NORTHAMPTON — In an attempt to bring faster and more reliable internet to the community, a Missouri-based company is bringing its internet services to Northampton later this year.
Gateway Fiber announced via a press release that their internet services are expected to be available to the Northampton community by this fall.
In its announcement, Gateway said that their “multi-million-dollar investment” will bring a “far superior” online experience than what cable, DSL or 5G internet offers.
“Residents and businesses in Northampton will soon have access to Gateway Fiber’s lightning-fast, symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 2 gigabits per second,” read Gateway’s announcement. “This life-changing technology paves the way for enhanced online experiences, including seamless streaming, lag-free gaming and ultra-fast downloads.”
According to John Meyer, the company’s chief marketing officer, Gateway started in the western suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri, in 2019 before expanding its reach to the northern suburbs of Minneapolis in late 2023. Now, they are entering Western Massachusetts, and the state, for the first time.
“From our standpoint, [Northampton] is a really attractive market,” Meyer told Reminder Publishing. “It’s got good demographics, good density, and we’re really excited about coming to a new state.”
Gateway’s announcement comes six months after the city of Northampton hosted a public meeting to present a two-year Broadband Feasibility Study conducted by Design Nine that illustrated an overwhelming interest in municipal broadband throughout Northampton.
According to a 2021 survey, which was part of the feasibility study process, 87% of residents and 86% of businesses said they were interested in faster and more reliable internet service. The survey included 2,993 respondents, but not every person who participated answered every question.
During that same meeting, many residents expressed dissatisfaction with the price gauging caused by some private sectors they deal with.
When asked about what Gateway offers for prices, Meyer explained that the company prides itself on creating the “simplest, most transparent pricing experience they can.”
“We recognize that, you know, we have a great product, and we have a great team and great customer service,” Meyer said. “At the end of the day, people want to make sure they are getting the value they are paying for.”
According to Meyer, Gateway offers four different speed tiers. The entry level tier is 300 megabits per second at $65 per month and includes Wi-Fi and security features that protect against viruses.
The other speed tiers include 600 megabits per second for $75 a month, $90 a month for 1,000 megabits per second and $150 a month for 2,000 megabits per second.
“There’s no data caps, hidden fees, installation fees or taxes,” Meyer said, of the pricing. “We want to make sure that when customers choose us, it’s a long-term engagement.”
Aside from the Wi-Fi service, Gateway also offers television streaming thanks to a partnership with MyBundle TV, according to Meyer. The partnership allows customers to choose the best streaming platform for them depending on their interests.
“We offer that up as a benefit for people as they migrate away from traditional sort of cable television,” said Meyer, who added that Gateway also offers its own phone service in the form of a voiceover IP phone.
According to the announcement, Gateway is currently in the process of opening an office and warehouse space these next several weeks in Chicopee at 150 Padgette St., Unit A. Meyer said that the construction of the new network will happen sometime in the summer or fall, and then the service will be available to customers shortly thereafter.
In a statement to Reminder Publishing, Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra said the city will be closely watching Gateway’s move into Northampton’s internet service market.
“It’s important that our residents have more options to choose from for their broadband needs,” Sciarra said. “Our goal has always been to introduce competition that could lead to better services and lower costs. I am eager to hear how Gateway Fiber plans to ensure that everyone in Northampton benefits from expanded internet service options.”
State Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa (D-Northampton) expressed excitement for the new service provider in her own statement.
“It is an exciting moment for Northampton to have a new fiber provider making a substantial investment in our city,” Sabadosa said. “This investment will help to lower costs, which is especially important for our lower-income residents and residents on fixed income, while also offering reliable internet service. I’m very grateful that Northampton was selected, as this will be a net positive for our residents.”
