City of Greensboro To Launch Telecommunications Network

Greensboro, a small city in the heart of Alabama's black belt, is about to launch it's own telecommunications network organized by Rep. Bobby Singleton. The network will provide digital cable, high-speed Internet access, and local and long-distance phone services. Optelica Communications will build and operate the network. William Dykes, vice-president for sales and marketing for Optelica Communications, says the system will work by carrying optical fibers to residences using existing telephone and utility poles. Individual fibers will then be routed to individual homes, so each home has a separate fiber. Although other cites around Alabama have the same service, Greensboro will be the first city to own and fully operate its own telecom network.

The cost for these services will be as much as 16 percent below competitor's rates. The city of Greensboro hopes this new endeavor will create jobs and move the city forward to prosperity. The city also hopes to include distance-learning agreements with Alabama universities.

Installing the new system will be costly for the city. Although the city will spend 5 million dollars, they hope to lure new business to the city and add 1.5 million to the city's coffers. Ninety percent of Greensboro residents have cable in their homes. Rep. Bobby Singleton states, "We have $7.5 million leaving our community each year, in telephone and cable bills. All we're getting back now is a $5,000 a-year cable franchise fee. If we can keep a portion of that money in the community, we can use it to maintain and even improve city services without raising taxes." The Greensboro Telecommunications Utility will operate the network. Its members are appointed by the City Council.

Greensboro's mayor, John E. Owen, believes the city isn't taking a big risk on the new utility. "There are hundreds of cities I'm sure that wished they had this opportunity," Owens said.
Once the network begins operating, several new jobs will be created. Officials are unable to say at this time how many permanent positions will be available. Addition to attracting businesses and building the city's budget, the telecommunications plan is also educational. The network will enable teacher's access to online lesson plans, students to homework assignments, and teacher/students-developed Web sites.

In addition to Microsoft and Cisco training to buying customers, customers will also get low cost high-speed Internet services. Customers will be able to purchase different option packages, although no prices have been set.

Rep. Singleton hopes that once the network has been tried and tested, the model can be taken to other Black Belt counties.