Internet provider Ting launched 2-gigabit fiber internet for $89 a month in several Colorado Springs neighborhoods. The plan — part of Ting’s larger goal of working with local governments to provide faster, cheaper internet — will include download and upload speeds of 2 gigabits per second.
Ting’s latest offering is part of its larger goal of disrupting broadband giants and bridging the digital divide. The need for fast, reliable internet is tightly woven into our daily lives. Accessibility isn’t a guarantee for many in the US, which can complicate communication, hybrid school and work schedules, and paying bills. Smaller companies like Ting are working on providing more affordable internet options to customers who may not be served by larger ISPs.
Limited market competition has led to hundreds of communities building their own broadband networks, but these community-owned networks are often cheaper. Colorado Springs is building its own open access fiber network with Ting, according to Tech Dirt. Even though Colorado Springs owns the underlying infrastructure, different internet service providers can still come in and offer services to residents for less money by utilizing the network.
“Ting is proud to have officially launched service in Colorado Springs,” Deb Walker, Ting’s Community Engagement and Public Affairs Manager for Colorado said in a statement. “In addition to bringing a new internet choice to the community, Ting is also offering its 2-gigabit symmetrical internet to all Colorado Springs residents who qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) at no cost—something we’re hopeful we’ll be able to roll out across our markets soon. At Ting, we’re committed to being a genuine part of each community in which we operate, and this is just the beginning!”
The community-built broadband network trend is spreading across the country and giving more customers options in locations where historically, only one provider has been available. Tech Dirt says this is due to the influx of cash flowing into the sector via the infrastructure bill, as well as widespread frustration over substandard broadband during the height of the pandemic.