Gigabit FTTH comes to La Crosse, WI, via CenturyLink

CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) is marketing 1-Gbps fiber-optic broadband services to residences and small businesses in La Crosse, WI. La Crosse is the second market in Wisconsin to receive the symmetrical fiber to the home (FTTH) service, after Platteville, and the 18th overall where CenturyLink provides some form of gigabit services.

CenturyLink is charging $79.95 monthly for the new service, with a 12-month term commitment and when bundled with additional, qualifying CenturyLink services, including its Prism TV offering. "Some customers," in the words of CenturyLink's announcement, will have the option of selecting 40- or 100-Mbps services. Interested potential customers can visit www.centurylink.com/gigabit to see what is available in their areas.

"In an age where technology is a big part of our daily lives, it's exciting to know our community will have the fastest Internet speeds in the country," said Jim Hill, La Crosse Area Development Corporation. "We hope this investment by CenturyLink helps connect families and businesses, and creates new innovation in our community."

In addition to the two Wisconsin markets, CenturyLink has rolled out its 1-Gbps FTTH services to both residential and small business customers in Columbia and Jefferson City, MO; Denver; Las Vegas, Minneapolis-St. Paul; Omaha; Orlando; Portland, OR; Salt Lake City; and Seattle. Business-only services are available in Albuquerque, NM; Colorado Springs, CO; Phoenix; Sioux Falls, SD; Spokane, WA; and Tucson.

For more information on FTTx systems and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer's Guide.