WILMINGTON — Deerfield Valley Communications Union District (DVFiber) has signed a construction contract with Sertex Broadband Solutions for the initial phase of constructing and installing a fiber optic network in southern Vermont. This marks a significant step toward making DVFiber's community-owned fiber network a reality, targeting the most underserved areas at the outset.
“We are proud to partner with DVFiber in expanding digital infrastructure in Southern Vermont,” Michael Solitro, CEO and founder of Sertex, said in a news release. “Gigabit connectivity is life-changing in rural areas, as it opens new doors for remote work, education, medical care, and economic opportunity."
DVFiber was established in 2020 to ensure that all on-grid households and businesses within the 24-member town district have access to reliable, high-speed Internet service. With this in mind, DVFiber has been working over the past three years to secure funding and establish partnerships with companies like Sertex to help it achieve its goals.
Sertex, founded in 1999, has as its mission “to deploy broadband infrastructures that are reliable, affordable, and built to last, focusing first in unserved and underserved areas.” Broadband Communities Magazine ranked Sertex as a 2022 Top 100 Fiber-to-the-Home Leader.
Steven John, chair of DVFiber, expressed eagerness to see trucks and crews installing its fiber network.
“This milestone represents more than three years of work by the DVFiber Board and its dedicated volunteers,” said John. He says hundreds of families will be connected to high-speed internet service.
DVFiber and Sertex are expected to start construction later this month. For more information about DVFiber and its mission to provide universal, affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service, visit dvfiber.net.