For Immediate Release Lakeland Communications Named Certified Gig-Capable Provider by NTCA Rural Broadband Association
Arlington, Va., March 6, 2017 – Lakeland Communications was today recognized by NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, the premier association representing nearly 900 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovation in rural and small-town America, as a Certified Gig-Capable Provider for delivering gigabit broadband speeds and enabling technological innovation in its communities.
As a Certified Gig-Capable Provider, Lakeland Communications joins a national campaign to build awareness and industry recognition of community-based telecom providers that have built communications networks capable of delivering Internet speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second, which is 100 times faster than those currently available in many U.S. households. Lakeland Communications also received tools to promote itself as a Gig-Capable Provider in its communities and will be recognized in NTCA media, on the NTCA website, and during association conferences and events.
“I applaud Lakeland Communications for its commitment to delivering the Internet’s fastest speeds—an accomplishment worthy of much praise considering the unique and challenging circumstances small, community-based telecommunications providers operate under every day in serving some of our country’s most rural and remote communities,” said NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield. “By building a gigabit-capable network, Lakeland Communications has not only overcome these challenges, but also shattered conventional benchmarks for broadband speed to enable cutting-edge technologies that drive innovation and promote economic development in their communities, region and nationwide.”
To achieve certification, telecommunications companies must show that gigabit technology is currently commercially available within 95% of one or more exchanges within its serving territory and that such service can be provided without new trenching or stringing new aerial facilities. This statement must be confirmed by a letter from an engineering firm or other independent source involved in the company’s network planning, deployment or operation.
More information about the NTCA Gig-Capable Provider certification program is available at www.ntca.org/gigcertified.
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About Lakeland Communications Lakeland Communications is a local communications company serving customers in Frederic, Luck, Cushing Milltown, Fox Creek, Balsam Lake, Centuria, St. Croix Falls, Dresser, and Osceola with Broadband Internet, Voice and Video services. Lakeland a local provider has been serving its customers telecommunications needs since 1908. Lakeland has invested greatly in the communities it serves to bring the best in communication services now with fiber connectivity in some areas. www.lakeland.ws
About NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing nearly 900 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovation in rural and small-town America. NTCA advocates on behalf of its members in the legislative and regulatory arenas, and it provides training and development; publications and industry events; and an array of employee benefit programs. In an era of exploding technology, deregulation and marketplace competition, NTCA’s members are leading the IP evolution for rural consumers, delivering technologies that make rural communities vibrant places in which to live and do business. Because of their efforts, rural America is fertile ground for innovation in economic development and commerce, education, health care, government services, security and smart energy use. Visit us at www.ntca.org.
