Vermont FiberConnect Connects Green Mountain College

Sovernet Fiber Corp and the Vermont Telecommunications Authority (VTA) announced today that the Vermont FiberConnect (VFC) project continues to improve broadband in Vermont’ s rural areas with its most recent completion of fiber service to Green Mountain College in Poultney. The new infrastructure will double the previous capacity that the college was able to obtain through the incumbent carriers in the area, allowing the small but prestigious school the opportunity to compete at the same level with much larger colleges and universities in New England’ s metro areas.
‘ With increased participation in our online education programs and the continual need for more bandwidth for the educational needs of students, faculty and staff on campus, this upgrade is of vital importance to the success of Green Mountain College,’ said GMC President Paul Fonteyn. ‘ In conjunction with our IT department and other partners, Sovernet’ s Vermont FiberConnect Program is helping us keep our competitive edge in information technology.’
Sovernet, in collaboration with the VTA and National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) under its Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) has spent the last two years designing and building a new fiber infrastructure to meet critical bandwidth needs of many of the schools, libraries, businesses and organizations in Vermont. Sovernet’ s President, Rich Kendall added, ‘ We are excited to partner with Green Mountain College and assist in the improvement of their communications infrastructure. With over two years worth of planning, permitting and engineering, it is rewarding to see the cable being installed on the poles so quickly now. We look forward to completing many more connections to anchor customers, like Green Mountain College, over the next several months’ .
Christopher Campbell, Executive Director of the VTA commented, ‘ Schools and businesses in rural Vermont need access to technology just as much as urban areas do. Vermont is building the infrastructure it needs and this project is an example of how it’ s coming to fruition. Sovernet’ s fiber connection to Green Mountain College is the first of many yet to come.’
About Vermont FiberConnect: Vermont FiberConnect is an 812 mile fiber optic network under development by Sovernet Fiber Corp, an affiliate of Vermont-based Sovernet Communications.
The network will connect over 340 community anchor institutions such as K-12 schools, colleges, public libraries, healthcare providers, government offices and public safety communications in southern, central, and northeastern Vermont, encompassing seven of Vermont’ s fourteen counties. Vermont FiberConnect is also designed to provide wholesale data transport services to broadband and telecommunications service providers such as Internet service providers, telecom companies and cellular companies. The network will interconnect with several new adjoining regional ‘ middle-mile’ fiber networks, including Network New Hampshire Now, MassBroadband 123 and the ION network in upstate New York.
The project has been funded by a combination of public and private capital, including a $33.4 million grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’ s (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), a $ 2 million grant from the State of Vermont via Vermont Telecommunication Authority, a $400,000 grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and over $12 million of private capital committed by Sovernet. The VTA is the recipient of and conduit for the federal, state and foundation grants. Sovernet Fiber Corp. will build, own, operate and provide services over the Vermont FiberConnect network.
NTIA funding of the project, through its BTOP ‘ Comprehensive Community Infrastructure’ program, is intended to help ensure sustainable community growth, and to provide the foundation for enhanced household and business broadband Internet services by deploying new or improved broadband Internet facilities and connecting ‘ community anchor institutions.’ For further information, please visit; www.vermontfiberconnect.com.
About Green Mountain College: Green Mountain College was founded in 1834 by the Troy Conference of the United Methodist Church. Throughout its history, strong teacher-student relationships have been the hallmark of a GMC education, a tradition that continues today. At the heart of the College’ s environmental mission is the 37-credit Environmental Liberal Arts General Education Program, which all GMC students complete. ELA combines the skills and content of a strong liberal arts course of study with a focus on the environment.
About Vermont Telecommunications Authority: The Vermont Telecommunications Authority was established by the Vermont General Assembly in Act 79, and passed into law in June 2007. Act 79 established the organization to facilitate the expansion of broadband internet access and mobile cell service for residents and businesses. The authority is focused on a continuing goal of finding solutions for unserved and underserved areas throughout the state.
About Sovernet Communications: Sovernet Communications provides reliable Internet and telecommunications services to residential and business customers throughout Northern New England. The Vermont company is headquartered in Bellows Falls, with facilities in Burlington, Winooski and Keene, NH. Sovernet is committed to delivering advanced communications services along with superior customer care and total customer satisfaction, while actively supporting its local communities. For more information, please visit www.sovernet.com.
BELLOWS FALLS, VT ‘ February 11, 2013 Sovernet