Why is NHEC working to provide members with broadband Internet service?

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought into focus the critical need for high speed Internet service throughout New Hampshire. For far too long rural communities have been disadvantaged due to the lack of high speed Internet. As virtual business activity, remote learning, and telemedicine have become the norm, the limited, often unreliable, services available in these communities today do not meet the needs of NHEC members.

Electric cooperatives, like NHEC, played an essential role in bringing electricity to rural areas in the late 1930s. The same need exists now with high speed Internet access. Today, NHEC provides electric distribution service to 85,000 members, located in 115 towns across New Hampshire. Our service territory extends as far south as Derry, and as far north as Pittsburg. Just as it brought electricity to rural New Hampshire over 80 years ago, NHEC is uniquely positioned to help bring high speed Internet to these same areas today. Over 100 electric cooperatives across the country now offer broadband services to their members. NHEC is committed to ensuring our members have access to this essential service.

What is NHEC doing to expand broadband access to its members?

NHEC is actively working with strategic partners to identify local, state, and federal funding opportunities and evaluate different pathways to provide service. In December 2020, NHEC connected its first 900 members to broadband Internet in parts of Lempster, Colebrook, Clarksville and Stewartstown. This initial project was funded primarily by a grant from the Connecting New Hampshire Emergency Broadband Expansion Program.  These projects are the first steps towards a larger goal of ensuring all NHEC members have access to high speed Internet.

Will these efforts to expand broadband increase the price I pay for electricity?

The financial well-being of the cooperative and the affordability of our electric service remains our top priority. NHEC’s Board of Directors is evaluating different approaches to provide broadband service to all members to maximize the benefits and minimize potential costs. Members who take broadband service will pay for it, and over time offering broadband has the potential to reduce the cost of electricity service by creating new sources of non-electric revenues and potential cost savings. 

How much does broadband service cost?

Current pricing for members served in NHEC’s pilot project area:

$89.95 (1 Gbps upload/download)

$49.95 (25 mbps upload/download)

Prices are subject to change going forward.

How long will it take before every NHEC member has access to broadband?

It could take several years to achieve our goal, but we are aware of our members’ immediate needs and will be working as quickly as possible to build out our fiber network. 

Will these efforts impact my electric service?

No. NHEC members will continue to receive the same high level of electricity service. In fact, having high speed Internet available throughout NHEC’s service territory has the potential to help us respond to outages faster and more widely provide additional electricity services, like demand response programs. 

When can I sign up for broadband service?

NHEC, or its partnering organizations, will reach out directly to members in areas when service becomes available. To express your interest in receiving service, please fill out the form here. We will also continue to post updates on this website.

Why can’t another company provide broadband services?

Unlike for-profit telecommunications companies, NHEC is a member-owned, non-profit cooperative. We are governed by the democratic process and we are singularly focused on meeting our members’ needs. We believe that the cooperative model allows us to provide services to our members when others will not, because we are not limited by the requirement to generate profits for investors. This makes NHEC well suited to bring high speed Internet service to unserved areas of rural New Hampshire.

What type of Internet service is NHEC considering offering to its members?

Specific service offerings will be developed, but for its pilot projects, NHEC constructed an all fiber optic network, that offers speeds up to 1 Gigabit symmetrical upload and download. NHEC’s goal is to build a network capable of meeting our members’ needs into the future.

I have a question not answered above, who can I contact?

Email us at broadband@nhec.com.

(866) 431-1928   Customer Service (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, EST)  or broadband-info@nhec.com

(866) 431-7617  Technical Support ( 24 hours) or broadband-technicalsupport@nhec.com