Volo Broadband Completes First Phase of Upgrade Plan

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- May 21 2010 -- Volo Broadband today announced that it has completed the first phase of its 2010 capacity-upgrade plan, adding 50 miles of underground conduit infrastructure and one gigabit per second (Gbps) of additional backbone capacity.

Peter Folk, CEO of Volo Broadband, explained, "Based on these upgrades, we are now able to offer gigabit-speed fiber-optic connections to the Internet in the area east from Randolph Street to High Cross Road, from Green Street to University Avenue, with a range of redundancy options to ensure carrier-grade reliability." A gigabit-speed connection is 100 times faster than a typical cable modem. "These upgrades also pave the way for planned improvements in our wireless infrastructure," continued Folk.

Volo is best known for its wireless internet service, which serves hundreds of homes and businesses in Champaign-Urbana and the surrounding area. But Volo also serves several large apartment complexes, government facilities and large businesses. Ray Mitchell, Business Development Coordinator for Volo Broadband, said, "These new services are designed to improve our offerings for multi-dwelling units such as hotels and apartment complexes, and businesses with heavy Internet needs. Service will be available with about 45 days notice to customers that need speeds as low as five megabits per second (Mbps) and as high as 10,000 Mbps." Pricing depends on the specific needs of each customer, but Volo's goal is to reduce the price per megabit by 30-50% over similar service offerings, according to Mitchell. Comcast and AT&T offer competing services from about 1.5 Mbps to 10 Mbps.

The federally funded UC2B project will deploy similar infrastructure in some areas, but it is unlikely to provide services of this type for at least three years. "As UC2B's plans mature, Volo will work with UC2B to ensure that federal and local money is spent responsibly, and to deliver world-class services to all residents and businesses in Champaign-Urbana," said Folk.

About Volo
Volo Broadband has been providing Internet service to residents and businesses in Champaign County since 2002. Customers choose Volo because it delivers friendly, personal support that you would expect from a local small business, while offering services and pricing that are competitive with national providers like Comcast and AT&T.

###

For further information, please contact Volo CEO Peter Folk at (217) 721-3893 or Business Development Coordinator Ray Mitchell at (217) 898-0638.