MaxxSouth Broadband Launches Regional Sports Network in Mississippi, Fiber-to-the-Home 1 Gig Internet Service in Starkville
STARKVILLE, Miss., April 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- MaxxSouth Broadband, the TV, Internet and phone provider for 60 communities in Mississippi, announced today the launch of a first-of-its-kind regional sports network and also the deployment of an advanced fiber-to-the-home 1 Gig Internet service for its customers in Starkville, Mississippi.
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"The Governor and I are extremely proud of the investment that's been made here today in this community," said Joey Songy, policy advisor and counsel to Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant.
Community leaders and government officials joined with MaxxSouth Broadband corporate officers to speak about the new initiatives during a press conference Monday at the company's new retail center in Starkville.
"We are grateful to MaxxSouth for not only creating the jobs and the sports network but also for making itself right at home in this community," Mississippi State Senator Gary Jackson said. "They are keeping this community as one of the high-tech centers of the South."
MaxxSouth Sports will broadcast to MaxxSouth's 44,600 cable customers and will feature high school and community college athletic events, as well as games from community sports leagues.
"The creation of MaxxSouth Sports shows our commitment to the communities of central and northern Mississippi," said Peter Kahelin, MaxxSouth Broadband's President and CEO. "MaxxSouth Sports will allow local sports to take center stage."
The channel already has an aggressive lineup that will include full coverage of at least eight games per week. The network's production units will deliver full, high-definition picture quality and live transmission—an unprecedented endeavor for a local cable provider.
"This important sports network would not be possible without the help of the area's school districts, coaches and athletic directors," Kahelin said. "It's an incredible accomplishment to be able to showcase student athletes from across MaxxSouth's expansive service territory."
A companion website, www.MaxxSouthSports.com, will also allow on-demand access to scores, video clips and athlete interviews.
"I applaud this MaxxSouth initiative," State Representative Tyrone Ellis said. "As a father, I can imagine how proud our Mississippi families will be to see their sons and daughters take center stage on MaxxSouth Sports."
The press conference also served as a platform to announce the upcoming completion of a state-of-the-art data network in Starkville that replaces outdated transmission wires with a fiber-optic connection made directly to the home, providing customers with Internet speeds up to 1 Gig.
"The investment in our community is tremendous and it will do wonders for our citizens," Starkville Mayor Parker Wiseman said about the new 1 Gig service. "Thank you to MaxxSouth for the risk you have been willing to take on us."
The new fiber-to-the-home network provides more bandwidth and the capacity for advanced video, Internet and phone services. The network is expected to come online within the next few weeks.
"Our fiber-optic infrastructure in Starkville is also what we call 'future proof,'" explained Rick Ferrall, Regional General Manager for MaxxSouth Broadband. "Upgrades and improvements can be implemented on the system without changing the actual fiber wires."
Starkville marks the second city where MaxxSouth now operates a fiber-optic network. Last year, a fiber-to-the-home network launched in Carthage, Mississippi—a first for all of Leake County.
"We are one of just a handful of companies across the country that are providing customers with 1 Gig service at affordable pricing," Kahelin said. "Homes and businesses will all benefit from MaxxSouth's investment to increase Internet speeds and provide a more reliable network."
During the press conference, members of the media experienced MaxxSouth's new retail center in Starkville. The retail center is the first of about a dozen new centers opening this year throughout MaxxSouth's operation area.
In addition, the company announced plans to establish a 24/7 technical support team in Mississippi—part of an initiative to have all customer service completed on the local level.
About MaxxSouth Broadband:
In November 2014, MaxxSouth Broadband acquired the group of cable systems formerly serviced by MetroCast Mississippi. MaxxSouth's service area for video, high-speed Internet and digital phone stretches more than 200 miles and encompasses the academic communities of Oxford (University of Mississippi) and Starkville (Mississippi State University). MaxxSouth is a subsidiary of the reputable and diversified media holding company Block Communications Inc. www.maxxsouth.com
Media Contact:
Ivelisse Cruz
MaxxSouth Broadband
435-216-9420
SOURCE MaxxSouth Broadband
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