Windstream Announces Major Upgrade in North Ga.

DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Windstream today announced that it has completed a major upgrade of its cable TV network in Dahlonega, delivering up to 100-mega-bits per second (Mbps) internet speeds to about 6,400 homes and businesses.

The announcement came at a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Windstream office in Dahlonega that was attended by State Sen. Steve Gooch and Lumpkin County Commission Chairman Chris Dockery.

Jarrod Berkshire, president of operations in Georgia for Windstream, said, “I’m proud to announce we’re going to be able to offer ups 100Mbps to over 6,400 homes in Dahlonega and 67,000 across all of north Georgia. Business used to be brick and mortar. Today, it’s beyond that. You have to have connectivity to the rest of the world. This is a great day for Windstream and it’s a great day for our community.”

Citizens in Dahlonega whose homes or businesses are passed by Windstream’s cable TV network are eligible for 100Mbps service. To inquire about service, call 877-894-6391 or visit the Windstream retail store at 340 Walmart Way in Dahlonega.

Gooch who has worked on bringing broadband internet to rural areas of Georgia for several years said, “This is an issue that has been near and dear to my heart for several years. The internet system is somewhat like the interstate system in America that was created in the ‘50s. That was the thing that really connected America. Today the superhighway is no longer the interstate system. It’s the internet. People like Amazon are coming to Georgia to create thousands and thousands of jobs.”

Gooch said there are bills pending in Atlanta that will help incentivize companies like Windstream, AT&T, Verizon, Comcast and Charter to partner with Lumpkin County and all these development authorities to bring good internet to our communities.

Dockery called today’s announcement a “big step forward.” He added that the Association County Commissioners of Georgia has identified the internet as the No. 1 priority for the upcoming legislative session. “I commend Sen. Gooch for all the time and work he has put into trying to find solutions to the internet issue and Windstream for their commitment to our community.”

The upgrade plan that was announce late last year will provide 100Mbps service to more than 67,000 locations in 13 counties, including Dawsonville, Helen and Cleveland.

 

 

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com