FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2010
Contact: Fred Pilot
fpilot@caminofiber.net
Geoff Brim
geoff@caminofiber.net
Quality of service a key motivator for considering community cooperative alternative
Initial responses to the Camino Fiber Network Cooperative’s El Dorado County telecommunications service survey show most respondents are “extremely dissatisfied” with their current services.
The Camino Fiber Network Cooperative (CFNC), a recently formed telecommunications cooperative, is conducting the survey to gain a better understanding of local telecom services and needs in support of its mission to provide advanced, Internet protocol-based telecommunications services utilizing fiber optic to the premises (FTTP) telecommunications infrastructure in central El Dorado County.
The survey is being conducted online and is available at the CFNC Web site (http://www.caminofiber.net) by clicking on “CFNC Broadband Survey.” Eighty six percent of 53 survey respondents indicated quality of service as the main reason they would purchase services from CFNC if offered. A majority of respondents expressed interest in purchasing a package of services including Internet access, voice and video services.
“The early survey data while limited nevertheless suggest El Dorado County residents and small business owners want better options for their telecommunications needs,” said CFNC President Fred Pilot. “The Camino Fiber Network Cooperative offers a much needed alternative business model to address this vital infrastructure issue,” Pilot added.
CFNC’s review of California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) data found 11 El Dorado County census tracts encompassing Placerville and surrounding communities comprising more than 23,000 premises are underserved for broadband Internet access under CPUC and federal guidelines. Broadband access falls sharply beyond Placerville city limits with unincorporated areas of the county continuing to lack adequate access.
According to the Federal Communications Commission, seven million U.S. homes are located outside cable company footprints or unable to subscribe to DSL due to distance limitations. Fifty-nine respondents to the CFNC survey indicated they have attempted to order cable or DSL but found the services were unavailable at their location.
CFNC representatives will be on hand at the annual Camino Clean Up Day sponsored by the Camino Community Action Network on Saturday, May 15. Local residents will be able to complete the survey at the event.
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