West Florida Electric Cooperative Association, Inc.

Tech Talk

WFEC beta tests WildBlue broadband

West Florida Electric Cooperative is now a step closer to offering local installation, service and support for WildBlue broadband Internet access via two-way satellite. WildBlue, the next generation of high-speed Internet service technology, provides access up to 30 times faster than dial-up Internet service.

WFEC currently is beta testing WildBlue until its commercial launch May 1. WildBlue will be available even in areas without access to broadband via cable modem or digital subscriber line (DSL) service.

The speed of broadband service such as WildBlue opens a whole world of rich content largely unavailable with dial-up service. In addition, WildBlue’s "always on" connection via satellite doesn’t involve dial-ups, busy signals, disconnects or other delays associated with accessing the Internet through a phone line.

Subscription packages with various download speeds will accommodate residential, home office or small business needs. Service with 512k downloads will be $49.95 per month; with 1 M, $69.95 per month; and with 1.5 M, $79.95 per month. Each will provide 256K uploads and include all key ISP features, such as five e-mail addresses and Web space. Standard installation and equipment, which includes a mini-dish and modem, will be only $299. Also, although WildBlue doesn’t require use of a phone line, WFEC will include, as a backup with each WildBlue subscription, WFECA.NET dial-up Internet access with all its standard features, such as LightSpeed Web accelerator.

Later, WFEC will offer an upgrade kit that will allow WildBlue subscribers to use one dish for high-speed Internet access and DISH Network or DirecTV service. To received all the latest news on WildBlue, contact WFEC’s member services department or log on to to sign up for WFEC’s contact list.

Also, visit the two new locations for WFEC Internet service enrollment – EZ Computers, at 2918 Penn Ave., Marianna, phone number 482-4880, or Bonifay Computers, at 3371 Hwy. 90 East, Bonifay, 547-2571. The Radio Shack in Chipley at 1414 Main St., 638-4219, and Radio Shack in Blountstown at 19872 State Rd. 20 West, 674-3711, serve as WFEC Internet service sign-up points, as well.

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