MetroNet’s construction of a 100 percent fiber optic network is underway and currently on track to complete its project in two years.

“We have a very extensive construction communication plan,” said Kathy Scheller, the director of government relations for MetroNet. “As we come in, we let residents know thirty days before we construct their neighborhood that we’re coming. We let them know who we are. We direct them to our 800 number or our construction communications website.”

“We’re very, very transparent, and we communicate, communicate, communicate,” Scheller said. 

Unlike its competitors, Metronet is 100 percent fiber-optic. This means that the company does not use cable or coaxial. 

“We’re bringing in all brand new infrastructure. This infrastructure is a direct fiber connection … We’re bringing our speeds in over glass,” Scheller said. This infrastructure allows broadband speeds to be able to hold, she explains, because the only devices attached to your strand of fiber are yours. 

Fiber-optic cable is available in roughly 14 percent of the country, according to MetroNet, whereas coaxial cable is widely available in 84 percent of the country. The use of coaxial cable, which was invented in the mid-1800s, has reached its maximum speed and cannot accommodate high speeds as readily that are needed for streaming and other technology. Fiber optic, which was created in the 1960s and 1970s, can continue to accommodate increased speeds as technology evolves. 

MetroNet offers their services to both residents and businesses. 

“We have symmetrical internet speeds which means you can upload as fast as you download,” Scheller said. “Our lowest offering at this time is 100 meg down, 100 meg up, and our highest offering to the home right now is a gig up and a gig down.” 

Scheller said the fiber-optic infrastructure is built to last with easy maintenance. “ As technology increases, we call our infrastructure “future-proof” because as technology increases, all we have to do is change the equipment on both ends and residents will be able to obtain 5 gig symmetrical, 10 gig symmetrical, whatever is needed as technology increases and future bandwidth is needed you’ll be able to have. It’s important to note that we’re not just a residential company.”

Metronet offers enterprise-grade internet. The company has a wide area network capability whereby multiple locations can be connected on a fiber-optic strand.

In an effort to make communication easy for their customers, MetroNet plans to open a storefront in Fayetteville. Currently, they have not selected a location, but they plan to choose one that is in Fayetteville and will be easily accessible to residential and business clients.

“It’s really important when we come into communities like Fayetteville that we become a part of the city.,” Scheller explains. 

For that reason, the company also plans to be actively involved in the community. “Residents will be able to see MetroNet not only at our storefront, but being engaged in philanthropic activities, being engaged in the community… They’re going to get to know our corporate culture, and we’re going to get to know Fayetteville.” 

Between the construction, maintenance and sales, Scheller anticipates that the company will need to hire numerous people within the area, aiding Fayetteville’s economic development.  “When MetroNet comes into Fayetteville and establishes our storefront, we’re going to be needing technicians to install if people want to access our fiber optics. We’re going to need people to work at the storefront. We’re going to be needing business salespeople,” she said.  

The number of jobs is not official, but with the expectation of being able to have technicians service and manage the fiber attached to homes and businesses and to have businesspeople who are in the city offering business services to clients, Scheller expects the number will be significant. 

As communication is highly valued by MetroNet, according to Scheller, she emphasized that the company has an “extensive due diligence process” when entering into new communities that MetroNet believes they can make a significant impact on and that are underserved.  “We’re totally funding this. It’s a public-private partnership with the city of Fayetteville as well as your utility there. Again, that partnership is so important because it’s a massive overbuild of the city.”

The infrastructure deal is a $70 million dollar investment in the community that was finalized earlier this year. In addition to Fayetteville, the company is doing construction in Hope Mills, Linden, Godwin, Wade, Stedman, Eastover, Falcon, Spring Lake, and other parts of Cumberland County; additionally, MetroNet is doing construction in Hoke County, to include Raeford and Rockfish. 

MetroNet is headquartered in Evansville, Indiana. The company has constructed networks and offers services in over 100 communities in Indiana, Kentucky, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Florida, Ohio, Minnesota, North Carolina and Florida. 

Visit https://construction.metronetinc.com/ to learn more about the ongoing MetroNet construction. To learn more about employment opportunities with MetroNet, visit https://www.metronetinc.com/careers/ .