An organization aiming to speed up connections in underserved sections of western New Hampshire has begun to move forward in implementing an improved broadband infrastructure in the region.

New Hampshire Fast-Roads has awarded a design and project management contract to Design Nine for the development of its regional network and is currently seeking an engineering firm to build it.

Design Nine will design the next-generation fiber network that will bring high-speed broadband, including Internet access, to the Upper Valley and Monadnock regions of New Hampshire. The company will provide network architecture design and mapping services, as well as assist FastRoads in all facets of project planning, including environmental assessment, bidding, procurement, quality assurance and regulatory permitting, among many other responsibilities.

The project will deliver fiber network access to 20 towns and 220 Community Anchor Institutions in the area.

The network design will begin immediately, with construction of the first phase of the network to be completed in spring 2012. This phase will bring fiber connections between Orford and Enfield. The second phase of the project should be completed in the fall of 2012, allowing connections for those living between Keene and Rindge. The third phase should be finished by spring of 2013, with faster connections available for those living between Enfield and Lempster.

The new connections will provide speeds that are 100 to 130 times faster than the current minimum federal standard for broadband Internet at 768 kilobits per second download speed, and 200 kps upload speed.

“Our work with FastRoads will help the region prosper in the knowledge economy,” Andrew Cohill, Design Nine’s founder and chief executive officer, is quoted as saying in a press release issued by Fast-Roads last month. “In addition to designing the network, our role is to enable Fast-Roads staff and board members to make smart technology and strategic decisions.”

FastRoads is partnering with Network New Hampshire Now, a collaboration of public and private organizations to develop a high-speed broadband network throughout the state. A $44.5 million grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and $22 million in matching funds and private donations fund the project.

New Hampshire FastRoads is an LLC of the Monadnock Economic Development Corporation.
According to FastRoads Executive Director Carole Monroe, Design Nine was awarded the contract in a highly competitive bidding process due to its deep experience in designing open access, open services networks.

“Design Nine has helped build many broadband networks, and is one of the few firms in the country with experience in open access, fiber to the premise broadband networks, which FastRoads will be,” Monroe is quoted as saying in the FastRoads press release. “The company was also instrumental in providing the broadband planning, network architecture design, financial planning and grant writing that enabled FastRoads to partner with [Network New Hampshire Now] in submitting a successful grant proposal for funding.”

Design Nine was founded in 1987 to provide technology advice and services to community, business and public clients. The company offers a comprehensive array of technology advisory services, telecommunications project management and broadband design assistance.

FastRoads has issued a request for qualifications to find an engineering firm to build the network. The winning firm will also be responsible for the engineering, bid management and inspection of the fiber optic plant facilities.

“Selecting the best qualified engineering firm is critical to ensure that homes, businesses and institutions have the best broadband infrastructure to support jobs and sustainable economic development,” Monroe is quoted as saying in the press release. “When complete, FastRoads will bring rich new broadband services to the region such as high-speed Internet, voice telephony, IP-based television, movies-on-demand, business class videoconferencing, healthcare home monitoring, home and business security, computer backup, public access television, Internet radio, and many other advanced services.”