Great RFP Results Extend Monroe Gigabit Project 

Extraordinary RFP Responses from 4 Providers Extend Gigabit Project to Help Organizations Secure Maximum Impacts

(East Stroudsburg, PA) – June 7, 2017 – AcceleratePA, the coalition of organizations devoted to accelerating innovation, technology infrastructure and related JOB creation and workforce training across Pennsylvania announced the Monroe Gigabit Project will be extended through December 31, 2017. The extension gives project and community leaders time to help 44 organizations maximize the benefits and impacts of the four RFP responses from the RFP facilitated by Dellicker Strategies for AcceleratePA. Several project goals are now imminent, (1) to triple the number of organizations using Gigabit internet, (2) reduce broadband prices by 50% or more, (3) get national media attention for Monroe County; and, (4) facilitate private investment of more than $1 million in new broadband infrastructure across Monroe County.

“We are very pleased with the four (4) RFP responses we received through the independent RFP issued by Dellicker Strategies,” said Kelly Lewis, President of Lewis Strategic and Director with AcceleratePA. Lewis added, “With these strong results we have the opportunity to quadruple the number of organizations effectively using Gigabit internet, drop pricing by more than 50%, and facilitate as much as $2 million in new broadband infrastructure investment funded by the private sector with zero government funding. The RFP results from the Gigabit project are going to help Monroe County attract more innovation-driven firms, laboratories and start-up companies. It’s a very big win.”

The four providers with strong RFP results were:

  1. PenTeleData is a regional telecommunications provider based in Palmerton. The oldest cable company in America and long-time provider in Monroe County, they are among the largest private owners of broadband in the nation. The company provided several compelling options for participating organizations.
  2. GoNetspeed is a new telecommunications company based in Rochester, New York. The company was launched by Frank Chiaino, Founder of Fibertech Networks, and Larry Coleman, Former CEO of Sunesys, both billion dollar telecommunications companies. GoNetspeed has provided a remarkable Gigabit option for locations near existing fiber through Monroe County.
  3. NCN Data is a Monroe County telecommunications company based in Stroudsburg. NCN is offering two strong options for participating organizations to consider. NCN Data, LLC also provides fixed wireless internet access, dark and lit fiber services for businesses, residential, municipalities, and educational customers.
  4. Sprint Communications is a national company that offers services in Monroe County. The company is proposing several strong options for DSL and broadband internet access. As of March 2017, Sprint serves 59.7 million connections with leading no-contract brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone.

“In February 2017 forty (40) Monroe County organizations voluntarily responded to our cost survey and combined they reported an average price/Mbps of $24.43 and an average bandwidth of 78 Mbps,” said David Parker, of Lewis Strategic and Director of AcceleratePA. “The four RFP results create a very large price reduction for buyers. Plus, the best-proposed option could lower Mbps pricing by 95% from the current average price Mbps. Working together with the four RFP providers, Monroe County could trigger an immediate, multi-million dollar private-sector investment into Monroe County’s broadband infrastructure. I’m excited to help maximize the RFP results,” added Parker.

Monthly Monroe Gigabit Project meetings are hosted by the Monroe 2030 Action Team, Pocono Mountains Economic Development Corporation, East Stroudsburg University, and the ESU Center for Research and Economic Development.For more information contact David Parker at David@LewisStrategic.com or 570.656.9232.

@AcceleratePA is an implementation team speeding broadband, workforce and innovation initiatives across Pennsylvania. The Broadband Implementation team of Dellicker Strategies, Business Information Group and Lewis Strategic has successfully completed nearly 100 regional broadband projects in Pennsylvania and surrounding states. Since 2003, industry-pioneer Dellicker Strategies has led broadband aggregation projects for schools, intermediate units, hospitals, doctors, corporations, agencies and communities. For additional information visit our website, www.PAaccelerationProject.com, and follow Accelerate Pennsylvania on Twitter @AcceleratePenna and on Facebook @AcceleratePA.

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