Fiber optics for Hartstene Pointe, I hope so! One thing we can all be thankful for on Harstine Island is that we are serviced by a very progressive Public Utility District (PUD3). Offering fiber optics to rate payers will not only spur growth but will create or save jobs in the rural county. I also think this project will be a big draw for Buyer's who will be able to use the fast Internet speeds to telecommute to work, so, think future draw here people.
In a recent survey sent to all rate payers on Harstine Island, the PUD3 asked if we would like the Mason County fiber optic system extended to the island and to Hartstene Pointe. We, on the island are at the mercy of the two satellite TV providers and DSL Internet service. We need options!
What is fiber optic communication, you may ask? Wikipedia defines it as;
* Fiber-optic communication is a method of transmitting information from one place to another by sending pulses of light through an optical fiber. The light forms an electromagnetic carrier wave that is modulated to carry information. First developed in the 1970s, fiber-optic communication systems have revolutionized the telecommunications industry and have played a major role in the advent of the Information Age. Because of its advantages over electrical transmission, optical fibers have largely replaced copper wire communications in core networks in the developed world.
This may sound complicated but the only thing you have to know is fiber optics are fast, real fast...
The other option that fiber optics brings is cable TV. Hood Canal Communication (HCC) is a locally owned and operated service provider. HCC provides cable TV and can supply the PUD3 customers with package rates for far less than the big national companies. HCC has no extra charges for local stations like the 2 major satellite companies that now service Harstine Island and Hartstene Pointe. The Timberlake community across the bridge and the Spencer Lake home owners both enjoy this service and are reporting great service.
What I want to see is some competition for the Internet, Telephone and TV service on Hartstene Pointe. I think it is a real plus that the county and PUD3 have mandated only local companies are eligible to provide service on the county fiber optic network. More jobs can't hurt our local economy...
*Definition of fiber optics at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiber-optic_communication
©2010 Paul Henderson, Fiber optics for Hartstene Pointe, All Rights Reserved
AUTHORED
Comments(3)