Understanding Fiber Optic Handholes in the Dryden Fiber Network 

As Dryden Fiber continues expanding high-speed internet service across our community, residents may notice small beige or tan covers appearing near roadsides, lawns, or sidewalks. These underground access points are called handholes (sometimes called vaults), and they are a critical part of building and maintaining a modern fiber-optic network. 

DRYDEN — Dryden Fiber Executive Director David Makar said he realized he wanted to do a community survey a few months into the position. Years later, that goal is becoming real as he works with Cornell students on a survey for the municipal run internet service provider.

The month of March brings the official start of spring and we’re hopeful for warmer weather to support the continued construction of Dryden Fiber across the town. Today, Dryden Fiber reaches over 1,800 parcels across town. Our goal is that by the end of the year, 100% of the inhabited parcels have service available.

March 3, 2026 Update: We've filled this role. Thank you to the candidates who applied.

January 15, 2026

Dryden Fiber is seeking an Account Manager to join the team.

Happy New Year! The team and I are planning for a banner year for Dryden Fiber in 2026. If 2025 was all about preparation, 2026 is all about action. By the end of the year, weather permitting and when everything goes to plan, we will have completed the mainline construction of Dryden Fiber to every parcel in the town of Dryden. This means, over 6,000 parcels; 7,200 households; and over 13,680 residents and businesses will have access to high speed fiberoptic internet.

On October 28 and 31, 2025, we posted on our Facebook page updates about the groundbreaking in Caroline and construction in Dryden. A few questions came up; some questions were combined and answered online. All of the answers are posted here. Thank you all for your comments on the timing of construction, Caroline’s expansion, and the construction schedule.