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(Boston, MA) – June 11, 2024 – Astound Broadband (Astound), an award-winning provider of Internet, mobile and TV services, recently participated in a celebration of Peabody Veterans Memorial High School’s (PVMHS) first-in-the-nation high school fiber-optics lab and internship program. Astound, in partnership with PVMHS’s Careers and Technical Educational (CTE) Program, helped build the lab in 2022, to teach the students about fiber-optic installation and repair. The program includes both classroom and on the job instruction. The internship program is now in its third year with six students completing the internship program.

At the event, Mark Bentley, Switch Transport Manager who oversees the internship program for Astound, said that the company wanted to donate its time and expertise so that PVMHS could have the best and first fiber-optic teaching lab in the country. “We are looking forward to the next generation being trained in the field of fiber-optics, and the partnership will provide skilled and certified technicians to fill critical positions. This is an incredible opportunity for the students to learn state of the art tech skills, and for Astound Broadband, as we help to create a program that we hope can be modeled elsewhere,” said Bentley.

At the event, student Amelia Stewart described her experience as an Astound intern, “My passion is the innovation for the future. I want to be part of it. This lab is hope for my future. Working with Astound is perfect opportunity to embrace my passions.”

“Our partnership with Astound accelerated our electronics program and has put Peabody at the forefront of education and training in fiber-optics,” said Brooke Randall, PVMHS Principal. “Under the guidance of teacher Dale Larocque combined with Astound’s on the job training, our students are becoming certified with highly technical skills that will help them in any career path they choose.”

The PVMHS fiber-optic lab provides students with a practical, in-class experience to enhance their instruction and provides the instructor with the ability to customize lab exercises to adapt to students’ various learning styles. The lab includes active, long-distance circuits, travelling across multiple points in Astound’s Massachusetts fiber network and returning to the lab. At this lab, students have been able to run exercises, trouble shoot problems and build their skills and experience for a career in fiber-optics. Astound created this paid internship program for students to acquire on-the-job skills by working in internships supervised by Astound technicians.

The event also recognized the Fiber Optics Association, who certified the lab as a training facility. The lab includes fiber-optic racks, patch panels, transmission equipment and other materials used in the industry today.

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About Astound Broadband
Astound Broadband (astound.com) is the sixth largest cable operator in the U.S., providing award-winning services, fiber-powered internet, TV, mobile, landline phone and fiber optic solutions for residential and business customers across the United States. Astound Broadband is comprised of organizations formerly known as RCN, Grande Communications, Wave Broadband, and enTouch. The company services Chicago, Indiana, Eastern Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York City, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Texas, regions throughout California, Oregon, and Washington.

Media Contact
Ann Murphy
astound@sevenletter.com
617-646-1031

Princeton, NJ- May 31, 2024 — Astound Broadband (Astound), an award-winning provider of Internet, mobile and TV services, today announced the immediate availability of a new low-cost, affordable internet program, Internet First for qualifying households. Astound developed the program to help keep residents connected as funding for the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) fully comes to an end as of May 31, 2024. Internet First is available now for eligible customers who qualify, starting at $9.95 per month for 50Mbps and $19.95 per month for 150Mbps, with three months free for new customers.

Astound’s Internet First program has no contracts, no credit checks, and no installation fees and delivers more speed and more value than other providers. In addition, the program is offering one free line of Astound Unlimited Mobile for 12 months.

“Astound Broadband developed Internet First so all residents can have access to affordable, reliable, fast internet to meet their daily needs,” said Jim Holanda, Astound CEO. “Internet First is a low-cost, high-quality internet program that provides peace of mind and keeps customers connected to everything that matters to them.”

Astound is also working closely with local governments, school districts and nonprofits to help families get connected and stay connected to the internet. Internet First is available to those who qualify and participate in public assistance programs like the National School Lunch Program, housing assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, and others.

“Bridging the digital divide is crucial to maintain thriving communities, and Astound’s Internet First program will help eligible households stay connected,” Holanda added.

Internet First Highlights:

• 50 Mbps Internet for $9.95/month
• 150 Mbps Internet for $19.95/month
• Modem & WiFi Included
• No Contracts | No Credit Check | No Installation Fees
• 3 Months Free for new customers
• One line of Astound Unlimited Mobile free for 12 months

For information on eligibility and more about Internet First go to https://www.internetfirst.com.

Astound’s commitment to the communities it serves is also reflected in its company-wide initiative, Astound Community Connect, which supports key partnerships with nonprofit and community organizations. Recently, Astound announced a partnership with Habitat for Humanity to help families in need achieve safe, decent and affordable housing. Astound is donating over $670,000 to the organization, which will support building homes and is hosting over 40 employee volunteer events.

Over the past several years, Astound has supported both local and national nonprofit organizations that have made significant impacts in Astound communities, including distributing $1 million in separate grants to 30 local nonprofits in its service areas, donating along with its customers, $210,000 to Feeding America, to support local food banks. In Massachusetts, Astound helped to build the first-in-the-nation high school fiber optic program at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School, where it donated all the equipment and labor, and continues to provide paid internships to Peabody high school students seeking training in the fiber-optic industry.

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About Astound Broadband
Astound Broadband (astound.com) is the sixth largest cable operator in the U.S., providing award-winning services, fiber-powered internet, TV, mobile, landline phone and fiber optic solutions for residential and business customers across the United States. Astound Broadband is comprised of organizations formerly known as RCN, Grande Communications, Wave Broadband, and enTouch. The company services Chicago, Indiana, Eastern Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York City, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Texas, regions throughout California, Oregon, and Washington.

Media Contact
Ann Murphy
astound@sevenletter.com
617-646-1031

(Boston, MA) – May 22, 2024 – In honor of Nurses Week 2024, Astound Broadband powered by RCN provided free frozen treats from the Astound Ice Cream Truck to healthcare workers from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute on May 7. Next month, Astound is supporting the popular annual event, the Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl presented by Herb Chambers, as a media partner. The Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl will be held on Boston City Hall Plaza from 12pm to 8pm on June 4, 5, 6. Purchase your tickets today at www.scooperbowl.org!

Proceeds from the Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl will directly support patient care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Astound Broadband Powered by RCN provides award winning internet, mobile phone, TV, and streaming services and serves the Massachusetts communities of Allston, Arlington, Boston, Brighton, Brookline, Burlington, Charlestown, Dedham, Dorchester, Everett, Framingham, Hyde Park, Lexington, Milton, Natick, Needham, Newton, Peabody, Revere, Roslindale, Somerville, Stoneham, Wakefield, Waltham, Watertown, West Roxbury, and Woburn. For more information call 1-800-4-Astound.

About Astound Broadband
Astound Broadband (astound.com) is the sixth largest cable operator in the U.S., providing award-winning services, fiber-powered internet, TV, mobile, landline phone and fiber optic solutions for residential and business customers across the United States. Astound Broadband is comprised of organizations formerly known as RCN, Grande Communications, Wave Broadband, and enTouch. The company services Chicago, Indiana, Eastern Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York City, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Texas, regions throughout California, Oregon, and Washington.

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Media Contact
Ann Murphy
astound@sevenletter.com
617-646-1031

Astound’s Partnership Will Support Habitat for Humanity’s Annual Home is the Key Campaign

Princeton, NJ – April, 1, 2024 – Astound Broadband (Astound), an award-winning provider of Internet, Mobile and TV services, today announced a broad partnership with Habitat for Humanity to support affordable homeownership in communities within Astound’s service footprint and beyond. Astound is committed to combining financial support, in-kind support and employee volunteerism, as well as providing opportunities for customers and others to participate. Astound is donating more than $670,000 to Habitat for Humanity that will support building homes and hosting over 40 employee volunteer events in the communities in which Astound serves. Astound’s collaboration will involve employee volunteers in every market in its footprint including Chicago, Indiana, Eastern Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York City, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Texas, and regions throughout California, Oregon, and Washington.

April is Fair Housing Month and commemorates the passage of the 1968 Fair Housing Act, a landmark legislation that prohibits discrimination on the sale, rental and financing of housing based on race, religion or nationality. As part of its partnership with Habitat, Astound will support the organization’s annual Home is the Key national campaign to help increase equitable access to homeownership and build inclusive communities across the U.S. Astound’s support of Home is the Key will include two home build events which will occur on April 26^th at 1435 Philip Street in Bethlehem, PA and at 7200 S University Ave in Chicago, IL. At these events, Astound’s employee volunteers will work side-by-side with local Habitat for Humanity affiliates and future homeowners to help build their new homes.

“As Fair Housing Month gets underway, Astound’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity and its efforts to help break down barriers to homeownership and to help address racial equity and the wealth gap is a critical step in doing our part to make a positive difference,” said Jim Holanda, Astound CEO.  “Astound employees will roll up their sleeves and get to work to help build new affordable homes alongside families in our local communities. Our collaboration with Habitat for Humanity continues our longtime commitment to the communities we serve.”

“We are excited to have Astound Broadband as a Home is the Key sponsor this year,” said Charlita Stephens-Walker, vice president, corporate and cause marketing partnerships, Habitat for Humanity International. “Habitat has seen firsthand how safe, affordable homes change lives and communities. Having the support of partners like Astound will further our efforts to make communities and access to homeownership more equitable and inclusive to all.”

This partnership is one of many where Astound has delivered on the company’s commitment to serving its communities through volunteerism, philanthropy and financial support through the lens of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Over the past several years, Astound has supported both local and national nonprofit organizations that have made significant impacts in Astound communities. In 2022, Astound distributed $1 million in separate grants to 30 local nonprofits in its service areas. In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, Astound and its customers donated $210,000 to Feeding America, supporting local food banks. In 2021, Astound helped to build the first-in-the-nation high school fiber optic program at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School in Peabody MA, where Astound donated all the equipment and labor. Through that partnership, Astound continues to provide paid internships to Peabody high school students seeking training in the fiber-optic industry.

About Astound Broadband
Astound Broadband (astound.com) is the sixth largest cable operator in the U.S., providing award-winning services, fiber-powered internet, TV, mobile, landline phone and fiber optic solutions for residential and business customers across the United States. Astound Broadband is comprised of organizations formerly known as RCN, Grande Communications, Wave Broadband, and enTouch. The company services Chicago, Indiana, Eastern Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York City, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Texas, regions throughout California, Oregon, and Washington.

About Habitat for Humanity
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.

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Media Contact
Ann Murphy
astound@sevenletter.com
617-646-1031

Top Workplaces USA celebrates organizations with 150+ employees that have built great cultures

Princeton, NJ – March 27, 2024 — Astound Broadband (Astound), an award-winning provider of Internet, Mobile and TV services, today announced it has earned the 2024 Top Workplaces USA award. The award was based solely on feedback gathered from Astound employees through an employee engagement survey issued by Energage. Astound’s approximate 3,300 employees are located coast-to-coast in its footprint including Chicago, Indiana, Eastern Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York City, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Texas, and regions throughout California, Oregon, and Washington. Astound employees work in a multitude of positions ranging from front line service technicians, call center agents, warehouse personnel, administrative and support staff, network engineers, fiber construction and more.

“Astound employees are and have been the foundation of our company and the 2024 Top Workplaces USA Award confirms that,” says Jim Holanda, Astound CEO. “We are grateful to our many teammates for helping to build a positive, supportive workplace environment that focuses on customer service, supporting each other, and integrity all of which contributes to our success. Astound wouldn’t be where it is today without our outstanding employees at all levels of the organization.”

Astound is focused on empowering its employees through ongoing engagement in the workplace and with the communities it serves. The company has been recognized for its community outreach efforts that connects employees to their local communities and to their customers. In 2023, Astound was honored by Cablefax Magazine for its outstanding commitment to community relations.

Energage is a purpose-driven organization that develops solutions to build and brand Top Workplaces and celebrates organizations with 150 or more employees that have built great cultures. More than 42,000 organizations were invited to participate in the Top Workplaces USA survey.

“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”

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About Astound Broadband
Astound Broadband (astound.com) is the sixth largest cable operator in the U.S., providing award-winning services, fiber-powered internet, TV, mobile, landline phone and fiber optic solutions for residential and business customers across the United States. Astound Broadband is comprised of organizations formerly known as RCN, Grande Communications, Wave Broadband, and enTouch. The company services Chicago, Indiana, Eastern Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York City, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Texas, regions throughout California, Oregon, and Washington.

About Energage
Making the world a better place to work together.^TM
Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 18 years of culture research and the results from 27 million employees surveyed across more than 70,000 organizations,  Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com.

Media Contact
Ann Murphy
astound@sevenletter.com
617-646-1031