Sep 6 2010
nTelos, wireless communication service provider, is finalizing a contract with Staunton city officials to build a new fiber-optic network across the city. The contract is expected to save approximately $400,000 for city taxpayers.
nTelos has proposed a plan to develop the fiber-optic network that will connect Staunton’s fire stations, schools and other public facilities on a single data network According to Staunton’s Chief Technology Officer, Kurt Plowman, the city has planned to invest $1.5 million for the new fiber-optic project, but the proposal made by nTelos is more cost-effective and came around $1.1 million. nTelos will utilize its own contractors and in-house engineering experience to finish the installation work, Plowman said.
Under the project, the optical cables from the City Hall will be extended to 24 locations across the city. The network will also tie in with the city’s water control systems and traffic signals.
Plowman further added that nTelos will be allowed to utilize the fiber strands in the city’s cable network. The fiber-optic network will help the city to save costs related to vetting vendors, soliciting bids, engineering and controlling a huge installation project.
nTelos’s spokesman, Minnis informed that the additional bandwidth will provide new telecommunications options and will help create more business opportunities for the company.