Construction is underway on a new fiber-optic internet network that will bring speeds of up to two gigabits to Newport homes and businesses.
GoNetspeed, the Northeast’s largest independent fiber-optic network builder, announced Monday that initial construction work has begun on the project, which will serve more than 8,200 residences and businesses. Newport marks the company’s first service area in Rhode Island, making it the 10th state in GoNetspeed’s network.
The first customers are expected to come online in early 2026, with service expanding neighborhood by neighborhood.
“We can’t wait for Newport to experience GoNetspeed’s speed and fast, reliable service,” said Richard Clark, GoNetspeed president and CEO. “Fiber is the internet technology of the future, and we are gearing up to connect Newport to unmatched speeds and a renewed potential for economic growth.”
The project is backed by a $3.9 million investment from GoNetspeed and a $9 million award from the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation’s Capital Projects Fund.
GoNetspeed offers symmetrical upload and download speeds ranging from 500 Mbps to 2 Gbps.
The company, which formed a partnership with Oak Hill Capital in 2021, serves residential and business customers in 11 states: Maine, Alabama, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia.
Residents interested in the service can pre-order at gonetspeed.com/ri/newport.