June 23, 2016
By Paragon News Director Paul Joseph –
Speeds will improve at the Beckham County Courthouse in about three months as all of the different departments and agencies go fiber.
Beckham County Commissioners voted this week to convert their communication lines to fiber optics from analog. They’re currently with AT&T and will stay with AT&T as the new system is with the same company.
An AT&T salesman, David Lawton told commissioners that the quality and speed will both improve with the new fiber optic system and AT&T will install it at no cost.
Fiber optics is the use of thin flexible fibers of glass or other transparent solids to transmit light signals, chiefly for telecommunications.
Lawton says AT&T has provided a fiber optic line to Sayre and all it takes is tying into it.
A fiber optic cable consists of a bundle of glass threads, each of which is capable of transmitting messages modulated onto light waves. Fiber has several advantages over traditional metal communications lines most notably speed, quality and cost of usage.
Lawton told the commissioners he’s estimating that the county court office’s bill could drop from $900 dollars a month to around $360, well over half. He says he can’t speculate every county agency that way, but all should generally be cheaper.
According to one expert in the field, fiber-optic lines have revolutionized long-distance phone calls, cable TV and the Internet.
Lawton says it all should be up and running by August.
According to one expert in the field, fiber-optic lines have revolutionized long-distance phone calls, cable TV and the Internet.
In other business, commissioners approved the hiring of current 1st Deputy in the county treasurer office, Jennifer Drury as an interim replacement for the retiring Janette Cornelius, the current county treasurer.
Cornelius announced her retirement Monday, June 6 at the county commissioners meeting saying it was time to spend more time at home and with her husband. Cornelius’ retirement party is scheduled for the 28th and her last day will be Friday, July 29.
Drury’s first day as treasurer will be Monday, August 1.
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