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Somerset Electric Coop Offers Some Members New Broadband Over Power Lines Service
State-of-the-Art, Low-Cost BPL Technology Provides Rural Access to High-Speed Internet and Bridges the Digital Divide
SOMERSET, Pa., May 24 -- Demonstrating the latest, state-of-the-art technology for Internet access, Somerset Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. has teamed up with International Broadband Electric Communications, Inc. (IBEC) and is now offering high-speed Internet services to a limited number of members by utilizing IBEC's Broadband over Power Lines (BPL) technology.
"BPL has provided a tremendous digital leap forward for the residents of our service area," said Rich Bauer, General Manager of the Somerset REC. "Our first substation has been certified and offers up to 3 Megabytes per second both ways."
IBEC is the nation's leader of BPL technology, holding a number of industry leading patents, and is providing the full-service BPL system for the Somerset REC. BPL utilizes existing power lines to provide high-speed Internet services to rural residents. Members literally plug into an electric outlet in their home to get broadband service.
IBEC has set up BPL at Somerset's Bando Substation, located about five miles south of Somerset.
More than 250 members that reside in the substation area can sign-up online at http://www.bpl.coop or contact IBEC's Customer Service Department by calling toll free number 1-888-IBEC-BPL (888-423-2275) and select option 1 for assistance. IBEC currently offers three different high-speed Internet BPL packages: Basic, Ultra, and Extreme.
"Our goal is to expand this high-speed Internet service over the next year into other substations as we see demand in the BPL program increase," added Bauer.
The cost to install BPL is a fraction of installing cable, DSL, or fiber optic in rural areas because BPL relies on long-established and existing electric power lines and infrastructure, and maximizes the use of the existing power grid. BPL is the most economical way to provide high-speed Internet in rural areas.
Prior to the development of IBEC's technology, many residents in the Somerset REC service area either had no or limited Internet options. IBEC's BPL solution is emerging as a fast-growing, viable Internet service in areas that have been left behind or underserved by the cable and telecomm sectors.
Contact: K.B. Forbes, kb.forbes@ibec.net
Phone (202) 320-1212
Source: International Broadband Electric Communications, Inc.
CONTACT: K.B. Forbes, +1-202-320-1212, kb.forbes@ibec.net, for
International Broadband Electric Communications, Inc.
Web Site: http://www.bpl.coop/
Somerset Electric Coop Offers Some Members New Broadband Over Power Lines Service
State-of-the-Art, Low-Cost BPL Technology Provides Rural Access to High-Speed Internet and Bridges the Digital Divide
SOMERSET, Pa., May 24 -- Demonstrating the latest, state-of-the-art technology for Internet access, Somerset Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. has teamed up with International Broadband Electric Communications, Inc. (IBEC) and is now offering high-speed Internet services to a limited number of members by utilizing IBEC's Broadband over Power Lines (BPL) technology.
"BPL has provided a tremendous digital leap forward for the residents of our service area," said Rich Bauer, General Manager of the Somerset REC. "Our first substation has been certified and offers up to 3 Megabytes per second both ways."
IBEC is the nation's leader of BPL technology, holding a number of industry leading patents, and is providing the full-service BPL system for the Somerset REC. BPL utilizes existing power lines to provide high-speed Internet services to rural residents. Members literally plug into an electric outlet in their home to get broadband service.
IBEC has set up BPL at Somerset's Bando Substation, located about five miles south of Somerset.
More than 250 members that reside in the substation area can sign-up online at http://www.bpl.coop or contact IBEC's Customer Service Department by calling toll free number 1-888-IBEC-BPL (888-423-2275) and select option 1 for assistance. IBEC currently offers three different high-speed Internet BPL packages: Basic, Ultra, and Extreme.
"Our goal is to expand this high-speed Internet service over the next year into other substations as we see demand in the BPL program increase," added Bauer.
The cost to install BPL is a fraction of installing cable, DSL, or fiber optic in rural areas because BPL relies on long-established and existing electric power lines and infrastructure, and maximizes the use of the existing power grid. BPL is the most economical way to provide high-speed Internet in rural areas.
Prior to the development of IBEC's technology, many residents in the Somerset REC service area either had no or limited Internet options. IBEC's BPL solution is emerging as a fast-growing, viable Internet service in areas that have been left behind or underserved by the cable and telecomm sectors.
Contact: K.B. Forbes, kb.forbes@ibec.net
Phone (202) 320-1212
Source: International Broadband Electric Communications, Inc.
CONTACT: K.B. Forbes, +1-202-320-1212, kb.forbes@ibec.net, for
International Broadband Electric Communications, Inc.
Web Site: http://www.bpl.coop/