NTS, Inc. (NYSE Amex/TASE: NTS), the formerXfone, Inc., says it has begun expansion of its fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network in southern Louisiana. The service provider plans to roll the FTTP network through the communities of Hammond, Ponchatoula, Natalbany, Tickfaw, Independence, and Amite, and pass approximately 11,500 potential FTTP subscribers.
A WiMAX overlay will be used to bring broadband services to towns in the St. Helena, Washington, and Tangipahoa Parishes, NTS adds.
The company’s will use approximately $36.1 million in broadband stimulus grants and loans to fund the FTTP footprint expansion.
“We are very excited to have construction underway on our fiber network in southern Louisiana,” Guy Nissenson, Chairman, President and CEO of NTS commented. “During the past year we have made excellent progress expanding the reach of our FTTP network to underserved communities in Texas and we are pleased to have the opportunity to bring our high speed broadband voice, video, and Internet offerings to similar markets in Louisiana.”
NTS also announced that it has connected its first customers in Wilson and in Meadow, TX. NTS expects the current FTTP extension to reach 19 new communities in Texas and Louisiana, which would bring the company’s total FTTP premises passed to approximately 50,000.
The FTTP network already reaches Lubbock, Levelland, Smyer, Wolfforth, Littlefield, Burkburnett, Brownfield, Whitharral, and Slaton in Texas.
“The rollout of our fiber network to new communities is proceeding on time and under budget and we are excited to have begun adding customers in our newest market, Wilson, TX,” Nissenson asserted. “As we bring our high-speed triple-play offering to new markets, we continue to see strong adoption rates as customers recognize the value and convenience of our high speed bandwidth.”