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December 7, 2002

Governor Hails Monadnock Connect's Progress in Expanding Affordable, High-Speed Telecommunications Services

CONCORD - Gov. Jeanne Shaheen today hailed the progress Monadnock Connect, a public-private initiative, is making in expanding affordable, high-speed telecommunications services in western New Hampshire.

Monadnock Connect today announced that the Cheshire Medical Center in Keene and Franklin Pierce College in Rindge on Monday became the first customers to connect to the new telecommunications infrastructure being installed in western New Hampshire by Monadnock Connect's partner, Equal Access networks.

"We continue to work to strengthen our economy and expand economic opportunities in every part of New Hampshire. That is why the State of New Hampshire joined with local organizations to create Monadnock and North Country Connects. With these initiatives, we are helping ensure that businesses in every part of our state will have access to the affordable, high-speed telecommunications services they need to compete in the 21st century," Gov. Shaheen said.

As part of Gov. Shaheen's telecommunications initiative, New Hampshire provided a $125,000 grant and partnered with local organizations to create Monadnock Connect. The state also provided a $125,000 grant and partnered with local organizations to create North Country Connect, serving Coos, Carroll, Grafton and Merrimack counties. Gov. Shaheen modeled the telecommunications initiative on Berkshire Connect, a project that has successfully expanded affordable telecommunications services in Western Massachusetts.

Both Monadnock Connect and North Country Connect have signed agreements with Global Crossing and Equal Access Networks, a telecommunications provider that will help expand the telecommunications infrastructure in New Hampshire. By grouping the demand of numerous businesses and nonprofits, they will be able to reduce telecommunications prices in the region by up to 60 percent, making them competitive with the prices in major cities.

markets.