BETHLEHEM, Pa. \u2014 Another internet provider is expanding its reach in the Lehigh Valley.<\/p>\n
Astound announced an $81 million investment to grow its network by more than 315,000 homes and nearly 25,000 businesses throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania by the end of 2026. <\/p>\n
Upgrades will begin this summer, it said. <\/p>\n
\u201cAstound\u2019s fiber network is uniquely suited to support mid-sized commercial customers across Pennsylvania \u2014 offering the flexibility, reliability and scalability they need to grow.\u201d <\/p>\n
Astound Business Solutions Chief Commercial Officer Patrick Knorr, in a release. <\/p>\n
\u201cAstound\u2019s fiber network is uniquely suited to support mid-sized commercial customers across Pennsylvania \u2014 offering the flexibility, reliability and scalability they need to grow,\u201d Astound Business Solutions Chief Commercial Officer Patrick Knorr said in a release. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis expansion also complements our existing capabilities to deliver 400Gb+ connectivity for large enterprise clients, reinforcing our commitment to future-ready infrastructure for businesses of all sizes. <\/p>\n
“Astound\u2019s network is built for what\u2019s now \u2014 and what\u2019s next.\u201d<\/p>\n
The telecommunications provider said it serves customers in California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Oregon, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, the Washington, D.C. metro area and Washington State. <\/p>\n
Sixty-percent of homes Astound will reach in the Lehigh Valley are located in Bethlehem, Easton and Allentown.<\/p>\n
The network upgrade will reach all areas of its existing footprint, with an incremental 16,000 new addresses being built by year-end 2025 and additional homes to be released in 2026, a company spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
Due to potential shifts in weather, ground conditions, inventory statuses, and access, the construction schedule remains flexible to accommodate these variables and their impact on progress, the spokesperson added, noting Astound would proactively notify customers whose homes and businesses are scheduled for upgrades.<\/p>\n
Deepening its roots<\/p>\n
In 2022, it announced RCN Corporation, among other regional divisions, would become Astound. <\/p>\n
Its newest Pennsylvania investment breaks down into $39 million toward the Lehigh Valley expansion and $42 million to grow its service into the City of Scranton and Luzerne and Lackawanna counties. <\/p>\n
It’s the most recent provider to deepen its roots in the area. <\/p>\n
In January, Comcast Xfinity announced its connection into Upper Saucon Township<\/a>, alongside Coopersburg, a pending Easton expansion and later growth into Bethlehem in May<\/a>.<\/p>\n Verizon Fios also has continued an expansion through the region, and Service Electric has a footprint in nearly all of the Lehigh Valley as a legacy service provider.<\/p>\n Blue Ridge Communications also serves northern areas of the Lehigh Valley.<\/p>\n In the Lehigh Valley, according to the Astound website, its business rates range from $29.95 per month for 500 mbps to $119.95 per month for 1500 mbps.<\/p>\n