Wilson is exempt from S1209, but the bill would make it much more difficult for NC cities or towns to build similar networks in the future. As we watch the bill make its way through the legislature, here are some ways that Wilson’s community owned fiber optic network is helping the people of Wilson right now.
Remote training – our firefighters can do non-physical training from their assigned stations instead of driving somewhere else. This keeps our response times among the best in NC.
Surveillance cameras – local businesses had requested cameras in public parking lots. The fiber system cut the costs of such projects by approximately 90%, making them affordable.
Smart Grid/ Smart meters – Our electric distribution system will be using the fiber for smart grid and smart meter technologies that in trials have generated substantial savings on customers electric bills.
Schools – Greenlight is currently constructing a fiber ring linking all County schools together through a network that will offer increased speeds and redundancy to eliminate down times
Hospital/Physicians offices – We are in the process of linking physicians’ offices to the hospital. This will allow on-line transfer of medical files including large bandwidth items such as x-rays. In the future we envision “virtual” doctor’s visits for the homebound.
Free wi-fi to our downtown district, train station, athletic complex, airport and library.
Filed under: Standard | Tagged: cable, greenlight, internet, nc, north carolina, public service, smart meters, wilson |
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It sounds like NC is the place to be with all the savings and people working together to cut the cost of Electric Bills. What type of fiber optics are being used and why are not others cities and states taking this up?