BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Another internet provider is expanding its reach in the Lehigh Valley.
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.
Upgrades will begin this summer, it said.
“Astound’s fiber network is uniquely suited to support mid-sized commercial customers across Pennsylvania — offering the flexibility, reliability and scalability they need to grow.”Astound Business Solutions Chief Commercial Officer Patrick Knorr, in a release.
“Astound’s fiber network is uniquely suited to support mid-sized commercial customers across Pennsylvania — offering the flexibility, reliability and scalability they need to grow,” Astound Business Solutions Chief Commercial Officer Patrick Knorr said in a release.
“This 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.
"Astound’s network is built for what’s now — and what’s next.”
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.
Deepening its roots
In 2022, it announced RCN Corporation, among other regional divisions, would become Astound.
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.
It's the most recent provider to deepen its roots in the area.
In January, Comcast Xfinity announced its connection into Upper Saucon Township, alongside Coopersburg, a pending Easton expansion and later growth into Bethlehem in May.
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.
Blue Ridge Communications also serves northern areas of the Lehigh Valley.
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.
Residential customers can lock in a one-year rate at $30 per month for 300 mbps or get up to 1500 mbps for $85 per month in a three-year price lock.
In a release, the company said it is recognized in customer surveys for outperforming major national providers in "speed, service, value and satisfaction."
