FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: John Brooks
Telephone: (812) 231-7050
Email: John.brooks@joinkllc.com
Shifting the Trend in Broadband Internet Usage
Broadband Internet access grows in rural areas - local players
like Joink fueling the trend; broadband comes to Dugger.
Dugger, IN - October 11, 2004 - Use of the Internet is growing in rural America, but it still lags behind the usage of users in urban and suburban markets. That's the trend according to research conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, a non-profit organization that examines the impact of the Internet on families, communities and daily life. Companies like Terre Haute-based Joink, LLC. are working to reverse that trend by making quality, broadband internet usage available across the region. Today, the company announced newly expanded service for residents in Dugger, Indiana.
According to the Pew research, between 2000 and 2003, the number of rural Internet users grew from 41% to 52% of the population. That's impressive growth, but the overall numbers for rural users still average about 10% less than for those who live in more populated regions.
"We think the trend in the Pew research has more to do with rural residents not having adequate access to quality broadband solutions than it does to a lack of desire for broadband," says John Brooks, Joink General Manager. "We know people in the Wabash Valley want broadband Internet access, because we hear about it every day. As we continue to build out our fixed-wireless broadband network, we are proud to be the company that is delivering a service people really want."
Wireless Internet access is one of the innovative approaches being used to bring broadband to rural America. Often phone or cable companies are shunning rural communities claiming the costs to roll out broadband services are prohibitive. Because wireless Internet doesn't require expensive cables to be buried in the ground, it provides a more cost-effective means for smaller, local companies such as Joink to provide affordable broadband to rural markets that might otherwise be excluded. Rolling out wireless broadband still requires a significant investment, but as costs continue to decline, it's possible to stretch coverage to smaller and smaller communities.
Having high-speed access available in a town or community benefits businesses and enables a new generation of work-from-home opportunities. People employed in professional fields including medical transcription and legal research can now perform their jobs from home. As more and more industries embrace Internet communication and business tools, such access will continue to allow more flexible work environments. Growth in this area could potentially provide relief for two-income families juggling schedules and stretching to pay for expensive day-care.
Joink and the citizens of Dugger owe a special thanks to Rich Smith and the crew at Northside Machine Company for helping to bring broadband to Dugger by providing funding and a location for the wireless tower. Dugger is just the latest city in the area to receive Joink Wireless broadband service, a service already available in other local towns including: Linton, Sullivan, Jasonville and Hymera. Joink has been aggressively growing its business the past few months through new towers and acquisitions, and the company has been enhancing its service and support systems by increasing customer support and installation staffs by more than 50%. That means that customers can expect quick turn-around times on installation of their new high-speed service
|
