Atlantic Broadband, the nation’s 9th largest cable operator, today announced it has partnered with the Maryland Broadband Cooperative, Easton Utilities and the Talbot County Department of Emergency Services in Talbot County, Md. to extend its existing fiber network over 16 miles. This initiative is delivering a new direct (point-to-point) connection between the Talbot County Department of Emergency Services and the county’s enhanced 911 tower, resulting in faster, more accessible and more reliable 911 service for the community.
Atlantic Broadband’s new point-to-point dark fiber installation was completed in less than one month at the request of Talbot County, as part of its initiative to build out its radio system to ensure better reception, connectivity and a wider coverage area. Talbot County covers a large area for first responders and is part of Maryland FIRST (Maryland First Responders Interoperable Radio System Team), which connects its police, firefighters, emergency medical services (EMS), emergency management personnel and other first responders.
“Atlantic Broadband is happy to extend its fiber network and connect the Talbot County 911 tower to the emergency services center through this point-to-point dark fiber deployment,” said Atlantic Broadband’s Maryland/Delaware Vice President and General Manager, Scott Randall. “Due to the tower’s remote location, cross-organizational collaboration was critical, and it could not have been completed without the Maryland Broadband Cooperative and Easton Utilities. We were able to quickly and efficiently solve a problem, and as a result, the county’s emergency services are more accessible to the community.”
“Atlantic Broadband has been an exemplary partner throughout the development of this project,” said the Maryland Broadband Cooperative’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Mitchell. “With a common goal of serving the larger community, we came together to quickly connect the 911 tower and bridge the 16-mile gap in the Bay 100 area. Through our collaboration, we are now delivering direct fiber connectivity to ensure reliable emergency service communications.”
“Because our region was experiencing inconsistent radio reception and a volume of more than 55,000 first responder calls annually, we required a reliable redundant network,” said Talbot County Department of Emergency Services, Acting Director, Brian LeCates. “Being part of Maryland FIRST provides the county with a digital and secure radio system for emergency communications across agencies. Atlantic Broadband and the Maryland Broadband Cooperative have collaborated to quickly complete the installation, and are instrumental in supporting Talbot County and the greater Bay 100 area. The installation’s enhanced services are significant for the county and overall community, and it will have lasting benefits.”
Atlantic Broadband continues to expand its fiber network along the Eastern Shore. Its local office is in Grasonville, Md., providing services to businesses and residential communities since 2004.
About Atlantic Broadband:
Atlantic Broadband, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cogeco Communications Inc. (TSX: CCA), is the 9th largest cable operator in the United States, based on the number of television service customers served. The company currently provides TV, Internet, and Phone services to approximately 246,000 television service customers located in five operating regions: Western Pennsylvania, Miami Beach, Maryland/Delaware, Aiken, S.C., and Eastern Connecticut. Atlantic Broadband is headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts.
To learn more about Atlantic Broadband, please visit www.atlanticbb.com.
Write a Letter to the Editor on this Article
We encourage readers to offer their point of view on this article by submitting the following form. Editing is sometimes necessary and is done at the discretion of the editorial staff.