WAYMART -- In this Internet age, many of us rely on fast, reliable internet service and one telecom company in Wayne County is stepping up its game to offer the fastest internet available, far ahead of many others in the area.
In the last two years, South Canaan Telephone Company has strung 40 miles of fiber optic line in the area--arguably the best way to transmit data through wires.
"We want to stay around for a long time and provide our customers with best possible services, can't do that with copper or coax," said Eric Smith, South Canaan Telephone Company.
A telecom company near Pittsburgh bought South Canaan Telephone a couple years ago and is investing in the new technology ahead of other providers in the area.
In a strand of fiber cable, there are 48 fibers made of glass that Smith says can handle lots of data.
"You have a little fiber it goes a long way."
Just within the last week or so, crews have started hooking up customers in the Waymart area with fiber optic cable, digital TV, digital Internet, and digital phone. Phone service is something South Canaan Telephone has been known for for more than 100 years, but only now is it getting far past anyone else in the game in Wayne County.
"We've always said Waymart is the boonies, not anymore. We're right up there with the rest of them," said Lillian Rollison of Waymart.
Rollison is one of the first in the Waymart area to get the digital TV, Internet, and phone through South Canaan Telephone. Rollison says she's encouraged to see the high tech rolling out--with a potential to attract new residents and businesses that could tap into the blazing fast internet speeds.
"It's very encouraging that Waymart is, what would you call us, a pace setter?" Rollison said.
"We also think providing these kinds of communication services would be good for the economy. If it's good for economy, it's not going to hurt us," Smith said.
South Canaan Telephone plans to expand fiber once it handles the mere 800 homes it's available to now.
