Comptroller Kevin Lembo Archive > News
COMPTROLLER LEMBO CALLS ON ALL INCUMBENT PROVIDERS TO JOIN ATLANTIC BROADBAND’S INFRASTRUCTURE INITIATIVE STATEWIDEState Comptroller Kevin Lembo, in letters today to Connecticut’s broadband providers, called on them to rise to the challenge and lead the way on investments to bring affordable high-speed Internet to their entire service areas.
"Connecticut businesses and residents have spoken loudly,” Lembo said. "They are demanding improved telecommunications services capable of meeting their immediate and future technological needs. Small businesses under the crush of rising costs are demanding more competitive pricing, while households currently priced out of the service they need are demanding the same opportunities extended to those in neighboring communities.”
Atlantic Broadband announced this month a plan to invest $20 million to bring affordable high-speed Internet to eastern Connecticut. The promised investment, once implemented, marks a significant move towards the CT Gig Project’s mission to deploy ultra-high-speed broadband to every house and business in the state.
Over the past 18 months, Lembo has been traveling the state with members of the CT Gig Project, a coalition of state and municipal officials, small and large businesses and residents in a collaborative movement to make Connecticut the first state to achieve fully interconnected ultra-high-speed broadband service.
Lembo said that he hopes Atlantic Broadband’s announced investment will inspire similar investments by Connecticut’s other incumbent providers. He said that Connecticut’s existing providers are valued business leaders and employers in the market that should share in the benefits of economic growth resulting from infrastructure investment.
"I write you today to respectfully ask that you rise to the challenge, and commit to similar investments throughout your service area in Connecticut,” Lembo said in letters to Cablevision, Charter Communications, Comcast, Cox Communications, Frontier Communications and Thames Valley Communications. "The market demand is now undeniable. I hope that you will be front and center as we work united across sectors to make Connecticut the first gigabit state in the country.
"Despite differences in markets, income levels and geography, every person I have spoken to has indicated a desire – and a need – for telecommunications improvements.”
In his letter to Frontier, Lembo acknowledged their ongoing infrastructure improvements and urged the continuation of their efforts in concert with the CT Gig Project. Lembo said that he looks forward to hearing about existing plans, and related timelines, that each company may already have in place.
"The benefits are clear. Enhanced speeds will allow our high-technology businesses to compete on a global scale. Municipalities will reap economic development and employment boosts as their communities grow into desirable technological centers. Small business owners and entrepreneurs who work from home will be able to access the speeds required to efficiently do business remotely.
"Large employers will have the fertile ground necessary to establish roots. Consumers will have more equitable access to high-speed broadband at fair and competitive prices. High-speed broadband has become an economic necessity – one that provides employment and business opportunities – and must extend to every business, large and small, and every household, rich or poor.”
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