Bergen County Fiber Initiative Brings Reliable Internet to Local Towns

Little Ferry Plugs In: How the Bergen County Fiber Initiative is Cutting Costs and Boosting Internet Speed for Local Government.

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Little Ferry, NJ – Local town governments and libraries across Bergen County are getting a major digital upgrade thanks to the Bergen County Fiber Initiative. This county-owned broadband service is designed to deliver secure, affordable, and highly reliable internet access, while simultaneously saving taxpayer dollars.

The latest success story comes from Little Ferry, which officially activated its high-speed county service this week.

Little Ferry: A New Connection to Reliable Broadband

Little Ferry Mayor Mauro Raguseo marked the activation alongside Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco, Commissioner Chairwoman Mary Amoroso, Commissioner Tracy Zur, and community leaders.

“This initiative gives our residents and businesses access to faster, more reliable internet while also saving taxpayer dollars,” said Mayor Raguseo. “Bergen Fiber shows what’s possible when local and county government work hand in hand to deliver real results.”

Why Bergen Fiber is a Game-Changer

The initiative, publicly announced by County Executive Tedesco in February 2024, is the result of a two-year collaboration between the county’s IT department and the Millenium Communications Group.

By developing and owning its fiber infrastructure, Bergen County has achieved two major feats:

1. Eliminating Commercial Carrier Dependence: The county is no longer subject to the fluctuating rates of large commercial providers.
2. Stopping “Throttling”: The county-owned line prevents the slowing down of internet speeds often experienced during peak hours.

The result is significant savings. Some municipalities estimate they are cutting their broadband costs by as much as 50% compared to what they were paying commercial carriers previously.

County Executive Tedesco emphasized the equity aspect: “With Bergen Fiber, we are ensuring that every town — big or small — has the ability to access secure, affordable and reliable internet at a fraction of the cost of commercial carriers.”

The Growing Network: Who is Already Connected?

Little Ferry joins a robust and growing list of 25 agencies already participating in the Bergen Fiber Network, including municipal halls and local libraries.

Participating Agencies Include:

• Municipalities: Fair Lawn, Fairview, Franklin Lakes, Hillsdale, Lodi, Maywood, Midland Park, Montvale, Oakland, Palisades Park, River Vale, Rutherford, Saddle River, Teaneck, Tenafly, Upper Saddle River, and Woodcliff Lake.
• Libraries: Fort Lee, Hillsdale, Lodi, Mahwah, Paramus, Park Ridge, and Upper Saddle River.
• Other Agencies: Tenafly Police Department, Bergen County Utilities Authority, and Northwest Bergen County Utilities Authority.

Federal Funding and the Future of Broadband

The success of the Bergen Fiber Initiative aligns with broader state and federal efforts to improve digital access. Bergen County is poised to benefit from the $236.7 million in federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) funding allocated to address unserved and underserved communities across New Jersey.

While seven other counties received additional grants specifically targeting areas with limited high-speed internet, the Bergen Fiber Network demonstrates a proactive, self-sustaining model for solving the “digital divide” problem at the local level.

Is Your Town Ready to Connect?

Municipalities interested in joining the Bergen Fiber Network and drastically reducing their broadband costs are encouraged to reach out:

• Contact: Brendan O’Reilly, Bergen County Shared Services Coordinator
• Email: BOReilly@BergenCountyNJ.gov

 

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