Ting Internet to bring gigabit fiber Internet to Fuquay-Varina, NC

FUQUAY-VARINA, N.C., April 30, 2018 -- Ting, a division of Tucows (NASDAQ:TCX) (TSX:TC) is pleased to announce that Fuquay-Varina will be the next town to get crazy fast fiber Internet from Ting.

Ting Internet continues its commitment to bringing dedicated symmetrical gigabit fiber optic Internet infrastructure and the fastest Internet access to forward thinking towns and cities that need and want it.

"Fuquay-Varina is one of the fastest growing towns in North Carolina. High-speed fiber optic broadband is the key to modern communications, economic growth, and access to a world of opportunities. Having Ting bring 'crazy fast fiber Internet' to Fuquay-Varina is very positive for our fast-growing town. It provides greater choices for citizens to connect to the Internet and helps the town prepare for the future," said Mayor John W. Byrne.

Ting’s expansion into Fuquay-Varina was driven in large part by interest from residents, and by their proactive City government.

"Over the past 15 months, the Town of Fuquay-Varina has been building a fiber network to ensure that town facilities have sufficient network capacity to meet needs now and in the future," said Town Manager Adam Mitchell. "Taking a proactive approach to planning and investing in fiber infrastructure has made the Town attractive to service providers. We are excited that Ting is coming to Fuquay-Varina."

“I regularly meet residents from Fuquay-Varina at Ting events in Holly Springs. They are frustrated with their existing Internet options and often ask if Ting will expand to serve Fuquay-Varina,” said Todd Rubin, Area Manager for Ting. “Likewise, Fuquay-Varina has everything we love about a town. It’s smart, it’s growing, there’s a progressive, entrepreneurial spirit here. We can’t wait to get started.”

Ting has an established market in neighboring Holly Springs, NC, so building a network in Fuquay-Varina will leverage the existing operation and enable us to break ground much faster than might otherwise be possible.

Ting expects to light the first customer on its crazy fast fiber network in Fuquay-Varina before the end of the year.

Pre-ordering open
Fuquay-Varina residents can pre-order Ting crazy fast fiber Internet now. Ting Internet uses a pre-order system to gauge interest, which in turn can shape the direction network design and construction takes. A $9 one-time pre-order is returned as a credit on a customer’s first Ting bill. Pre-orders can also be refunded at any time. Pre-ordering secures the best possible break on start-up costs, up to and including the full cost of installation.

Construction
Construction will begin this summer and will run in neighborhood phases. These construction phases will be announced on the dedicated Fuquay-Varina Ting Town page at ting.com/fuquayvarina, which will be updated regularly as milestones are reached. Ting Fuquay-Varina can also be found on social media (Facebook | Twitter | Instagram).

The very first Ting customers in Fuquay-Varina will be connected with crazy fast fiber Internet around the end of this year.

The Ting crazy fast fiber Internet network will reside primarily in underground conduit. This is the preferred method for fiber installation (as contrasted with aerial installation on utility poles) and it’s the method Ting Internet uses wherever feasible. For a little insight into what that process looks like, please see (and feel free to use or embed) this video detailing construction in neighboring Holly Springs. (youtube.com/watch?v=Sk8AS1uOW-0).

Ting uses a technique called “fiber blowing” to move fiber through the underground conduit and up to homes and businesses. Once the “dirt and hard work” phase of construction is complete in a neighborhood, it’s onto the process of lighting customers; getting homes and businesses physically connected to the fiber network. Ting Internet is a full fiber to the premises (FttP) operation. Ting calls this part of the operation “light at the end of the tunnel,” and it’s detailed in this video (youtube.com/watch?v=oPMiWu1zd-w)

Ting Internet pursues arrangements with MDUs (multiple dwelling units, buildings that normal people usually call apartments or condos) in Ting Towns, including arrangements where Ting crazy fast fiber Internet is an included amenity for residents.

Ting Internet offers symmetrical gigabit fiber Internet for residential, small business and enterprise customers. Home gigabit Internet costs $89 a month. Business gigabit Internet costs $139 a month. Enterprise Internet costs are discussed on an individual case basis.

CEO Elliot Noss, VP Networks Adam Eisner, Director, Market Development and Government Affairs Monica Webb and other members of the Ting team are always available to speak with local and national media. Well, not literally always but, like, you’ll find they’re pretty available and approachable.

Press contact
Ray Weiss
410-303-5019
[email protected]

Tucows investor contact
Lawrence Chamberlain
416-519-4196
[email protected]

About Ting Internet
Ting Internet provides crazy fast fiber Internet in select US towns and cities. Ting is committed to net neutrality and the open Internet. More than that, Ting is committed to being a part of an improving the communities it serves by supporting and championing local good works. Ting sponsors local programs, events, foundations, festivals, charities and public services everywhere we go, investing in the future of the towns we serve.

About Tucows
Tucows is a provider of network access, domain names and other Internet services. Ting (ting.com) delivers mobile phone service and fixed Internet access with outstanding customer support. OpenSRS (opensrs.com) and Enom (enom.com) manage over 29 million domain names and millions of value-added services through a global reseller network of over 40,000 web hosts and ISPs. Hover (hover.com) makes it easy for individuals and small businesses to manage their domain names and email addresses. More information can be found on Tucows' corporate website (tucows.com).