In a troubled economy, many businesses are shrinking and cutting back, but Crosslake Communications in Crosslake is seeing just the opposite - an increasing customer base and an ever-rising demand for more and upgraded service.
Crosslake Communications director Paul Hoge, appearing before the Crosslake City Council on Monday, June 8, called the soaring demand for high speed Internet and high definition TV "a good problem to have."
Hoge said Crosslake Communications has 139 more high-speed Internet customers this year than last year, and 65 more high definition television customers over last year.
But Hoge said keeping up with demand poses a significant challenge to his company and crews, who are working steadily to expand the coverage area where fiber optics and/or copper wire delivery systems can reach to bring faster Internet and more advanced TV and telephone options to local residents.
Hoge said Crosslake Communications envisioned several years ago that it would cost about $8 million to bring fiber optic cables -which can deliver TV, high-speed Internet and telephone in one bundle - to all areas of Crosslake and adjacent areas.
To date, about $4.7 million has been spent toward completing what Hoge called a five-phase operation. Each "phase" represents a particular area of the Crosslake Communications service area. Two of the phases are complete. The remaining three phases are the West Shore Drive, Old Log Landing, and Bonnie Lake/Goodridge/ O'Brian areas.
Hoge said that, technically, all areas currently have access to high-speed Internet using copper wire transmission systems, but the lack of certain connection equipment means many people must be placed on a waiting list before they can subscribe.
Hoge said they have to turn away customers all the time.
While copper wire systems are adequate to deliver services to customers, Hoge said fiber optic cable is the optimum tool for delivering communications products at all speeds and capacities.
However, fiber optic cable is expensive and it will probably take a number of years before every area of the Crosslake Communications customer base can be reached.
To help alleviate the problem and meet ongoing demand, Hoge asked the council to approve spending $40,000 in reserve money to contract with CALIX networks to begin using that company's "E5 technology" as a way to supplement existing delivery systems.
The council unanimously approved the expenditure. The so-called E5 technology will bring voice data deployment to the West Daggett area. It will also free up other delivery devices on the existing system, allowing more customers to be served.
Crosslake Communications is owned by the city of Crosslake.
