News

Wilson expanding high-speed infrastructure

Monday, September 25, 2006

To see a video explaining Wilson's high-speed fiber optic network, click here. http://www.wilsonnc.org/videos/aroundtown/061004.wmv

The City of Wilson is building an optical fiber network that will allow every home, business and industry a high-speed connection to Internet, TV and telephone services.

High-speed fiber carries a reliable, fast signal, using light pulses carried over glass fibers. The fiber can carry large amounts of data much faster than the current cable, DSL and dialup services available to citizens. Currently, no private provider in Wilson offers fiber to every address.

"We’re looking at what Wilson will need in the future," City Manager Grant Goings recently told City Council. "Business and industry need a solid infrastructure to compete and to create jobs. We believe high-speed fiber service will be as necessary in the future as electricity and water are today."

City facilities have used an internal fiber network since Spring 2006. The 30-mile loop (8,640 fiber miles) has already proven itself to be faster and more reliable than the city’s former private provider. 

Uptown Services, a consultant group that considers business plans for municipal broadband providers, recently said that Wilson's business case is "one of the best Uptown has reviewed".