FairPoint Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRP) says it has begun to offer 1-Gbps Ethernet services to its business, government, and education customers across 32 markets in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
The new symmetrical 1-Gbps data rates apply to FairPoint's Ethernet Private Line and Ethernet Dedicated Internet Access offerings. FairPoint expects the new optical transmission rates to dovetail with federally funded broadband access programs such as E-Rate for schools and libraries and Healthcare Connect for health care providers.
"Being able to connect quickly and confidently between health care providers across the region is mission-critical to enable NETC facilities to provide top quality care through enhanced telemedicine and information sharing," said Jim Rogers, president of ProInfoNet and the founder of the New England Telehealth Consortium (NETC), a three-state consortium of more than 300 health care facilities that is already using the 1-Gbps Ethernet capabilities. "We offer each location speeds up to 1 Gigabit, fostering the connections needed to meet the industry requirements for fast, reliable bandwidth."
FairPoint says its fiber-optic network reaches more than 95% of businesses in northern New England. The regional fiber network includes more than 16,000 miles of fiber and 380 network access points.
For more information on high-speed transmission systems, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.
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