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8 HARTFORD BUSINESS JOURNAL | MAY 2023 | BUSINESS PROFILES T he last few years have demonstrated the crucial role of high-speed internet connections in every facet of life. But not all high-speed connections are the same. Discerning customers have been turning to GoNetspeed, the largest independently owned, 100% fiber internet provider in the Northeastern U.S. The company's fiber internet allows it to deliver symmetrical speeds, meaning that its home and business customers can upload data as fast as they can download it. And because the connection is through fiber, it is more reliable – and less susceptible to weather damage – than traditional cable and DSL networks. The company's success stems not just from technology alone, however, GoNetspeed also boasts an attentive customer-service staff that is available around the clock. Representatives pick up every call and, to ensure customer satisfaction, get to the root of any issue. At the same time, a full complement of construction crews and installation technicians is standing by. GoNetspeed formed in 2021 from the merger – backed by Oak Hill Capital – of five companies whose leaders brought more than 100 years of experience to bear to the venture. They also brought a track record of investment in Connecticut, having plowed more than $150 million into the state and laid more than 2,100 miles of fiber optic cable. Today, GoNetspeed offers service in nine states. It boasts plans to expand into more while extending its capacity in the areas where it already operates. In Connecticut, for example, the company opened a warehouse in 2021 in Berlin to support its construction efforts in the Hartford area. Two years later, it has already outgrown the space and plans to open another office. In addition, GoNetspeed plans to roll out exciting new products this year in the Connecticut market. Demand is likely to continue growing, as more and more areas of life require fast internet connections. People are working and shopping from home, of course. But they also are counting on their internet service to help deliver healthcare and home security. "Many of the communities we connect with are fully understanding the power of an infrastructure like ours and how it can positively impact them, not just for the next five years, but for decades," says Richard Clark, president and CEO of GoNetspeed. GoNetspeed's fiber network delivers a buffer-free internet experience whether its customers are working, learning, gaming, streaming or visiting with a telehealth provider. The promise is backed by a satisfaction guarantee allowing customers to cancel their service within 30 days for a full refund. When they are not wiring up new customers, the team at GoNetspeed can be found supporting charitable organizations. Every October, for example, GoNetspeed participates in several breast cancer initiatives across its service territories. In Fairfield County, employees participated in a month-long "Pink Pledge Campaign," raising money for the Norma Pfriem Breast Center at the Smilow Cancer Hospital in New Haven. Employees also take pride in the broader mission of GoNetspeed itself: rapidly connecting new communities to make fiber internet more accessible, improving online quality of life for decades to come. Connecting Customers for How They Live Today Address: 24 New Park Drive, Berlin, CT 06037 Phone: (855) 891-7291 Website: www.gonetspeed.com Product or Service: Residential and Business Fiber Internet Services No. of employees: 651 employees total, 106 employees in CT Top Executive Richard Clark, President and CEO Year Founded: 2021