NORTH LIBERTY– South Slope Cooperative Communications will bring fiber optic technology to homes and businesses in the city of Oxford with construction of the network beginning in August. Oxford residents and business owners, within city limits, are encouraged to call South Slope at 319-626-2211 or visit southslopefiber.com to sign up and learn more about fiber internet, phone and television.
The pandemic highlighted the critical importance of fiber connectivity for providing fast and dependable internet service for all. The South Slope fiber network is built to handle the skyrocketing broadband usage stemming from virtual learning, working from home, telehealth, streaming and more. Fast speeds, up to 1 Gig, including high upload speeds are essential for virtual meetings, data back-ups and multiple users.
The expense going into building fiber networks, especially in rural areas, is extremely high and often cost prohibitive. South Slope continually seeks assistance and in 2020 was awarded a grant and loan through the U.S.D.A. ReConnect Program totaling $5.4 million to expand fiber services in rural Oxford.
“At South Slope, we are committed to continually extending our network to help close the gap between those with connectivity and those without,” said Southslope Chief Executive Officer Chuck Deisbeck. “We are excited to bring this essential infrastructure to Oxford, starting now with connecting homes and businesses within city limits followed by expanding to rural Oxford.”
During the fiber installation process, South Slope replaces its current network of copper cables with a network of fiber optic cables, using light instead of electricity to carry a digital data signal.