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Originally Posted by The Real BigGuy
Is there any update on when the NHEC will get to installing Broadband on the islands? Last year I heard rumors that 2026 would be the year. Checking the Co-Op & installer websites provides 0 information.
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I was excited in early 2021 when NHEC announced that their goal was to bring high-speed fiber-based internet to
all NHEC members. I sent an email to the internet folks at NHEC asking specifically if "all" included the NHEC members who were serviced on Lake Winnipesaukee islands. Here, in part, is the answer I received:
Thank you for contacting us about NHECs broadband plans. We are working hard to reach all of our members who need high speed Internet
including our island members!
We are in the early phases of building out fiber networks to reach unserved members. We do not have a detailed construction plan at this time, however we expect to have news soon about our plans for 2021 and beyond. Weve heard from many members who are in situations similar to our island members located in remote, hard-to-reach places. We are committed to serving all of our unserved members and expect to be connecting the Winnipesaukee islands as part of our buildout. For now, we have to ask for your patience, as it may still be several years until we reach you.
Now, more than five years later, I have found that getting any kind of commitment from, never mind a response from, someone from NH Broadband who is in a position to know (or, for that matter, even in New Hampshire) is just a big exercise in frustration.
Despite the claims on NH Broadband's website that it is a "local company" whose employees "live and work in the communities [they] serve," good luck trying to communicate with a customer service rep who is in New Hampshire or will actually put you in touch with a NH Broadband rep who is in New Hampshire, despite any promises that might be made. All customer service functions have been contracted out to Conexon Connect; if you call you will be speaking with a rep in North Carolina, or Georgia, or maybe Arkansas. Same thing if you reach out using email. My multiple requests to have a conversation on the phone or through email with a NH Broadband person in New Hampshire, who can provide real answers to basic questions about getting NH Broadband service to NHEC members on Winnipesaukee islands is like banging my head against a wall.
NH Broadband is not singing the same tune they were in early 2021 regarding service on Winnipesaukee islands. As far as I'm concerned, it's a broken promise.