Even Faster Internet Is Here

I like to use my column to talk about MEC’s latest and greatest, and this month, I have something exciting to share. We've added 5-Gig speed to our internet packages, some of the fastest internet on the market today.

Before we dive in though, let’s address one potential point of confusion. Our 5-Gig internet is not the same as 5G wireless that you have seen from other large providers. They are light-years apart. Pun intended. Our 5-Gig package is 5,000 Mbps (geek speak for extremely fast) delivered over our gold-standard fiber network. 5G wireless refers to the fifth generation of cellphone networks and is the global wireless standard. The average speeds are nowhere near 5-Gig fiber and are entirely dependent on your proximity to a 5G tower and how much cellphone traffic you’re competing with.

For years, I’ve said that geography shouldn’t define a person’s scope of opportunity. Nowhere is that more apparent than with high-speed internet, and demand for data and speed continues to grow at a dizzying pace. And one thing’s for certain: Once you get access to high-speed internet, you find more and more ways to use it.

Remote work, e-learning, and cloud-based, real-time computing all require internet speeds and bandwidth that can handle high demand and simultaneous tasks. Even when we’re not at home, smart devices rely on internet connections to keep our houses running, and I believe advancements in telehealth are just getting started.

Our 5-Gig package includes symmetrical 5-Gbps download and upload speeds, sophisticated parental controls, network security, and a Wi-Fi 6 router. Subscribers also get the free mobile app CommandIQ, which enables you to manage all connected devices, test speeds, and add guest networks. Like with all our packages, there are no data caps or overage fees, and you don’t compete with your neighbors or Mother Nature for service.

This package is built for today’s power users and tomorrow’s data demands. And we’ll keep bringing you the tools you need to keep our communities vibrant, relevant, and sustainable. It’s the co-op way.

We’re not just eliminating the digital divide in rural southern Michigan; we’re obliterating it.