Cambria County residents and businesses waiting to connect to the county’s new high-speed, wireless telecommunications system now can be connected through private providers, the commissioners said Friday.
“The core network is completed,” President Commissioner P.J. Stevens announced.
The ring of 18 towers now is finished with the one in Carrolltown in place, he said. In addition, the second connection to the fiber system – redundancy for security purposes – is linked to the Internet, he said.
The state-of-the-art telecommunications system includes voice and video streaming. Wi-Fi hot spots soon will be set up at locations throughout the county, officials say.
Most of the $10 million project involved upgrading Cambria’s 911 system to high-frequency service.
The cost is $7.5 million for the 911 improvements and $2.5 million for the commercial Internet services, Stevens said Friday.
Consumers can choose a provider for access to the services, officials said. Currently, three companies are selling the service to businesses and residents, with a fourth likely to be added.
The providers will be paying fees to the county as an authorized service provider.
Previously, the commissioners estimated that the system would produce about $1.1 million – the equivalent of what one mill of the property tax brings in – for county coffers each year.
The commissioners said the county’s service is faster and cheaper than what has been available to local residents. In addition, it’s bringing services to many areas of the county that could not previously obtain it, they said.
“It has four times the speed, plus security. That’s why we look at this for economic development,” Stevens said.
Brian Shrift, president of Precision Business Solutions who attended the meeting, said he already has a dozen customers online and others – who have been waiting for the service – in the wings.
“It’s fabulous,” he said.
Providers
Three companies now are providing Internet service through Cambria County’s new high-speed, wireless telecommunications system:
• ComConn, a division of Precision Business Solutions of Ebensburg.
• Digital Razor, 439 Main St., Johnstown.
• In the Stix Broadband of Loretto.
Local News
Cambria County wireless network in place
- Local News
-
-
Proposed bill would expand use of traffic-light cameras
Some call it the hand of “big brother,” others are convinced cameras at signal lights would be effective in curbing red-light runners and ultimately saving lives.
-
Minister's trial date set
An issue has been resolved over the report from an examination of a girl allegedly taken by her mother to a Bedford motel to have sex with a traveling minister, clearing the way for a trial.
-
AP: Almost half of new veterans seek disability
America’s newest veterans are filing for disability benefits at a historic rate, claiming to be the most medically and mentally troubled generation of former troops the nation has ever seen.
-
Geistown beginning crime watch program
Residents will patrol Geistown streets in the coming weeks as part of a community watch program.
-
Persons of the Week: Nanty Glo vets will remember fallen comrades
Michael Kurtz, Tom Kasecky and Steve Kasecky will be among members of the Loy A. Douglass Post 3489 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Nanty Glo who will be honoring fallen veterans today, Memorial Day.
-
AG candidates face potential conflicts of interest
Both candidates for Pennsylvania attorney general have family ties that could pose a conflict of interest for the one who is elected as the state’s next chief legal officer.
-
Lawmakers: Capitol rallies unpersuasive
Nancy Richey stepped to the podium with a microphone at the Capitol rotunda with the hope that the right people would hear her message.
-
Richland closer to new chief
The search for Richland’s next police chief is winding down.
-
In brief: Thunderstorm downs trees, knocks out power
A late Sunday afternoon thunderstorm brought high winds, hard rain and hail to the Cambria-Somerset region.
- District Deaths May 28, 2012
- More Local News Headlines
-
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
