Northeast Georgia becomes the state's first gigabit hub
CLARKESVILLE, Ga., March 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Habersham EMC is increasing residential internet service speed to 1 gigabit per second, adding Habersham, White, Rabun and some rural parts of Stephens and Hall counties to the nation's list of gigabit communities.
Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140321/PH88024-a
Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140321/PH88024LOGO-b
The Trailwave gigabit service is $99/month and provides access to speeds up to 500 times faster than the 1-3Mbps service offered to residents by other providers. In addition to the gigabit product, Trailwave also offers 50 Mbps residential internet service packages starting at $49.95.
"A cooperative is based on the idea of working every day for the good of our members," says Todd Pealock, CEO of Habersham EMC, "so it's simple: we want to bring the fastest, most abundant connectivity to our members."
The fiber-to-the-home (ftth) network is actively servicing approximately 1,800 customers, who could upgrade to gigabit service with only a phone call. HEMC intends to expand fiber service to all 25,000 homes based solely on customer demand.
"Outside of our current serviceable area, we will connect where there is the most demand," said Michael Foor, Trailwave Project Manager, "anyone in an extended area can get service faster by encouraging their neighbors to pre-register as well."
As a gigabit hub, Northeast Georgia can reach a broader list of business prospects, as well as support home-based remote workers and startups.
"While the network is benefiting the co-op and its members by enabling advanced electric grid communications, we also recognize it is a part of the complete infrastructure package we bring to both recruitment and internal economic development efforts," said Pealock, "we can compete with the best broadband communities anywhere in the country."
Trailwave has deployed Trailblazers into specific areas and neighborhoods to help educate residents about the benefits they can experience by making the switch. These individuals are local residents who are passionate about expanding local internet options.
Interested residents can learn more and register at trailwave.com.
Habersham Electric Membership Corporation is a non-profit, member-owned cooperative serving Northeast Georgia with clean, reliable, affordable energy and providing communications and security solutions since 1938.
In 2009, HEMC helped launch North Georgia Network Cooperative (NGN), the inaugural recipient of $33.5 million BTOP grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Combined with local and state funding, NGN lit the 1,100-mile fiber optic system across North Georgia in 2012.
CONTACT: Michael Foor
706-754-2114
Email