CenturyLink Enters the Gigabit Network Era

Date: 1 May 2013 | posted in: Media Coverage, MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Telecompetitor, May 1, 2013

If you believe that Google, with their Google Fiber initiative, intended to raise awareness about gigabit FTTP networks and persuade other ISPs to move in that direction, it appears to be working. The latest to join the movement is CenturyLink, who announced today that they willbring a symmetrical gigabit FTTP network to Omaha. The network will pass 48K homes in CenturyLink’s Omaha footprint.

“CenturyLink is pleased to offer its Omaha customers ultra-fast broadband speeds up to 1 Gbps to help keep pace with growing broadband demands,” said Karen Puckett, CenturyLink chief operating officer in a CenturyLink press release. “This demonstrates our commitment to deliver communications solutions that provide our customers with the technology they need to enhance their quality of life, now and into the future.”

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The service will be available to both business and residential customers. “Where feasible, CenturyLink is planning to connect additional businesses across the metro area with broadband speeds up to 1 Gbps,” says Meisse. CenturyLink will market the symmetrical 1 Gpbs service for $79.95 a month when bundled with other CenturyLink services. The stand alone price is $149.95, according to Meisse. Business pricing has not been revealed yet.

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Many more communities are also seeing gigabit access from primarily municipally owned FTTP networks. EPB Fiber of Chattanooga, TN was perhaps the first high profile gigabit project. Others include Wilson, NC, Bristol, VA, and Lafayette, LA, and most recently, rural Vermont. The Institute for Local Self-Reliance, who advocates for community owned broadband, reports 35 communities across the U.S. now have a gigabit network  in place. (link http://www.telecompetitor.com/interactive-map-plots-35-community-networks-offering-1-gigabit-service/ )

Read the full story here.

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