with any modern city around the globe. Fidium has already proven its speed, reliability and affordability in our communities, and we all look forward to continuing our partnership with Consolidated for many years to come.”
Event: SoVT CUD Gig Community Reveal and Ribbon Cutting
Date: Tuesday Aug. 8, 2023
Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Bromley Mountain Resort, 3984 Vermont Route 11, Peru, VT 05152
The brief celebration will include remarks by Senator Peter Welch (D-VT), SoVT CUD board chair Eric Hatch, as well as other local dignitaries and representatives from Fidium Fiber. Photo opportunities will be available throughout the event, with interviews available immediately following the event. Fidium Fiber representatives will be on hand to provide information and sign up interested residents and small businesses.
Fiber construction is slated to complete by November 1, 2023 making SoVT CUD the first to reach universal service coverage in the state. Research shows that better internet increases home values, drives business innovations, allows growing businesses to stay in the community, and expands employment opportunities for the growing remote workforce.
Fidium Fiber for the home delivers reliable symmetrical, fiber internet without contracts, data caps, installation fees, or hassles. Fidium offers plans from 50 Mbps to 2 Gigs (2000 Mbps) starting at $35 per month, as well as VoIP phone service and a variety of streaming options for TV and entertainment.
Fidium@Work delivers the same reliability, symmetrical speeds and ease of use our residential customers love, with the addition of more robust features entrepreneurs need to keep their business connected. Interested business owners can learn more at FidiumFiber.com/business-fiber-internet.
Follow Fidium at Facebook.com/FidiumFiber, Twitter.com/FidiumFiber, Instagram.com/FidiumFiber and YouTube.com/FidiumFiber. Discounts are available to qualified customers through the Affordable Connectivity Plan and Lifeline.
About Southern Vermont Communication Union District
Southern Vermont Communication Union District (SoVT CUD) is a municipality formed according to Vermont statute 30 VSA chapter 82. We are run by volunteers in our local communities. Our purpose is to bring high-speed Internet service (broadband) to under-served areas of southern Vermont. If you are interested in helping, have questions about eligibility or would like to learn more, visit https://sovtcud.net.
About Fidium Fiber
Fidium Fiber is a customer-centered, consumer fiber broadband service offering symmetrical multi-gig speeds and exceptional service. Fidium is available in California, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Texas and Vermont with new locations available daily. Fidium is a brand from Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSL). Consolidated is a leading broadband and business communications provider serving consumers, businesses, and wireless and wireline carriers across a 20-plus state service area. Learn more at FidiumFiber.com.
# # #