NITCO brings fiber internet to homes in Hebron and DeMotte

NITCO understands how important connection is. To ensure that Hebron and DeMotte have the best connection possible, NITCO has three full-time crews working underground across Hebron and DeMotte, one property at a time.

As a result of this tireless work, each home connected gets a faster, more reliable connection than the copper lines many residents have used for decades.

“We have about 14,000 homes that we could service in our primary territory,” said Tom Carroll, senior vice president for sales and marketing at NITCO. “There’s another 20,000 or so homes outside of our primary territory that we could potentially serve as well.”

NITCO has served both Hebron and DeMotte for nearly 90 years. In fact, the company began as the phone provider for the area.

“Today, NITCO has a wide-ranging view of products,” said Carroll. “We support everything from high-speed internet using fiber to DSL to coax. Plus there is NITCO TV, which is a great television product.”

Fiber is now the main priority. More than 3,000 homes are connected so far, and NITCO expects to add 700 to 800 more this year. The company plans to connect another 1,000 next year.

Hebron is about 70% complete, and DeMotte is between 10% and 15% complete. The company is finishing Hebron while ramping up in DeMotte. Rural areas around both towns come next.

“We work with the local homeowners and developers,” Carroll said. “People are wonderful about it and see the value in bringing fiber to their home rather than the old copper DSL.”

Most of the work happens below ground. Crews use boring equipment to reach each home with minimal disruption to lawns and driveways. Before the work begins, NITCO mails each customer a buried drop form. Residents mark underground dog fences, sprinkler lines, and septic systems so crews avoid them.

Carroll noted that the difference shows up in daily life.

Copper limits speed and capability, and it costs more to maintain. Fiber is more reliable and less expensive. It also handles the data demands of modern households, from remote work to streaming to video calls.

“Once we have the infrastructure in place, we can generally get homeowners installed with fiber in less than a week,” Carroll said. “If they need an underground bore to reach the house, it’s less than 30 days.”

This commitment to the area is not new for NITCO. NITCO also supports local schools, athletic teams and nonprofits with sponsorships and donations. Carroll said that support is part of how the company operates. Residents who want fiber service can help decide where construction goes next.

NITCO keeps a “fiber to the home” interest list, and project managers use it to set priorities. When several households on the same street sign up, that neighborhood moves up the schedule.

“Send us an email, or just give us a call, and we will take all your information,” Carroll said. “It might not be next week, but I bet it’s this year.”

To join the list or learn more about fiber service, visit nitco.com.