Joe Wheeler Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) on Friday announced the launch of FlashFiber, a top-notch fiber optic internet project that will soon give residents in Morgan and Lawrence Counties access to the fastest, most reliable internet technology available.
Joe Wheeler EMC is a member-owned electric utility cooperative and a member of the national network of Touchstone Energy Cooperatives.
“This is a very exciting day for the people of this region,” stated George Kitchens, CEO of Joe Wheeler EMC.
“We are building a world-class broadband network that will create life-changing opportunities in health care, education, economic development and much more,” he continued.
This comes after more than 90% of the Joe Wheeler EMC membership who participated in a November 2019 special election voted “yes” to approve the formation of a cooperative-owned and -operated fiber network.
According to a release, the cooperative has been working toward this announcement for several years. Joe Wheeler EMC first conducted a feasibility study in 2017 and have now completed all the engineering and design work.
Construction on the first of three network loops is now set to begin. The project will reportedly take about five years to complete and will involve installing about 3,000 miles of fiber optic cable, but some residents could have access to the high-speed network by early 2021.
Studies show that fiber optic broadband increases property values and improves the quality of life within a community. With bandwidth speeds up to a gigabit per second, fiber will provide better access to health care through telemedicine, more educational opportunities through distance learning, increased opportunities for economic development and, of course, a better video streaming and gaming experience.
Joe Wheeler EMC will provide its members with three package options for receiving its new broadband internet services: 300 megabit per second for $59.95 per month; 1 gigabit per second at $79.95 per month; and 2 gigabit per second for $99.95 per month. All packages include a modem, router and 24/7 technical support.
Members also will have a phone option. With internet, phone will be $29.95 per month, and a phone-only option will be $59.95 per month.
Additionally, every new installation for the respective 1 gig and 2 gig packages will receive a free Amazon Fire TV Stick. Meanwhile, new installations for the 300 Mbps package will receive a free Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite. This offer will continue as long as supplies last, according to the cooperative.
“Broadband is no longer a luxury; it is a vital component of modern life,” Kitchens says. “We have fully embraced fiber for the future of this region, and we know our members are going to love all the benefits fiber has to offer.”
Joe Wheeler EMC is also a member of the Alabama Rural Electric Association of Cooperatives, which in turn is a member of the Alabama Rural Broadband Coalition — a key leader in expanding high-speed, reliable and affordable broadband internet access to all Alabamians.
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
