WiFi speeds in Tallahassee could soon get a boost. MetroNet is spending $75 million dollars to install fiber optic technology to provide Internet, TV and more in the capital city.
Wednesday, Tallahassee commissioners approved a change that allows fiber attachments to be placed on street lights throughout the city. Mayor John Dailey says MetroNet will be the first company to take advantage of the change.
"First and foremost, we’re extremely thankful that MetroNet has chosen Tallahassee not only to invest in but the first city in the state of Florida to invest in," said Dailey.
John Cinelli is the president of MetroNet. He says his company offers the same technology used in major cities.
"If you’re in Miami, Sol, Korea, New York, Paris, Chicago you’re not going to experience better technology than what’s going to be installed in Tallahassee, Florida," said Cinelli.
Cinelli runs the company along with his 90-year-old dad Al Cinelli. Al says fiber is better than other options.
"When I look from a technical point of view when I look at 5G, you know you’re talking about cycles 5 billion to 6 billion cycles per second that they put information on," explained Cinelli. "Now compare that to fiber, we use light. So instead of 5 or 6 billion, the first red light waves have 430 trillion cycles."
Al says that means larger files can be sent faster. From a business standpoint, John Cinelli says the new project will bring jobs to the area.
"You know when we first start we’re going to have 350 construction jobs. And then we’ll have 40 permanent jobs here customer service, salespeople," said Cinelli.
Construction could take two years. Dailey says once the network is up and running he expects competition to help keep prices low and speeds high.
