By Kevin Dickens, CEO at Empire Fiber Internet
Reliable, high-speed Internet access is essential for economic growth, education, and online engagement in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. However, many communities in Northeastern Pennsylvania struggle with limited access to affordable broadband options and are often stuck with suboptimal methods such as traditional cable. These factors restrain business and residential users in their ability to fully utilize the modern Internet which has evolved into an essential utility and bedrock of digital business. This leaves rural areas behind their urban counterparts, creating the digital divide. The deployment of fiber optic network infrastructure in these communities has the potential to stimulate economic growth and development while improving bandwidth performance and Internet access for residential users, resulting in substantial benefits on a multitude of levels.
While other Internet technologies exist, fiber is the gold standard. As the CEO of Empire Fiber Internet, a local provider, I understand how these technologies work and affect communities like Bloomsburg. Fiber networks are inherently more reliable and secure than other methods because the cables are installed underground, making them less susceptible to physical damage and weather-induced events. Fiber optic technology is made from glass and transmits data through the network by sending pulses of light which travel at the speed of light, unmatched by any other Internet transport medium. This allows home users to more seamlessly connect to educational resources, streaming services, and online gaming without worrying about buffers and lag time, while businesses can improve their overall efficiency and drive higher levels of customer satisfaction.
Bloomsburg and the surrounding area is receiving major investments in technology through the development of data centers. These secure facilities store and manage Internet data. They support a stronger digital infrastructure by keeping data local, which enhances performance and reliability for nearby users. But how do we get the most out of it? Fiber connects buildings directly to the infrastructure backbone laid out by data centers, which reduces latency (improves Internet speeds), making it the technology of choice.
Fiber optic Internet improves the online experience for residents with significantly faster speeds and better reliability compared to traditional cable and copper facilities. With multi-device functionality, multiple users can simultaneously connect to home Wi-Fi without experiencing significant speed drops, whereas cable Internet users may suffer from lag and connectivity issues during high-usage time. Additionally, if a user needs higher speeds, such as to support work-from-home demands, fiber offers built-in scalability. Speed adjustments are easy to make as needs evolve, thanks to fiber’s ability to accommodate changes without requiring infrastructure upgrades.
While businesses already operating in Northeast Pennsylvania can become more efficient leveraging the superior performance capabilities of fiber, the presence of enhanced performance fiber infrastructure will also attract new businesses. Fiber allows companies to transfer data faster, conduct virtual meetings with quality video, and drive digital business. These are especially relevant for retail, healthcare, manufacturing, professional services, and high-tech businesses, which are major drivers of today’s markets. Fiber can also lead to cost savings for businesses because it is future-proof and scalable, meaning as businesses grow, their Internet needs can be easily met. The impact of stronger and new business ventures can create jobs and increase tax revenue to these communities, stimulating economic growth.
Unlike cable Internet, fiber optic technology provides unparalleled scalability, reliability, security, and speeds. These qualities make fiber the ideal choice for businesses looking to gain a competitive advantage, and for residents who want faster and more consistent services. By embracing the benefits of fiber-based Internet with local providers who strive to bridge the digital divide, Northeastern Pennsylvania can better utilize the full power of the modern Internet.
