Connect Ohio Quarterly
PARTNER Spotlight: New Era Broadband New Era Broadband is a small Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP) serving Appalachian Meigs County, Ohio. New Era provides a variety of speeds and services to deliver a wireless solution to businesses and households. Wireless solutions have the advantage of being able to reach many homes and businesses that are not serviced by a local phone company (DSL) or cable operator (Cable Internet). New Era continues to be pro-active in the implementation and deployment of fixed wireless services in order to connect residents desperately seeking a high-speed Internet solution in rural Ohio. New Era’s most recent project, the Broadband Infrastructure Project for Advancement of Rural Economic Development, will deliver broadband and high speed broadband services to more than 3,000 unserved residences, businesses and critical facilities in rural Appalachian Meigs County, Ohio, providing economic development opportunities and facilitating emergency services. For more information, visit www.newerabroadband.com New Era Broadband’s Service Area in Meigs County, Ohio.
Broadband Technology Capabilities Improve Throughout AT&T Coverage Areas continued from previous page
Internet-based technologies over the next several years to bring new services to Ohio consumers. AT&T’s U-verse TV is 100 percent Internet Protocol-based television (IPTV), utilizing the same digital streaming techniques as when watching video on the internet. The new technology brings with it competition between providers. Senate Bill 117, passed by both the Ohio House and Ohio Senate and signed into law by Ohio Governor Ted Strickland in 2007, encouraged new investment and competition between video franchising systems. Since the bill was passed, millions of dollars have been invested in the state’s digital infrastructure, offering competitive pricing and more choices. “Upgrading hardware is crucial in providing Ohio residents with adequate Internet access,” Connect Ohio’s Technical Outreach Manager said. “By installing fiber-rich networks, the quality of TV, high speed Internet, and wireless services can increase substantially.” A number of broadband service providers are developing Internet Protocol-Based services in which subscribers can take advantage of features such as the ability to view incoming calls and voicemail notifications and call history on the TV and even initiate calls using a PC or TV. This innovative technology is a way of using fiber to its fullest potential. l
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For additional information on AT&T 7 U-verse, please call 800-ATT-2020.