A better connection is coming to the more rural parts of the Jasper, Fairfield and Sand Creek communities.
The Sand Creek Communications Co. is working on a big undertaking it calls FTTH — Fiber to the Home. Company officials said this is the second stage in improving its services to its customers.
“We are committed to provide everyone, residences as well as businesses, with the ultimate in a quality fiber network,” Harvey Souders, Sand Creek Communications’ vice president and general manager, said.
The locally owned, 109-year-old independent telephone company, which has expanded over the years to include serving its complete exchange area with phone, toll, internet and television, will install 88 miles of fiber-optic cable to the entire rural exchange area, connecting 1,200 properties in rural areas where there may be a limited number of properties in a mile of construction.
“We’ll project spending approximately $4 million throughout the project,” Souders said.
But, he said, the project will not make customer rates go up.
He said it’s their “hope to increase subscribers and provide more services,” such as phone, broadband, TV programming and bundling services.
The company previously installed a fiber optic network into the more densely populated areas of Sand Creek, Fairfield and Jasper.
With fiber optic being the most up-to-date and desirable network available, Souders said, it can provide maximum broadband bandwidth in upload and download speeds with no loss in quality with higher traffic use, weather or other limitations.
“Today’s needs in a typical home or business is compounded with the numerous phones, smart televisions, iPads and numerous other instruments, student homework, individuals working from their home and more,” he said.
Souders said they expect to complete the project by the end of 2018. He said construction has started with 19 miles expected to be done this construction season before winter sets in. He said customers will receive a letter notifying them that workers will be coming to their property prior to construction in their neighborhood.
Those impacted may call 517-436-3130 or stop at Sand Creek Communications’ business office, 6525 Sand Creek Highway, with any questions.
Source: http://www.lenconnect.com/news/20170924/sand-creek-communications-expanding-its-reach