3888 Stillwell Beckett Rd Oxford, OH 45056
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Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, Cincinnati Bell partner on high-speed Internet project
February 24, 2020
Butler Rural Electric Cooperative and Cincinnati Bell are pleased to announce a new partnership through which Cincinnati Bell will expand its fiber network and begin delivering high-speed Fioptics Internet to parts of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s electric service territory this year.
Cincinnati Bell Inc. (NYSE: CBB) is a telecommunications service provider headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cincinnati Bell delivers integrated communications solutions to residential and business customers over its fiber-optic and copper networks including high-speed internet, video, voice and data. Cincinnati Bell provides service in areas of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Hawaii. In addition, enterprise customers across the United States and Canada rely on CBTS and OnX, wholly-owned subsidiaries, for efficient, scalable office communications systems and end-to-end IT solutions.
Cincinnati Bell has already launched Phase 1 of the partnership, which will make Fioptics Internet available to more than 2,000 additional Butler Rural Electric Cooperative members over the next 16 months. Cincinnati Bell and Butler Rural Electric Cooperative will notify members as addresses become eligible for Fioptics Internet. Cincinnati Bell and Butler Rural Electric Cooperative are evaluating additional business and residential addresses for future phases of the partnership.
Cincinnati Bell will also provide fiber-based services to Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s substations and other equipment to enhance reliability.
“Cincinnati Bell has been connecting businesses and customers for more than 145 years, and our innovative partnership with Butler Rural Electric Cooperative continues this tradition,” said Jason Praeter, President of Cincinnati Bell’s Entertainment & Communications business. “We are proud to be working with Butler Rural Electric Cooperative on this important initiative that will support economic development opportunities for businesses, and improve connectivity for residents.”
The partnership continues Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s commitment to bring high-speed Internet access to underserved areas of its service territory, and aligns with the State of Ohio’s goal to expand broadband Internet access in underserved areas of the state. Broadband Internet plays a critical role in driving economic development opportunities, bridging the digital divide, and supporting the public sector’s commitment to more efficient government.
“Partnering with Cincinnati Bell to bring high-speed fiber-based Internet to our members fulfills the cooperative’s mission of improving the quality of life in our communities and enhancing our electric reliability,” said Michael L. Sims, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s General Manager. “We are excited to be working with a local broadband provider. We know Cincinnati Bell is a committed partner in helping to bring fiber not only to our substations, but to our members and surrounding communities as well. The telecommunications industry is fast-changing, but we will continue to work with Cincinnati Bell until the cooperative’s members have access to fiber-based Internet service.”
For more information, please click here.
How do I know if my home or business will have access to Fioptics Internet as part of this phase of the partnership?
If you’d like to check if your address is included in this phase of the partnership, please click here to submit your address and contact information. A Cincinnati Bell representative will get back to you shortly. If you experience any issues with the form or do not receive a timely response, please email your name & address to communitysolutions@cinbell.com for assistance.
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About Cincinnati Bell Inc.
With headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio, Cincinnati Bell Inc. (NYSE: CBB) delivers integrated communications solutions to residential and business customers over its fiber-optic and copper networks including high-speed internet, video, voice and data. Cincinnati Bell provides service in areas of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Hawaii. In addition, enterprise customers across the United States and Canada rely on CBTS and OnX, wholly-owned subsidiaries, for efficient, scalable office communications systems and end-to-end IT solutions.
For more information, please visit www.cincinnatibell.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fiber Internet Project Background
Over the last several years, we have increasingly recognized the significant issues with the lack of acceptable high-speed Internet access in our area.
Our members and communities could be left behind. Insufficient internet speeds in our area can cause businesses to struggle or leave town, declining home values and stalled economic development. Young people’s education is jeopardized, and students move away for college and never move back. Senior citizens may not be able to stay in their homes without access to telemedicine. Endless aspects of life could be impacted; and our members began asking— and in some cases, begging—us for help.
Our current five-year construction work plan included installing fiber internet to all 16 of our substations for operational purposes. While development for this project began, we started looking for synergies that might be available to facilitate the expansion of fiber internet to members’ homes and businesses.
In early 2018, we met with local internet providers to explore their options for installing fiber internet service to the 16 substations. After initial meetings, it was confirmed that local broadband provider, Cincinnati Bell, could be a great partner in helping to bring fiber not only to the substations, but to our members and surrounding communities as well.
As it stands today, we estimate that over half of our members (approximately 6,000) lack access to adequate broadband internet service. Beyond these 6,000 homes and businesses, there are other friends, neighbors, family members, and local businesses throughout our community that are also struggling due to the digital divide.
We are committed to our mission of improving the quality of life for our members and community. We will continue to work to ensure that all members have access to acceptable high-speed internet.