Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. –Solarus is the first Internet service provider in Central Wisconsin to offer a one-gigabit (1,000 megabits-per-second) broadband network. With Solarus MediaShower, residential and business customers will benefit from the ability to access existing Internet services at dramatically higher speeds.
On January 18, 2013, the FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski issued the Gigabit City Challenge, encouraging broadband Internet providers to bring at least one gigabit speed Internet to all 50 states by 2015. Currently, there are less than 20 cities in the U.S. that offer residential gigabit service.
Doug Wenzlaff, Solarus CEO & General Manager commented, “This announcement is another example of our continuing commitment to provide Solarus customers the latest in communications technology. We were the first to provide high-speed Internet service to Wisconsin Rapids and surrounding areas, the first to provide 100% digital cable TV, the first to provide fiber to the home technology, and now the first to deploy gigabit Internet. We continue to lead the market and are always focused on the next technology to benefit Central Wisconsin consumers.
So what does gigabit Internet mean for consumers? With speeds at this level, downloads will be significantly faster: a 2.2 GB HD movie that usually takes 30 minutes to download will take approximately 18 seconds and a 4 GB console game that takes 55 minutes will take 33 seconds. Users will be able to stream videos and movies with no buffering and to Facetime or Skype with no interruptions.
Businesses will also benefit from this technology. “The exciting announcement by Solarus demonstrates the increasing role technology plays in our areas’ economic competitiveness,” Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Zachary Vruwink stated. “Broadband is a critical piece of our local infrastructure and, in turn, growing our local economy. As one of the few gigabit cities in the nation, the potential is huge for not only existing, but future businesses to capitalize on this asset.”
“Solarus’ gigabit offering is another great example of how our member companies are providing cutting edge services to their communities and customers,” said Bill Esbeck, Executive Director of the Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association (WSTA). “WSTA members have a history of continuous reinvestment that makes these product offerings possible.”
For more information contact Mike Meinel 715-421-8160.
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Solarus is headquartered in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, and offers local and long distance telephone, Internet and television service throughout North Central Wisconsin. To learn more about Solarus, visit www.solarus.net, or www.facebook.com/Solarus.net
