Gladstone out of the Internet business
By Dionna Harris - dharris@dailypress.netGLADSTONE - An Iron Mountain company is in the process of taking over broadband Internet operations from the city of Gladstone, Gladstone City Manager Brant Kucera said this morning.
"The city is allowing a private company from Iron Mountain, UP Log On, to take over the equipment and customer base, with the city continuing to receive free Internet service," said Kucera.
More than four years ago, the city started providing broadband Internet service to residents. However, according to Kucera, the cost of maintenance of the equipment overshadowed revenues generated by its customer base.
"We were faced with two options, one option was shutting down the broadband service or finding someone to take over providing broadband service," he said.
A transmission tower, located on the North Bluff, which had been used to provide wireless broadband service to Gladstone residents will continue to be used for cellular transmission.
"Currently AT&T/Cingular and CellCom are utilizing the transmission tower for cell phone services. Alltel is currently contracting with the city of Gladstone to use the North Bluff transmission tower for cellular service. Alltel is expected to be online by the end of September or the middle of October," said Kucera.
He also said with the city is retaining ownership of the transmission tower and renting the unit for cellular service, the city had created a perpetual means of income.
