Altice To Bring Faster Internet To The Hills In Basking Ridge

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Faster internet will soon be speeding into the Hills section of Bernards Township. Altice USA Inc./Optimum has agreed to lay fiber optic cables possibly as early as in the spring.

Committeeperson Janice Fields, who also serves as a liaison to the Utilities Advisory Task Force, said they have been working with Bedminster to get this implemented after hearing concerns from residents.

The call for action was heightened when the coronavirus pandemic hit. More residents began working from home and students needed technology for educational purposes.

As a result, the task force was formed and its first initiative was tackling internet service. A survey was sent out in May and June of 2021 for residents to express their concerns over their current service.

Since then the task force teamed up with Bedminster to set up talks with Altice to implement a change.

In November 2021, Optimum's Area Manager made a presentation on ways to improve service including adding fiber optics. Optimum noted the need to meet with HOA representatives to get permission to install the new service on private roads and private property.

"Optimum representatives intend to begin those meetings this month, and if all goes well, Optimum could begin installations in the early Spring of 2022 and complete the project in six to eight weeks," according to the task force's report.

Fields said she will continue to keep tabs on the project.

"I will continue to work with Altice and Bedminster in the installation of fiber optics in the Hills and will continue to give updates at township meetings as they arise," said Fields.

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This article originally appeared on the Basking Ridge Patch