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WildBlue to Roll Out Satellite Broadband Internet Service First Week of June |
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DENVER, CO, May 20, 2005/Satnews Daily/ ― WildBlue Communications, Inc. announced on Thursday the company's commercial service rollout beginning first week of June.
WildBlue said it will begin introducing its satellite Internet service, providing high-speed Internet connections to homes and small businesses in communities in the continental U.S. not currently served, or underserved, by other high speed providers. WildBlue said its service will be available initially through participating members of the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative (NRTC).
As part of the early rollout of WildBlue, the company has selected NRTC member Bijou Telephone Cooperative (Bijou) to install WildBlue's first customer. Bijou provides telephone and dial-up Internet services to approximately 2500 customers along the I-70 corridor from the East side of Denver to Limon, Colorado.
Tom Moore, CEO of WildBlue, said they’ve completed nationwide beta test. “A whole new world of information and opportunity awaits the estimated 20 million households that do not currently have access to DSL or cable modem Internet service. WildBlue is proud to start offering broadband services to the people of small-town America and the underserved customers in out-of-the-way pockets all across the country,” he said.
The WildBlue service will be rolled out by NRTC members during the month of June, eventually being offered by over 280 rural electric and telephone companies by the end of the month. WildBlue said it plans to add rural consumer electronics and satellite TV dealers across the country over the following few months, and expects to reach national availability of its service by the end of the third quarter 2005.
The company will offer three basic service packages to consumers and small businesses: Value Pack - $49.95 per month for speeds up to 512 kbps; Select Pack - $69.95 per month for speeds up to 1.0 Mbps; and Pro Pack - $79.95 per month for speeds up to 1.5 Mbps. All packages include ISP services including email and web space, the WildBlue Portal, featuring the latest news, information and entertainment, customer care, and an equipment warranty. WildBlue said it will initially offer its equipment package for $299 and professional installation for $179.95. Free installation will be offered by NRTC members as a special rollout promotion.
An always-on broadband Internet connection, WildBlue's wireless service provides 2-way wireless high-speed data in both directions. Customers will not need an additional phone or cable line or the expense of a traditional dial-up ISP in order to receive broadband Internet access. The service is easy to install, and requires no software installation on customers' computers.
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