Published: November 03, 2009 09:12 am      

Fulton, Jo-Caroll Energy to sign Internet agreement

Some residents lost service when CIS shut down

FULTON — The Fulton City Council on Monday approved a contract with a wireless Internet provider, and anticipates the agreement will provide another option to residents who may have lost service in the shutdown of CIS Internet Services a few months ago.

Jo-Caroll Energy Inc., based in Elizabeth, Ill., will pay the city $250 a month to place and maintain equipment on the city’s water tower. In return for being allowed the spot, the company will provide Fulton’s city government facilities with wireless Internet access, data services and communications backhaul.

Jo-Caroll also will provide prepaid open access WiFi throughout the city of Fulton. According to the contract, the company will agree to install equipment at unnamed “strategic locations” in the community.

In addition to being a wireless Internet/broadband telecommunications service provider, the company is an electric and natural gas service provider to members in Jo Daviess, Carroll and Whiteside counties.

City council members said having the Internet service could allow restaurants and other downtown businesses to pay a fee to offer WiFi access to customers. Members of the community could also sign up for access.

City Administrator Randy Balk said the company will be paying somewhat less than CIS Internet Services paid for a spot on the tower because of Jo-Caroll’s agreement to work closely with city leadership on providing access.

The city currently uses MediaCom Communications Corporations for Internet access and will switch to Jo-Carroll Energy Inc. after the contract is finalized.

City officials said both Erie, Ill., and Albany, Ill., are planning to switch to similar models with Jo-Caroll.