24-7 & West Wisconsin Telcom Receive National Recognition as Smart Rural Community

24-7 and West Wisconsin Telcom Cooperative, Inc., and the communities they serve, were recognized as “Smart Rural Communities” by NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association. NTCA is a national association representing more than 800 independent, community-based broadband companies. 24-7 and West Wisconsin Telcom is one of only 12 companies nationally to receive this designation in 2016.

What is a Smart Rural Community? Fiber Internet is fast becoming known as an essential service, much like electricity or water. Fundamentally, a smart rural community uses fiber optic networks to enable applications the community can leverage for innovative economic development, blue-ribbon education, first-rate health care, cutting-edge government services, robust security and more efficient energy distribution and use. The value of homes connected to a fiber optic network increase in value by more than three percent. Put another way, that's a valuation increase of more than $5,000 for the median home or business according to the FTTH Council.

“It is an honor to be selected for this prestigious award," said Mark Stenseth, CEO at 24-7 & West Wisconsin Telcom. "We are team driven, involved and dedicated to connecting smart rural communities with fiber optic networks from the ground up. This technology in which we have invested ensures 24-7 & West Wisconsin Telcom will always be able to deliver the broadband our customers need and deserve.”

West Wisconsin Telcom was established over 60 years ago because the large corporations had no interest in serving rural communities. Now those large corporations have cellular towers that rely on the very same fiber optic network that connects all the businesses and homes served by West Wisconsin Telcom.

West Wisconsin Telcom’s 100% fiber to the home project was completed in 2008 and in 2015 they enhanced their network and started offering fiber Internet speeds up to 1GIG. The communities they serve include Downsville, Wilson, Spring Lake, Weston, Eau Galle, Rock Falls, Meridian, Fall City,

Elk Lake and the West side of Eau Claire. 24-7 Telcom, a subsidiary of West Wisconsin Telcom, was established to build fiber optic services to Menomonie and they are presently expanding their fiber optic network to the community of Rusk.

For more information, please contact 24-7 & West Wisconsin Telcom at 715-231-2000 or wwt.net