Sumter Square selects Capitol Broadband to install wireless High Speed Internet Network for residents
Raleigh, NC, July 1, 2003 – Capitol Broadband, a high-speed Internet Service Provider, announced today that it has successfully installed and serviced a wireless network (WiFi) for the residents of Sumter Square since September of 2002.
Frustrated with their residents' challenging experiences working with local cable and DSL providers, Sumter Square turned to Capitol Broadband to provide a state-of-the art, highly reliable and flexible high-speed Internet service to its residents. Capitol Broadband installed a system that enables residents to access the Internet virtually anywhere within the community, such as their residences, the pool, tennis courts and outdoor park benches.
"Our residents have really enjoyed and benefited from the high speed and mobility of the service, as well as the excellent customer support," said Bunny Blake, Sumter Square's Property Manager. All new residents are given access to the wireless service as part of their rent and residents who renew their leases also receive free access. "This high-speed Internet access has certainly helped to increase traffic to our community and more than 35% of the new leases signed since the service was initiated were highly influenced by this amenity. One of the great things about the service is that this is an amenity that residents actually use versus traditional amenities like the pool and tennis courts," added Ms. Blake.
Since the service was initiated in September of 2003, vacancy at Sumter Square has dropped by more than two thirds, from 16% to 5%. The market average for the area has actually increased to 13% during that same period. "We are pleased to see the tangible financial benefits that communities can enjoy when embracing this rapidly growing mainstream technology," said Glen Lang, CEO of Capitol Broadband.
Residents at Sumter Square access the apartment by using wireless (WiFi) access devices available for under $50 from retailers such as Best Buy and Circuit City. Over 16 million people used WiFi in 2001 and that number is expected to grow to 60 million by 2006 according to the research company, Allied Business Intelligence. Intel recently launched its new Centrino processor chip, which has WiFi capability built into the chip, an indicator that the trend is moving toward wireless
Sumter Square is located on 50 acres with 391 townhouses and garden-style apartments. Conveniently located in Southwest Raleigh, NC near Interstate 40 and Interstate 440. The community features 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartment homes with rents starting at $499 per month. The community is amenity rich with wireless high-speed Internet access, swimming pool, tennis courts, on site 5 Star day care center and a fitness center to name a few. The community is managed by Drucker and Falk, which also manages other communities featuring Capitol Broadband’s wireless high-speed Internet access.
About Capitol Broadband
Capitol Broadband, LLC. is a broadband (high-Speed) Internet Service Provider that delivers high-speed Internet access to apartment and residential communities in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast at dial-up prices. Capitol Broadband also provides service to commercial properties. In addition to providing broadband Internet access, Capitol Broadband will also provide additional services such as phone service via Voice over IP (VOIP), cable television services and video-on-demand where applicable. Capitol Broadband delivers its service to communities and commercial properties via wireless systems, fiber optics and traditional mediums such as cabling.
More information is available at www.capband.com.
Contact: Louis Balla
VP Sales and Marketing
202-320-8975
louballa@capband.com