In the last two weeks, a cable company offering high-speed Internet access has signed on 500 new customers in Naperville, the beginning of what city officials hope will become more options for such access.
City officials said they were pleased with the launch because for years they have been lobbying for companies to provide high-speed connection to residents.
Because of infrastructure problems with Ameritech, most of the city cannot tap into DSL service to get faster Internet service at a reasonable cost. Some companies have offered wireless service, but usually that was limited to certain parts of town, city officials said.
“This becomes a real benefit to the residents because it encompasses the whole city,” said Gary Karafiat, spokesman for Naperville.
WideOpenWest, which offers cable service to Naperville, is rolling out a high-speed Internet service via the cable lines.
Last year the company bought Ameritech New Media’s Americast cable system. WOW has always planned to use the cable system to provide the Internet, said Julia McGrath, senior vice president for the company.
Headquartered in Castle Rock, Colo., the company provides service to 21 Chicago-area communities, including Glen Ellyn, Mt. Prospect, Arlington Heights and Hammond, Ind.
“Basically what we do is come into the home, connect to a cable modem that hooks directly into your computer,” she said.
McGrath said customers can use the Internet while watching cable television. In addition, residents who want more than one home computer to have Internet access have the option of networking, she said.
McGrath said the company has received 4,000 responses from interested Naperville residents since launching the service two weeks ago.
In December, the company began a test phase in the city to gain feedback.
Karafiat said he was pleased WOW has launched its service because of the effect it will have on other companies. He said AT&T Broadband has announced upgrades to its cable system to provide the Internet.
Another wireless company hopes to start service in the spring, and Karafiat hopes even more companies will join them.
“When one gets out, the competition will want to follow through,” Karafiat said.
