BY RICHELLE THOMPSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEBANON -- By late fall, about 500 city residents will get to choose whether they want instant Internet connection.
Telecommunications Deputy Director James Baldwin announced Wednesday a deal with local company GO Concepts to provide Internet services through the city's telecommunications network.
The city is laying the fiber optic network now as part of its $5 million telecommunications project that will eventually offer low-priced cable TV and upgrade the city's utilities.
The first section of the city should be ready for service by late fall, Mr. Baldwin said, with all of the 6,400 homes wired by next summer.
Under the deal, GO Concepts will handle installation of the cable modem, technical support and trouble calls, Mr. Baldwin said.
The city will take care of the billing; marketing will be shared. A portion of the profit -- determined by a complicated formula -- goes to the city, Mr. Baldwin said.
For instance, if 1,000 customers sign up for the service, then the city will receive $250,000 from the venture.
The $39.95 per month service will be a direct connection to the Internet network.
It won't use a phone line or require users to dial-up through a regular modem.
That makes this Internet service about 200 times faster than traditional phone-line modems, Mr. Baldwin said.
The city and GO Concepts also will offer dial-in service at $19.95 a month.
To inquire
For information about the high-speed Internet connection, call the city of Lebanon at 932-3060 or GO Concepts at 934-2800. Information also is available on the Web at www.go-concepts.com
