In the far reaches of Washington County, Grand Lake Hunt Preserve has grown from a five-customer operation to a business booked solid more than a year in advance, largely because it can finally stay consistently connected to the outside world.

The move toward fiber-first infrastructure is already underway and accelerating. Still, some assume that because legacy networks continue to function, there is no urgency to move away from them. From an operator’s perspective, that assumption is getting harder to defend.

When planning home renovations, most homeowners focus on kitchens, bathrooms, decks, and curb appeal. But there's one critical infrastructure upgrade that's quietly becoming as important as a new roof or updated electrical system: high-speed fiber internet.

Broadband Communities has officially revealed the finalists for the 2026 Broadband Communities Awards, and Fidium was selected as a finalist for Broadband Project of the Year and the Rural Connectivity Award. 

Fidium, a next-generation fiber internet and network services company, is featured in America 250, a USA TODAY docuseries marking the nation’s 250th anniversary by showcasing innovators shaping its next chapter.

The Coos Economic Development Corporation awards ceremony on June 18 recognized local business leaders and celebrated a public-private partnership between Fidium and the State of New Hampshire to connect 20,000 homes and businesses to all-fiber connectivity.