Astound Completes Fiber-Optic Network in Newport, OR

Astound, a provider of Wi-Fi, mobile, TV and fiber-optic solutions, has completed construction of Newport, Ore.’s first fiber-optic network, bringing access to symmetrical internet speeds of up to 5 Gbps to the community’s more than 5,000 homes and 900 business locations, the company said.

Astound invested $4.6 million to complete approximately 55 miles of new fiber infrastructure throughout Newport. Along with all homes in the community, the area’s “anchor institutions,” such as government buildings, schools, fire houses, libraries and clinics, can also access the network. In addition, Astound included more than 300 South Beach area homes in the fiber build, upgrading the hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) that was previously in place. Astound engineered the network with a combination of above- and below-ground construction, officials said.

Newport can have a challenging outdoor climate, including wind and ice storms, but the Astound network is not susceptible to service disruptions tied to power outages, the company said. Thus, if residents have access to a generator or alternate power source, they can still access the internet.

Astound has made a concerted effort to strengthen its network with investments in fiber infrastructure and collaborations with industry providers like T-Mobile, eero and DIRECTV, officials said.

Astound has served the Newport area for nearly a decade, having acquired CoastCom in September 2016. CoastCom had been a longtime provider of commercial and enterprise services throughout the Newport community and local government.

“The Newport community deserves access to the same levels of reliable high-speed connectivity and fiber-optic infrastructure that more urban areas have come to expect,” said Jared Sonne, SVP and general manager, West region, for Astound. “We believe that the area’s residents and businesses alike will see immediate benefits from the vital connectivity that Astound’s robust fiber network infrastructure delivers.”

“Business needs are evolving at an unprecedented rate, and Astound’s network is future-ready, able to address today’s speed and capacity demands, as well as tomorrow’s opportunities,” added Patrick Knorr, chief commercial officer for Astound Business Solutions.