Go Faster, Stay Local with NH Broadband

What to Expect While We’re Connecting: High-Speed Fiber Internet is on its Way!

What to Expect While We’re Connecting: High-Speed Fiber Internet is on its Way!

In today’s digital age, having a reliable and fast internet connection is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Work, education, entertainment and day-to-day communication are all clamoring for the need for high-speed internet more than ever before. Fiber-optic internet is the gold-standard of broadband – actually it is the future of the internet here, today.  NH Broadband has committed to hanging this advanced technology fiber optic that will be able to manage our online needs for decades to come.  This is no easy task. Bringing fiber to the more rural areas of New Hampshire requires extensive planning, permitting, and construction of the network before we can bring it to your home. As your neighborhood prepares to Go Faster and Stay Local with NH Broadband, here’s what you can expect during this exciting transition. 

The Benefits of Fiber Internet 

First, let’s understand why fiber internet is such a big deal (Trust us, it’s a big deal): 

  1. Unmatched Speed: Fiber optic internet can provide speeds up to 2 Gbps (Gigabytes per second), which can be significantly faster than traditional DSL or cable connections. This means smoother video calls, faster downloads and a better online gaming experience. Fiber is faster than cable because it provides symmetrical upload/download speeds, which make everything you love about your online experience even better.  
  2. Reliability: Fiber internet is less susceptible to weather conditions and electromagnetic interference than cable, ensuring a more stable connection. 
  3. The Future, Now: Fiber networks are built have the capacity to handle future technological advancements; we’re talking about 22nd century technology. 

The Installation Process 

Here’s a step-by-step overview of what happens during the installation of fiber internet in your neighborhood: 

  1. Survey and Planning: 
    • Technicians will conduct a thorough survey of the area to plan the best routes for laying the fiber cables. 
    • This phase involves mapping out where the main fiber lines will be and how they will connect to individual homes and buildings. 
    • We also identify any aging infrastructure such as poles that need updating to support the demands of the new technology. 
  2. Permitting and Approvals: 
    • Necessary permits and approvals from local authorities will be obtained before any physical work begins. 
    • This step ensures that all installations comply with local regulations and standards. 
  3. “Laying” the Fiber Cables: 
    • Workers will start installing the main fiber optic cables along the planned routes. In your neighborhood, this will involve aerial installation using utility poles.  
    • The cables will be securely hung from the poles. You will start to see small black rectangular and cylinder-shaped terminals attached to the poles.  You may see extra fiber left wrapped neatly around that housing – that is so splicing can be done easily from the ground and in case a pole must move in the future, we will have room to grow with less time invested in splicing.  Splicing fiber is very time intensive. 
    • Like an electric transfer station, fiber needs a physical plant for the fiber to then be split and relay the light signals to your home.  A “hut” is a small building, and a “cabinet” is a smaller version of a hut.  Both structures organize fiber cables for distribution points and allow technicians access for diagnostics and repairs.  
  4. Connecting to Homes and Buildings: 
    • Once the main lines are in place, the next step is to connect individual homes and buildings. 
    • The first step after you signup is a “fiber drop” which involves attaching a small box called a Network Interface Unit (NIU) on an outside wall of your home near your other utilities.  You don’t need to be at home when we do this.  At this point, your home is fiber-ready! 
    • The final step is running the fiber line from your NIU to the interior of your home. We do require a resident is home when we do this final step. Often you can choose where you would like the wire to enter the home and where the modem will live in your house.  Be advised this step will likely require drilling a small hole to bring the cable inside. 
  5. Installing Equipment: 
    • After the fiber line is connected to your home, technicians will install the necessary equipment, such as a fiber modem and router.  The modem is included in all our packages.
    • You will either need to provide your own wireless router or purchase our managed Wi-Fi subscription.  Managed Wi-Fi comes with a GigaSpire gateway which is a wireless router that is optimal for the NH Broadband system.  The GigaSpire comes with a smartphone application for simple management of all your networks and connected devices.  For instance, on managed Wi-Fi you can create a separate network for your kids and apply parental controls, blocking certain sites and setting time limits.  Additionally, with Managed Wi-Fi if anything goes wrong with your wireless router or your system is not performing as desired, we will troubleshoot and repair anything broken. 
    • Our technicians will ensure that everything is properly configured and test the connection to verify everything is working correctly. 

What You Need to Do 

To ensure a smooth installation process, here are a few things you can do: 

  1. Check Availability: 
    • The best way to find out when service will be available to your home is to “Check Availability” at NHBroadband.com or call (866) 431-1928.  
    • If service is available, you can sign up and we’ll call to schedule your installation. 
    • If we are not quite to your area yet, you can join the waitlist.  Joining the waitlist is free and in no way commits you to retaining our services when we connect your area. 
  2. Stay Informed: 
    • Keep an eye out for notifications from NH Broadband regarding the installation schedule. 
  3. Clear Access: 
    • Make sure that technicians have easy access to the areas where they need to work, both outside and inside your home. 
    • Clear any obstructions near the installation site, such as furniture or landscaping. 
  4. Be Present: 
    • It is necessary to be present during the in-home installation to answer any questions the technicians might have and to ensure that the work is done to your satisfaction. 

The Excitement of Upgrading 

The transition to high-speed fiber internet is an exciting upgrade that will bring numerous benefits to your daily life. From faster streaming and downloads to more reliable connections for remote work and online learning, fiber internet will enhance your overall online experience. 


As your neighborhood embraces this new technology, you can look forward to staying connected in ways you never thought possible. Welcome to the future of internet connectivity!  


Go Faster. Stay Local. Go NH Broadband.