Bloomington Digital Gateway Press Conference
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BLOOMINGTON, Indiana Monroe County businesses are getting big benefits from a multi-million dollar investment in fiber-optic technology by Ellettsville-based Smithville Digital. During the past 18 months, the company has spent half of a total $4 million, five-year planned investment to install more than 400 miles of fiber in Bloomington and the surrounding area.
Called the Bloomington Digital Gateway, Smithville Digital’s fiber-optic ring currently serves several area organizations including Bloomington Hospital, Smallwood Plaza, Baxter Pharmaceutical Solutions, and Hoosier Energy.
“The network is quickly growing as businesses realize the benefits of fiber-optic technology,” said Cullen McCarty, president of Smithville Digital. “This cutting-edge technology brings world-class capacity to area infrastructure.”
Just last week, The Monroe County Community School Corporation signed an agreement with Smithville Digital for fiber-optic services.
A prime example of the benefits realized through fiber-optic technology, Bloomington Hospital is now able to connect with its facility in Paoli, Bloomington Hospital of Orange County (BHOC), as well as the Radiation Oncology Center, with a gigabyte of bandwidth. This is 700 times the speed of the hospital’s previous T1 connection, which offers a bandwidth of 1.5 megabytes, according to Jonna Risher, Bloomington Hospital’s media and community relations manager.
“Our customers will see the benefits from this new technology,” said Risher. “Thanks to fiber-optic technology and state-of-the-art imaging equipment, an X-ray in Orange County is transmitted in real-time for review by a specialist in Bloomington. The technology also helps us move one step closer to a paperless office system, as fiber optics allow for greater efficiency in data storage and transfer.”
While individual companies are sure to benefit from Smithville Digital’s new technology, there are positive implications for the city of Bloomington as a whole, as well as for surrounding communities.
“ Smithville Digital's Gateway project is an important investment in connectivity that adds to the services and infrastructure that sets our community apart from other cities,” said Linda Williamson, president of the BEDC.
And Monroe County leaders recognize that standing apart from and rising above other communities is a vital component of a community’s growth and success.
“Monroe County is pleased to be working with a local company that has had deep roots in our community for many years,” said Joyce Poling, president of the Monroe County Commissioners. “The investment that they are making in 21st century infrastructure is important in order for us to be able to recruit and grow companies that need the technology in order to create jobs.”
About Smithville Digital
Smithville Digital was formed in 2003 to offer the highest technological services for businesses and networking throughout the state of Indiana. Smithville Digital provides a fiber-optic means of digital data transmission to its customers. Fiber-optic technology allows for “last mile” connectivity as well as network management solutions to help customers meet their data transmission needs. For more information about Smithville Digital visit www.smithvilledigital.net.
Smithville Digital was formed as a spin-off of Smithville Telephone Company. Founded in 1922, Smithville Telephone has grown to be Indiana’s largest independent telecom company. Smithville Telephone Company has expanded its services to include Smithville Digital as well as DSL services. The headquarters are located in Ellettsville, Ind. For more information please visit www.smithville.net.