June 16, 2017 – Many rural residents of McLean County can now get faster, video-capable Internet connections through ConnectGRADD after upgrades to services in several parts of the county. Expanded services in or near Livermore, Sacramento, Glenville and Rumsey were announced this week, as well as service for the first time in and around Island, with more upgrades planned.
“We’re extremely happy to be able to offer faster speeds in several parts of McLean County,” said Q-Wireless General Manager Phil Lambert. “We’ve had requests for quite some time for upgrades, and we’re pleased to finally be able to increase speeds and improve services in many places.”
Customers near the existing towers in the Livermore, Sacramento and Glenville areas can now get more than double the speeds previously offered, enough to stream video smoothly, and no caps are placed on usage.
“These days, the Internet is about video,” Lambert continued. “The equipment the original ConnectGRADD network was built with pre-dates streaming services, and we recognize how much demand has changed. It’s taken longer than we’d like for rural wireless technology to begin to catch up to that demand, and we’re very excited that new equipment is finally making better speeds possible.”
Along with upgrades to existing sites, new services have been added along Highway 1155 south of Rumsey, and from a newly-constructed tower that covers Island and the surrounding area. A project grant from the USDA’s Rural Utility Service to extend high-speed Internet to Rosine, in Ohio County, allowed for services to be added in Island with cooperation from the McLean County Fiscal Court and Island Fire Department.
“McLean County Fiscal Court was very pleased to work with Q-Wireless to help extend improved Internet services and capabilities to Island and the southeastern portions of McLean County, as well as enabling additional service to our neighbors in Ohio County,” said Judge/Executive Kelly Thurman. “Regional efforts such as these serve to enhance the quality of life for all of our citizens.”
Additional upgrades are now in progress in the Beech Grove area, and upgraded packages with faster speeds are planned for release there in July.
“Our ultimate goal is to offer video-capable services from all of the 70-plus towers we have in the ConnectGRADD network,” Lambert added. “We’re working to improve services across the GRADD area, and these additions in McLean County are a big step toward that goal.”
For details about services offered and availability at specific locations, residents can call Q-Wireless customer service at 1-877-472-3341.