Fiber network grows in Saranac Lake
- This map shows where Slic Network Solutions has installed fiber-optic internet lines in Saranac Lake.
- Kevin Lynch, CEO of Slic Network Solutions, brought a map to the village board meeting to show where the fiber-optic lines have been installed in Saranac Lake. (Enterprise photo — Glynis Hart)

Kevin Lynch, CEO of Slic Network Solutions, brought a map to the village board meeting to show where the fiber-optic lines have been installed in Saranac Lake. (Enterprise photo — Glynis Hart)
SARANAC LAKE — On Monday night, Saranac Lake trustees heard how Slic Network Solutions is living up to its end of a bargain with the village.
The village entered into an agreement with the fiber-optic company last year, prepaying 10 years of user fees for the village offices, police department and fire station. This enabled Slic, based in Nicholville, to begin installing fiber in Saranac Lake. That initial buildout is now complete, enabling 100 businesses and 350 residential locations to sign up for the high-speed internet service.
Slic CEO Kevin Lynch produced a map to show trustees where the lines have been laid. The feeder trunk runs along Pine Street and was sponsored by the Development Authority of the North Country. Slic’s lines attach to the feeder trunk and go through downtown Saranac Lake, extending to the police station, fire station and north to the Department of Public Works garage on Van Buren Street.
“An advantage to you is that all the village facilities are interconnected now,” said Lynch.
Village Manager John Sweeney asked about providing Wi-Fi in the Saranac Lake Youth Center, which was a condition of Slic’s contract. Lynch said that is going to happen this week, probably. After the meeting, Lynch met with Youth Center Director Aleacia Landon about setting up a hot spot in the center.

This map shows where Slic Network Solutions has installed fiber-optic internet lines in Saranac Lake.
As his presentation came after a funding appeal from the Youth Center, he said Slic may be able to help the center find some computers.
He further explained that Slic’s upload and download speeds are symetrical. “You can put stuff up as quickly as you bring it down,” he said. The Youth Center hot spot will save the village money, as it is covered under the contract. The center is currently paying for Wi-Fi from another vendor.
Lynch said the company is expanding, having just been named in the Phase III round of funding by the state’s Broadband Now program. Slic will receive $26 million in state funding to expand its networks through northern New York.
“Our business is growing; we’re here for the long term,” he said. “I encourage people, if you’re not on the map and you want service, let us know. If there’s strong enough interest, we’d be interested in expanding there as well. If you’re just outside the green line, call, and we’ll see if we can do it.”
Sweeney asked how long it takes their technicians to respond to service calls. Although the company’s headquarters is in Nicholville, in St. Lawrence County, Lynch said they have service techs all over the North Country.
“Our guys are quite spread out,” he said. “We’ll get to any service calls within 24 hours.”