Fiber optics project aims to expand internet service in Selma

From the West Alabama Newsroom–

Better internet service — is on the way to the west Alabama area of the Black Belt — starting in Selma.

Fiber-optic technology is expanding the broadband internet services available to people in west Alabama.

Crews are on the ground in Selma — placing fiber optic lines throughout the city — and it won’t stop there. Selma is just the starting point of a project — that will put fiber optic infrastructure — in the western Black Belt region of the state.

“Fiber optic based internet is the latest and greatest internet service out there,” said David Foti, the Senior Construction Manager for the project.

“We will be building from here, all the way to Demopolis. And then all the way north up to Montevallo and everything in between.”

“We’re trying to close the gap to underserved or not served at all areas for high speed low cost internet service,” said Interim Selma IT Director Angela Smith.

Officials say the fiber optic network will allow people and businesses to fully participate — play — and compete in today’s digital age — without buffering.

“Fiber is more reliable. You will be able to get at least 1 gig of internet,” said Smith. “That’s fast internet, reliable internet services to your home.

“The speeds are just unmatchable the cable TV type of service or a telephone company type of DSL internet service,” said Foti. “This is the top of the line, state of the art internet service that’s available here in the United States and worldwide.”

“It’ll be a game changer. And Selma is our first priority to get built out. And then we will be expanding out from there.”

The fiber optic-project is the result of a public-private partnership.