WATER BOARD TO RECEIVE HIGH SPEED INTERNET PROPOSAL

February 10, 2020

In addition to its regular business on Monday, February 10, the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District Board heard a presentation from resident Steve Priessman, WiFiber Corporation President Michael Johns, and UnitiFiber Account Manager Camille Whiddon. 

Priessman presented the board with a short video articulating the need for reliable, consistent, wireless broadband internet service.  Dennis Gill and Stanley Bair spoke to businesses’ credit card processing, ordering, and account keeping needs; Molly Jubitz spoke to health, safety, and educational needs; Vice-Mayor Sue Colson spoke to general welfare and tourism needs.

Priessman pointed out that throughout Florida, the average internet connection speed is 64.7 megabits per second; Cedar Key’s is a mere 3.52 mbps, incredibly slow.  He furthered that Cedar Key being an island is not a rationale for slow internet speed; he cited seven islands around the state ranging from Islamorada’s 208.25mbps to Big Pine Key’s 58.77 mbps.  Priessman shared his research regarding the importance of high-speed internet service as it relates to aquaculture and the Department of Homeland Security.

Priessman introduced WiFiber Corporation President Michael Johns who briefly introduced his company, in Levy since 2003, owned and operated by Johns since 005, providing wireless for residential and businesses in North Central Florida.  Johns expressed pride in his company ybeing local and having longevity.  WiFiber partners with Uniti fiber, represented by Account Manager Camille Whiddon.   Whiddon attested to years of successful partnering.

Johns believes that he can deliver reliable wireless high-speed internet to Cedar Key by beaming the signal from Chiefland, where they currently beam service to Williston and Trenton.  He plans to prove that it can work by resting it here in Cedar Key and absorbing the costs of the test.   

The CKWSD Board asked that WiFiber return with a specific proposal for the test.  Johns responded he would do so immediately.

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