More cities nationwide are making efforts to provide businesses and residents faster Internet speeds. The City of Hudson is no exception and is expected to be one of the first "Gigabit" cities in the Midwest.
HUDSON, Ohio - The City of Hudson announced Wednesday plans to become among the first gigabit cities in Ohio. With Internet speeds exponentially faster and more reliable than standard cable, the city is making the investment in hopes of attracting and retaining businesses.
In a web-centric, data-centric world where companies need to move data in order to compete locally and globally, more cities nationwide are making efforts to provide businesses and residents faster connection and working speeds.
Some are laying infrastructure and letting companies such as Windstream or Time Warner run it. Hudson is taking a different approach.
The service will be owned and operated by the city - and it's expected to be operational by September.
Hudson spokeswoman Jody Roberts said the new fiberoptic VeloCity Broadband will benefit business and later residents with faster downloads with up to a gigabit of speeds.
"That's up to 100 times faster than the copper cable Internet available in Hudson and most cities today," Roberts said. "And it makes Hudson one of the first 'Gigabit' cities in the Midwest."
Earlier this year, the City Council there approved an initial $800,000 in capital costs to start laying the infrastructure. They're seeking additional approval of about $1.5 million next year from the general fund to finalize capital needed for infrastructure. While they're not releasing costs for the service, Roberts said it's expected to be competitive.
"Our fees will be as low, or in most cases much lower than what companies are currently paying," Roberts said. "And they will be getting more reliable service at speeds that are hundreds of times faster than any speeds offered by other providers in Hudson today."
Lindsay Shanahan, executive director of Connect Ohio, applauds the city's efforts. Connect Ohio is a state subsidiary of Connected Nation - a national nonprofit aimed at changing lives through technology, with a focus on access and adoption of broadband.
Shanahan said the continual expansion of gigabit connectivity in Ohio is encouraging.
"The expansion of gigabit connectivity is a new speed to be seen throughout Ohio," she said. "Right now about 6.8 percent of Ohio households have access to gigabit activity.
"Research has shown and we have seen that it can serve as a strong tool for economic development, as well as attracting and retaining a talented workforce in the area," she said.
Cleveland has several initiatives under way for increased bandwidth utility, including the 100 gig connection between Playhouse Square and University Circle. Throughout Northeast Ohio other developments for increased connectivity are under way, as well.