FAQs

The New Hampshire Electric Co-op’s purpose is to serve our members. It was our members who spearheaded and approved the creation of NH Broadband, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NHEC, to deliver fiber-optic internet to the membership. Construction on the lines began in 2020 and we have since installed over 1,500 miles of fiber in all or parts of more than 20 communities. Currently, high-speed service is available to 15,000 of our members.

If you're a member of New Hampshire Electric Co-op and are interested in getting connected to high-speed broadband, there are just a few simple steps you can take to get started:

1. Visit NHBroadband.com and click on “check availability.”

2. Complete the form presented after checking availability to get on the waitlist.

a. If service is available in your area, we will call to schedule your installation date.

b. If service is not yet available, we will call when it goes live in your area. Joining the waitlist is free and in no way commits you to retaining our services.

3. When completing this form you will be asked to choose your speed. If you are not sure what speed to choose, don’t worry, you can change this at any time. If you still feel unsure, just give us a call and we can advise you based on your specific needs.

4. Can’t check “accept terms and conditions”? If it is not letting you check the box, it is likely because you need to scroll through the terms and conditions to move forward.

5. Click on “verify your information” and you are good to go. No credit card or payment of any kind is required.

If you're currently relying on a national internet service provider (ISP) in New Hampshire, you may be wondering how NH broadband can offer something different or better. Here is a closer look at how NH broadband may differ from your current provider:

Speed and reliability: One of the key differences is the focus on delivering faster and more reliable broadband connections. NH Broadband is deploying a 100% fiber-optic network. Remember fiber is the gold-standard of broadband.

Accessibility: NH broadband initiatives are specifically targeted at reaching underserved and unserved areas, ensuring that all residents have access to high-speed internet, regardless of location. This means that even if your current provider doesn't offer reliable service in your area, NH broadband may be able to fill that gap. Choosing NH Broadband also means you are helping bring the desperately needed, reliable internet to those under- and unserved areas.

Affordability: NH Broadband is committed to making high-speed internet affordable and free of hidden fees or sudden price increases. With NH Broadband, we are not driven to serve shareholders, we are accountable to the mission of the New Hampshire Electric Co-op which is to deliver affordable and reliable electric and broadband services to its members. No other internet service provider in New Hampshire has you at the forefront of their priorities.

Reliability: Reliability is at the core of our service. Our robust network, backed by local technicians and responsive customer support, ensures you can trust your connection. The best internet experience is one that works seamlessly without causing any concern yet remains readily available whenever you need it.

Local: We are a local company, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of New Hampshire Electric Co-op. That means our employees live and work in the communities we serve. Many of us are co-op members and NH Broadband customers ourselves.

So, while it may seem your current internet service provider may be meeting your needs, NH Broadband is poised to take things a step further, providing a faster, more reliable, and only local option for New Hampshire Electric Co-op’s members. 

NH Broadband is building an all-fiber-optic network capable of meeting the long-term needs of both our residential and commercial members. Fiber-optic internet provides the fastest, most reliable internet experience possible. This is because fiber-optic networks transmit data using light waves through cables made of glass fibers instead of electrical signals on copper wires or coaxial cables. Fiber is incredibly fast and allows customers to send (upload) and receive (download) data at the same high speeds, which is important for those who enjoy streaming, gaming, work from home, virtual learning, telehealth or managing a large or small business.

Fiber-optic provides the fastest, most reliable internet experience possible. That is because fiber-optic networks transmit data using light waves through cables made of glass fibers instead of using electrical signals on copper wires or coaxial cables. Fiber-optic lines have a far greater capacity for carrying and transmitting data at speeds that are much faster than cable and is immune to interference from electromagnetic noise and weather that can disrupt service provided over copper lines, satellite or cellular networks.

Further, fiber-optic cables have a high capacity for transmitting greater amounts of data at ever faster speeds as technology continues to evolve, meaning it will more than meet the needs of our members for years to come.

All of this translates to a much better experience for our members. It allows them to stream or game without freezing or buffering, transmit large files seamlessly and securely and use multiple devices without compromising speeds or reliability.

No, the package price advertised is the complete price. There are optional add-ons such as phone, managed Wi-Fi or our Safe & Secure package but they are all optional. There are no contracts, no gimmicks and no hidden fees or surprise price increases.

Yes, you can use your own Wi-Fi router or rent one of ours through a service called “Managed Wi-Fi” to create wireless fiber internet service in your home or business.

No, we are not a cable provider. We are an authorized reseller for DirecTV Stream which operates directly through your fiber internet, without a satellite dish. You can also explore other subscription services that provide a cable-like experience from ROKU, Amazon Fire, AppleTV, HULU Live, YouTube Live, and more.

Our package descriptions should give you an idea of how many devices can be handled in each package. You can easily upgrade or downgrade a package at any time if you find it insufficient. Please contact customer support at info@nhbroadband.com or (866) 431-1928 if you need any assistance.

The installer will go over everything with you before they leave your home. They will assist with setting up your Wi-Fi account name and password and make sure everything is running smoothly.

We have constructed 1,500 miles of fiber-optic lines across all or parts of more than 20 communities. Our progress continues as we build the infrastructure through NHEC’s service territory. Click on "check availability" to see if service is available where you live. You can also follow us on Facebook for updates.

From the time the service area opens it is about a 10-day lead time for installation.

NH Broadband offers several options to meet the unique needs of its diverse residential and commercial customers. There are no contracts, no gimmicks and no hidden fees or surprise price increases. 

Homeowners in our service area can choose from several packages:

  • 2 Gigabit (GB) – Ideal for movie streaming, connecting smart appliances, live video sharing and optimum performance for more than 15 smart devices. $99.95 / month.
  • 1 Gigabit (GB) – Allows for video streaming, live video calls, online gaming and optimum performance for five to 15 smart devices. $79.95 / month.
  • 100 Megabits per second (Mbps) – This basic package supports uninterrupted web browsing, email and can support up to five smart devices. $49.95 / month.

Businesses can benefit from NH Broadband’s services:

  • 2 Gigabit (GB) – This option designed for larger businesses supports seamless video conferencing, high-speed operations, online backup and ensures performance of more than 35 smart devices. $299.95 / month.
  • 1 Gigabit (GB) – With medium-sized offices in mind this option allows for large file uploading and downloading, video conferencing and supports up to 35 smart devices. $199.95 / month
  • 100 Megabits per second (Mbps) – Perfect for small businesses, this option supports cloud storage, video conferencing, cloud sharing and ensures the performance of up to 15 smart devices. $79.95 / month.

NH Broadband has partnered with Conexon, a company specializing in electric cooperative fiber-to-the home projects like ours. Conexon is working with NH Broadband to design and build the fiber-optic network that will serve our Co-op members and give those living in underserved or unserved areas a fast, reliable internet option

If your electric service is underground the broadband fiber will typically follow the same path. Therefore, if your electric service is underground generally your fiber will be the same.

We run mainline service on our poles for the entire service area, but home or business installations are only performed after someone signs up for service. Customers will receive an email and a phone call prior to anyone coming to their home or business to do work.

Over the last year, our network has been up 99.94 % of the time.

This is a separate bill from your electric. Regulations prevent us from combining the two services on one bill. You can however set up auto pay if you would like or pay online and e-billing.

Fiber construction takes a significant amount of time.  The best way to see when service will be available in your neighborhood is to “check availability or visit our Service Availability map.  

There will be a box mounted on the outside of your house and wire is run inside to connect to a small optical network terminal which will plug into the wireless router.

Construction of broadband lines is following our electric lines to enable us to serve our NHEC customers first.  If there is a question of whether NH Broadband is available, please check availability to see if service is available.   

We do not currently offer seasonal packages. Please check back for any updates.