Live video of the event

Photos from the event

Fibertech to build approximately 36 miles of new network infrastructure to provide high-speed broadband in rural areas

Dover, DE – Building on Delaware’s recent recognition for providing the best high-speed broadband internet access in the country, Governor Markell today announced a $1 million grant for network services provider Fibertech Networks to improve connectivity in Sussex County, helping address some of the few remaining pockets where Delaware residents and businesses do not have high quality service.

The construction of approximately 36 miles of fiber optic network focused on rural areas is designed to build on last year’s completion of a fiber line running from Middletown to Georgetown through a project led by the Department of Technology and Information (DTI) and funded by the Delaware Economic Development Office. At that time, the Governor announced that new grant funding would be provided to private companies that offer the best plans to use the new fiber line to reach underserved Delawareans, with a focus on key sites like public schools and libraries, health care facilities, and places that provide government services.

“Online tools and resources exponentially increase the possibilities to advance education, careers, business growth, and public safety, which means better quality of life and a stronger economy,” said Markell. “But that also means there is a clear dividing line in today’s society between those who have access to high-speed broadband and those who don’t.

“In a 21^st century economy, we can only ensure all Delawareans have opportunities to reach their potential if everyone has access to these services, so despite our recent success in expanding access, we won’t be satisfied until that is the case. I congratulate Fibertech on this grant award and thank them for their work to further our state’s mission of universal broadband access.”

Fibertech, which already operates more than 300 miles of fiber optic network throughout Delaware’s three counties, will expand its network, building approximately 18 miles of new network to Seaford in the west and approximately 18 miles of new network to Lewes on the east. Both network segments will connect in Georgetown and therefore offer connectivity to Fibertech’s existing network infrastructure running through Kent and New Castle Counties with further connectivity to Philadelphia and New Jersey.

The Rochester, NY-based company will build on its efforts to offer network services to education, healthcare, government and financial institutions, along with and other large and medium-size businesses looking to meet demands for data and broadband connectivity. Fibertech extends its fiber optic network directly into business locations, allowing them to internally deploy a wide range of advanced telecommunications applications.

“The expansion of broadband in Sussex County will allow for an increase in access speeds in previously underserved areas,” said Delaware Chief Information Officer James Collins, who leads DTI. “This Delaware Broadband Fund grant is critical in creating opportunity and incentives for private vendors, Internet Service Providers, to do what they do best, bring direct services to schools, homes and farms, and to community and governmental centers.”

For those benefiting from the fiber line completed last year and the new construction, the state’s Sussex County broadband expansion efforts mean an increase in access speeds from 1.5 MB to potentially 10GB, with most users expected to opt for between 10MB and 100MB.

“The open-access network and investments we have made in Delaware have long helped bring more affordable broadband to businesses in New Castle and Kent counties,” said Mike Hurley, Sr. Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Fibertech. “We look forward to bringing these same capabilities to Sussex County and other areas. This project will facilitate building a transparent and agile infrastructure for State and local government that at the same time enhances modern commerce and increase regional competitiveness for businesses and underserved sectors.”

Funding for the grant comes from the Delaware Broadband Fund, established in 2013 by House Bill 96, which was sponsored by Representative Darryl Scott (D-Dover) and Senator Brian Bushweller (D-Dover). The legislation provides that the Fund will support and enhance rural broadband initiatives in under-served areas of the State, as well as broadband access at public schools and public libraries.

Markell and Collins announced the grant award at Burris Logistics Corporate Headquarters in Milford. As one of the nation’s largest and most sophisticated temperature-controlled food distribution companies, Burris leaders stressed the critical nature of their data communication network. Burris has leveraged the additional fiber installed a year ago to support company operations.

Burris develops custom storage and transportation programs that are uniquely designed to meet individual customer needs, offering over 60 million cubic feet of freezer warehousing space in 17 strategic locations across the country. Company officials made a presentation at the event to demonstrate the importance of high-speed broadband to their work.

###

Print