CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.�The municipal utilityEPB FiberOpticsis now offering the world�s first 10 gigabit (10 Gig) Internet service, which will be available across a large community-wide territory. Unlike point-to-point commercial installations, which have been possible for some time, EPB�s 10 Gig service is now available for access by every home and business in a 600 square mile area through Alcatel-Lucent�sTWDM-PONbroadband technology.
The 10 Gig residential service is available everywhere in EPB�s service area for $299 per month with free installation, no contracts and no cancellation fees.�EPB is also launching 5 Gig and 10 Gig Internet products for small businesses as well as 3 Gig, 5 Gig and 10 Gig �Professional� products for larger enterprises. These Internet services are available at varying price points.
Chattanooga�s �original� fiber optic network, providing 1 Gbps speeds, produced tangible benefits to the local economy. A study recently released by University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Finance professor Bento Lobo shows �the Gig Network� helped the Chattanooga area generate at least 2,800 new jobs and at least $865.3 million in economic and social benefits.
Chattanooga has emerged as a role model for other cities across the nation, illustrating the economic benefits that true high-speed bandwidth can bring. Chattanooga�s experience in creating its own fiber optic network shows other cities, towns and counties that they can also build the infrastructure needed for a gigabit network. In fact, municipal utilities, government officials, community leaders and private companies from around the globe and the U.S. routinely visit Chattanooga to see EPB�s successful model in action.�
