GigaZone A Go; Gigabit Internet Service Comes to Northern Minnesota

Gigabit Internet service has come to northern Minnesota. Paul Bunyan Communications announced it has activated the first area of the GigaZone.

"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.

The area of Bemidji that saw GigaZone construction in 2014 has been activated and can now receive GigaZone services. The first GigaZone customer was Mike Beard in Bemidji who had services installed January 22.

"Like a lot of people, I find our house using the Internet on a lot more devices than ever before so when I heard about the GigaZone I knew I had to get it. I want to be able to watch movies and TV shows online without everyone else in the house slowing me down!" laughed Beard. "I was not a member of Paul Bunyan until now because I didn't want a landline but in the GigaZone you don't have to have one. I was able to choose what I wanted so I added GigaZone Integrated Wi-Fi which will provide the fastest speeds Wi-Fi can offer and I won't have to worry about buying and setting up my own Wi-Fi router or replacing it if it breaks. I also added PBTV Lite, even though I plan to use Amazon Prime I want to be able to watch new episodes of my favorite shows." (PBTV Lite is one of many TV service options available)

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 Trout Lake Township east of Grand Rapids in February and in March in the cooperative's Park Rapids exchange which also includes areas in Lake George, Two Inlets, Dorset, and Emmaville. Additional upgrades are planned in and around Bemidji and Grand Rapids in 2015. 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!" added Brian Bissonette, Paul Bunyan Communications Marketing Supervisor.

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.

Additional information: http://www.paulbunyan.net/gigazone/