CONNECTIONS ARE WONDERFUL THINGS. Even if you are not directly hooked into a source, you can still reap the benefits.
That’s certainly the case for Lynches River Electric’s new broadband internet service, RiverNet Connect. We began installing fiber-optic cable throughout our service territory last year, to fulfill our mission to serve our members the best we can. We believe every one of our community members should have access to the same quality internet as the people living in Charlotte or Columbia. Our goal is to provide world-class internet to every household, on every dirt road that wants it, and we won’t stop until we’ve done just that.
But even if you don’t switch to fiber internet, it still allows your cooperative to better serve you.
The fiber-optic network running throughout our energy delivery system will be the backbone that connects each of our substations. This level of communication with our substations leads to faster response and restoration times, and decreases the occurrences of outages. It will also enhance our control of the system and the reliability of the grid. One of the best things about the fiber-optic network is that it further readies Lynches River for future enhancements, like the ability to isolate outages.
Broadband internet in our communities is also a boost to economic development and the local economy. Corporate entities and industries looking for a new home cite broadband internet as a priority on their checklist of needs. Existing small businesses benefit, as well. A broadband infrastructure allows them to move their commerce online, almost a necessity in today’s economy.
Of course, RiverNet Connect is going to be great for our quality of life. Our neighbors can more easily access telehealth options, like a doctor’s “visit” from home. Our students, when necessary, can fully take advantage of the virtual education options that schools and colleges offer. And, community hot spots in Lancaster, Heath Springs and Pageland allow everyone access to these services.
RiverNet Connect’s fiber-optic internet will bring a new standard of rural broadband to Lancaster, Chesterfield and Kershaw counties. With fiber, data can be sent up to 1,000 times faster than traditional copper and the service can reach Gigabit (1,000 Mbps) speeds. Just like the power that we deliver to you, fiber technology can handle all of your family’s streaming demands. Our fiber network is less susceptible to surges and the speeds don’t decrease based on distance.
We know that many of you are anxious to get connected. We’ve just completed Phase One, in which over 7,000 of our members have the service available to them and over 1,000 have signed up. Thenext areas we will bring service to will be released soon. You can stay up to date by following RiverNet Connect on Facebook.
If you haven’t already, signing up is easy. Just visit RiverNetConnect.com, enter your address and follow the prompts. You can also call us at (843) 675-3200.
Oliver Wendell Holmes once said, “A river is more than an amenity. It is a treasure.” We know that RiverNet Connect is going to be a treasure for your cooperative and community.
President & CEO