WABASH VALLEY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Josh Zuerner, President and CEO of Joink said it’s a great time to do business in Indiana. “The state does a good job administering these programs and we are applying to and utilizing these programs to deploy broadband in these rural communities.”
Joink’s mission is to extend broadband access.
“We (Joink) are on a mission to extend gigabyte services and the technology that we’re deploying is actually capable of speeds in excess of gigabit symmetrical all the way to the home,” Zuerner said.
One of those rural communities that is benefitting from the program is Farmersburg. Jerry Baker, President of the Farmersburg Town Council said Joink came to the town last spring with the plan.
“We’ve got the approval from the state, we’re going to wire the entire town.”
Joink went to work. Baker said it was a rather seamless process and that Joink is finalizing their work and then will start selling the service and connecting residents.
Baker was thrilled about this opportunity, “I think it’s fantastic, for the town. It’ll help the local businesses, provide better access for everybody.”
Zuerner said there are several benefits to the underground fiber. That was evident during derecho storms that caused extensive damage in the Wabash Valley in June.
“Our network was up, and we weren’t out trying to do repair work when the other crews were working to restore service,” Zuerner said.
Joink continues the underground work to bring fiber optics using the best and most appropriate technology.
“We’re hoping that this local investment that we’re making as a local company is providing high-quality broadband for 30, 40, 50 years from now,” Zuerner said.
If you are interested in Joink’s service you can express your interest through their website. At times, in order to make the economics work for a fiber optic build, Joink needs a certain percentage of residents in an area to sign-up or pre-register for service. That’s when joink utilizes community champions to help advocate for their neighborhood’s project and accelerate the build. For more information on becoming a community champion click here.
