Equipment and Underground Construction Materials Arrive On-Island; Aerial Construction Awaits Completion of Engineering and Make-Ready Work; BroadbandBI Website Launched

Plainfield, CT – February 5, 2021… Despite rough seas, winter winds, and limited ferry availability, Sertex Broadband Solutions - the leading regional expert in fiber optic infrastructure deployment - has mobilized equipment and transported thousands of feet of micro duct conduit onto Block Island in preparation for construction of the new island-wide broadband network.

The Town of New Shoreham (TNS) island-wide broadband network is in the early-stage make-ready and late-stage engineering phases. Following preliminary design work completed in December and January, underground drop construction to residences and businesses is expected to begin soon.

Sertex engineering professionals are mapping out the route the fiber will travel across the island. The make-ready stage requires local utility and telecommunications providers to reposition equipment pole-by-pole to make room for the fiber strand.

Underground drops to individual properties will be planned in geographical waves. Coordination is required with property owners before any construction can begin in order to secure permissions for access and authorization of the drop route. A new website, www.broadbandbi.com, launched by TNS and Sertex allows property owners to register and initiate the process with the installation team.

“Sertex is proud to partner with New Shoreham to bring reliable high-speed Internet service to Block Island residents, businesses, and visitors,” said Michael Solitro, Sertex President and CEO. “We anticipate building 62 miles of underground drop footage to connect the island. Coordination with Block Island property owners is essential to begin construction. By encouraging people to register early, our goal is to make as much progress as possible during the winter and early spring before the busy summer season begins.”

The Town of New Shoreham and Sertex have partnered to deploy the first publicly-owned fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network in Rhode Island. It will use four strands of the submarine fiber optic cable that connects Block Island to the mainland. With an $8 million capital expenditure authorized by the Town, the network will provide residents and businesses with access and choice for high-speed Internet and phone service with multiple plans from 25 Mbps to 1 Gbps with no data usage limits or caps.

Broadbandbi.com is a resource for property owners to get facts and updates about the project, register, download information about fiber drops, find answers to frequently asked questions and ultimately subscribe for service. Additional information will be added in the coming weeks, including details about signing up for broadband Internet and phone service, network construction updates, and streaming resources. Learn more at www.broadbandbi.com.

For more information, call Sertex Broadband at 860.317.1006 x 115 or email getconnectedbi@sertexbroadband.com.

About Sertex Broadband

Sertex is an expert in fiber optic infrastructure deployment in the Northeast. For over three decades, we have provided leading-edge services to telecommunication, utility, and municipal customers. The vision of Sertex Broadband Solutions is to deploy fiber-to-the-home networks in unserved and underserved areas and deliver gigabit-speed internet access to every home and business. Our model of publicly owned/privately operated networks is affordable and scalable with future-proof fiber technology. For more information visit www.sertexbroadband.com.