Recently, the Biden-Harris administration announced $66 million in funds to help bring high-speed internet access to New Hampshire households and businesses. These funds will help connect 80 percent of locations in New Hampshire that are still lacking high-speed internet. And there is still so much more the state can achieve. It’s anticipated that New Hampshire will receive a total of $222 million through both the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help close the digital divide.

Broadband access, both wired and wireless is critical for bridging the digital divide. Nearly 12% of households in New Hampshire do not have a wired broadband subscription. Many of them rely exclusively on a smartphone to get online.

5G, the next generation of wireless connectivity, will play a critical role in ensuring that those who rely on a mobile device to get online have the access they need to participate in the digital economy regardless of their location. 5G will connect up to 100 times the number of devices at speeds up to 100 times faster than the 4G standard. That means wireless internet service providers can bring better connectivity to hard-to-reach parts of the state. And wireless companies can provide better coverage and capacity in urban areas to accommodate growing data demands and provide a platform for innovation.

Increasingly, businesses and their employees rely on mobile connectivity to fuel productivity. With more people working from home and on the go, workers require reliable internet access regardless of their location, and poor cell coverage is costly to productivity. If you are a startup who requires funding, would investors be dissuaded from investing in your business if your operations had limited connectivity options? Excellent connectivity can give entrepreneurs an option to grow and stay in cities like Manchester, Nashua and Concord, as opposed to having to opt for some of the nation’s tonier commercial hubs that pride themselves on ubiquitous broadband access – both wired and wireless.

Ultimately, these networks depend on a combination of towers, small cells and fiber that all work together seamlessly to move data at the speed of light and deliver the connectivity business and communities need. Companies like Crown Castle are working with carriers to build communications infrastructure, including a robust network in Nashua and Manchester. CTIA estimates that ultimately, growth associated with 5G in New Hampshire will generate $5.3 billion in GDP and 13,900 new jobs in the next ten years and unlock innovations in nearly every industry, including healthcare, professional services, education, entertainment & food, and transportation & warehousing.

The state continues to attract investment and talent because we have conveyed that we’re open for business. The next step is partnering with telecommunications companies to ensure the rapid buildout of fiber and 5G and guaranteeing we have the infrastructure required to remain competitive.

Gary Sloper is the managing partner and co-founder of Macronet, located in New Hampshire.

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