I’m pleased to share the news…

Gigabit Internet Service Comes to Itasca County
Trout Lake Township First Area of GigaZone Network in Itasca County

(Bemidji, MN) (February 17, 2015) – Gigabit Internet service has come to Itasca County. Paul Bunyan Communications has activated its newly constructed network in the Trout Lake Township making it the first area of the GigaZone in Itasca County.

“The GigaZone provides Internet capabilities unsurpassed by any other rural provider or region in the country. The GigaZone not only provides the capacity to handle current communication technologies quickly and efficiently, it also meets the increasing demands of the next generation of broadband innovations,” said Gary Johnson, Paul Bunyan Communications CEO/General Manager.

“Our cooperative already has the region’s largest all fiber optic network, upgrading it for the GigaZone continues our commitment to keeping our region at the forefront of broadband access.” said Steve Howard, Paul Bunyan Communications IT & Development Manager.

“We started expansion of our communications network into the Trout Lake Township last summer. It is the first area in Itasca County to gain access to our Gigabit network and our additional GigaZone service options. This is only the start. As we continue to upgrade our existing network many more areas will become part of the GigaZone,” added Brian Bissonette, Paul Bunyan Communications Marketing Supervisor.

Most current wireless routers cannot support blazing GigaZone Internet speeds. To help, the cooperative is offering GigaZone Integrated Wi-Fi that uses the latest in advanced Wi-Fi technologies to maximize the in-home wireless experience. This service is free to all new GigaZone customers for the first six months, with a minimal charge thereafter.

GigaZone services are expected to be made available in March in the cooperative’s Park Rapids exchange which also includes the areas of Two Inlets, Dorset, and Emmaville. Additional GigaZone upgrades in 2015 are planned for Lake George, Big Falls, as well as more areas in and around Bemidji, Cohasset, and Grand Rapids. Ultimately the GigaZone will encompass the cooperative’s entire 5,000 square mile service area.

“We know that many of our members will want access to GigaZone services and we will make it available as quickly as we can. It will take us a few construction seasons to get it everywhere we serve but once done it will be one of the largest Gigabit networks in the United States!” said Bissonette.

GigaZone service options including unprecedented Broadband Internet speeds of up to 1000 Mbps – a Gigabit. Members who subscribe to GigaZone Broadband can also add PBTV Fusion and/or low cost unlimited local and long distance GigaZone voice service. All current service options also remain available to cooperative members within the GigaZone.

Paul Bunyan Communications has the region’s largest and fastest all fiber optic network with over 5,000 square miles throughout most of Beltrami County and portions of Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching, and St. Louis Counties. The Cooperative provides Broadband High Speed Internet Services, digital and high definition television services, Smart Home services, digital voice services, and more.
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