Blue Ridge Communications, one of the nation’s first Broadband Internet providers, announced the beginning of a complete Fiber-to-the-Home rebuild of its cable systems serving rural Pennsylvanians.

After successfully deploying its first Fiber-to-the-Home system in rural Westfield, Pa, Blue Ridge will take its acquired knowledge and begin rebuilding its 8,000 miles of the cable plant, passing over 250,000 homes serving Northeastern Pennsylvania.

“Our current 1 Gig Hybrid Fiber Coax network serves our customers well with the speed and reliability they need. We always have our eye toward the horizon, and with this decision, we are looking to future-proof our network,” said Blue Ridge’s Mark Masenheimer, VP of operations.

Blue Ridge, like most operators, saw significant increases in customers and usage during the pandemic and only sees that trajectory continuing.

“We believe the need for speed and bandwidth will continue to increase as more and more people work, learn, and are entertained at home. Fiber allows for ultrafast symmetrical speeds and increased network reliability as well as the added environmental benefits of lower power consumption. It is the next logical step in the evolution of our network,” Masenheimer said.

Blue Ridge will introduce Fiber-to-the-Home area by area over the next few years. Blue Ridge assures its customers that it is preparing for the future and making a significant capital investment to build a state-of-the-art network to meet today’s and tomorrow’s needs.

“We love the communities we serve and believe a fiber network will attract new businesses, quality jobs, and improve the quality of life. With this investment, we continue our commitment to serving our customers and communities with the best technology available.” Masenheimer said.

Blue Ridge has been providing cable TV to communities in Pennsylvania since 1950 and started its Internet service in partnership with PenTeleData in 1994. Blue Ridge is committed to providing innovative, best in class services through strategic investments in forward-thinking technology and partnerships with industry leading companies. As we improve and expand our product offerings and our infrastructure, we continue our efforts to ensure that customers who live in rural areas can still access and enjoy the best of Blue Ridge. We also believe in being active partners with the communities we serve. Our team takes pride in supporting various local charities and organizations, including the American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Dream Come True, Easter Seals, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Operation Christmas Child.