Work slated for completion in time for car show

By Jane Myhra

High speed fiber internet will soon be a reality in the village of Iola.

The Amherst Telephone Company is extending its current Fiber Optic Network to the Iola Car Show grounds.

“After several meetings to understand the needs and the options for increasing the internet speed, Amherst Telephone Company has reached an agreement with the Iola Car Show to provide High Speed Fiber Internet to the Car Show grounds this year,” said Richard Letto, general manager of the Amherst Telephone Company. “The fiber optic construction has started and we are working with our contractors to have the service up and running in time for the Iola Car Show in July.”

“The need for higher internet speed continues to grow, as does the Iola Car Show,” he said.

“Working with Amherst Telephone Company to help solve our internet issues for the Iola Car Show has been wonderful,” said Joe Opperman, ICS public relations and marketing director. “They have been easy to reach, professional and efficient. Since they committed to getting fiber to our grounds, I’ve been very impressed by how quickly they have moved.”

The fiber optic pipes are being installed by AJ Construction, of Rosholt.

“We put everything in place as far as the main line fiber and placing all the pipes for service,” said Jason Loehrke, operator for AJ Construction.

“Many others businesses and residents have inquired about our high speed fiber internet service and as the desire for higher speed internet in Iola continues we will assess the potential of expanding our services,” Letto said. “There are a lot of costs involved in constructing a fiber optic network that is capable of providing cutting edge services, however, as interest and needs are brought forward, Amherst Telephone Company is open to responding to meet those needs where fiscally possible.”

“We are dropping individual pipes so residents on the route can access fiber services,” Loehrke said.

Anyone along the route wishing to access the service should call the Amherst Telephone Company.

According to Loehrke, the fiber optic lines run along Iola, Jackson and Division streets. The lines will run along Meadow Drive to reach the ICS grounds.

“When a lot of people think commerce at the Car Show, they visualize the person-to-person exchanges in the swap area. While that certainly remains prominent, there is also more and more online commerce, research and sharing going on during the show that requires greater bandwidth. The fiber Amherst is laying should go a long way to help provide for this now and into the future. It’s a huge improvement for the Car Show and venue at large.”