TDS Telecommunications LLC says it will deploy fiber to the premises (FTTP) infrastructure in Helena, MT. The announcement came shortly after the broadband services provider signed a franchise agreement with the city, the second market in the state TDS will service via FTTP after Billings.
Work on the FTTP network will begin later this year and aim to connect nearly 20,000 homes and businesses. TDS plans to offer internet access up to 2 Gbps, the company’s TDS TV+ all-digital TV service, and several voice options for residential and business customers.
“We are thrilled to announce we are expanding our fiber network into another great city in Montana,” says Andrew Petersen, TDS senior vice president of corporate affairs. “Fiber networks are in high demand, and we are excited to bring our reliable technology to Helena and to provide residents the latest tools to upgrade their home for the future.”
“We appreciate the opportunity to work with TDS on a franchise agreement to offer their services here,” commented Helena Mayor Wilmot Collins. “It is important that the city partners to provide residents access to new broadband services as opportunities are presented that make sense. I think this agreement will be a benefit to Helena.”
The Helena FTTP deployment will be slightly smaller than in Billings. TDS announced last August that it hopes to pass more than 50,000 homes and businesses across Billings with FTTP.
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Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
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