New Affordable Fiber Internet Services Available in Champaign-Urbana Through Historic Open Access Arrangement

Residents across the cities of Champaign and Urbana now have access to new affordable fiber internet services through an innovative—and historic—open access arrangement. Volo Internet + Tech (Volo), an Urbana-based Internet Service Provider (ISP) serving Champaign County’s businesses and residents, now provides gigabit fiber services using the fiber broadband network constructed by the nonprofit organization, UC2B (http://uc2b.net).

Offering symmetrical (upload/download) speeds of up to 1000mbps, Volo’s new Extended Fiber offering (https://volo.net/exf) brings a new, hyper-local, super-fast option to access the Internet via UC2B’s fiber backbone for most of Champaign-Urbana residents. Peter Folk, Volo’s founder and CEO, explains: “Fiber internet at home is a critical component to being competitive in today’s modern internet world. Our Extended Fiber makes that service available at a low price, from a local 100% local, customer-focused provider, for the first time.” These services are immediately available to tens of thousands of residents throughout the cities of Champaign and Urbana.

The UC2B fiber network was completed in a collaboration between the University of Illinois and the cities of Champaign and Urbana in 2012 using U.S. Department of Commerce National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA) grant funding through their Broadband Technologies Opportunity Program, or BTOP, to provide broadband internet service to community anchor institutions and households in the community who were underserved or unserved.

The fiber network was designed as an Open Access infrastructure—one that enables multiple internet service providers, or ISPs, to use the fiber network to deliver affordable fiber services to the region, without repeatedly digging up yards and streets. Volo Internet + Tech is the first ISP to take advantage of this “open” access to the UC2B Network which is operated by i3Broadband, the other isp currently offering service over the UC2B fiber infrastructure.

“For anyone who uses Zoom or other videoconferencing, plays games online, shares or accesses large files, works from home, or uses online platforms for things like day trading or graphic design, Volo’s new Extended Fiber Internet Service will be a game-changer,” says Volo’s Director of Growth & Strategy Jason Young. “Those who sign up will most likely see a significant cost savings coupled with significantly better access to symmetrical upload and download speeds up to 1000mbps with every Volo service option.”

“This is a historic moment for UC2B and indeed the community,” says Paul Hixson, Co-Chair of the UC2B Board. “The UC2B network was always envisioned to make this cutting-edge technology available to all residents of the community through an open access framework. The UC2B network is a community asset and now residents will enjoy the benefits of a competitive vendor environment in which multiple companies can differentiate themselves on the basis of their pricing plans, service options, and performance track record.”

Volo’s new Extended Fiber Internet Service includes:
● Three competitively priced Internet service tiers with symmetrical speed of up to 1 gigabit (1000mbps) starting at just $49.95 per month. At $64.95/mo there is no installation fee, no confusing price hikes, and no usage limits for customers that agree to keep service for at least 1 year
● Affordable managed WiFi add-on options starting at $10 per month for basic coverage. At $30 per month, the next generation Managed WiFi 7 service offers the fastest wireless speeds currently possible. Managed WiFi 7 is a first in home fiber managed WiFi offerings.

Volo is a local company, founded and based in Urbana and dedicated to serving the residents and businesses of Champaign County. “We are local, our team is local, or service is local,” says CEO Folk, who founded the business in 2001 with the aim of providing affordable options for great connectivity to the community they serve. “We are fully dedicated to serving this community—our community—and its residents. This new service is just one more opportunity to achieve that mission.”

“This new opportunity for affordable gig speed fiber internet really is a no-brainer,” says Young. “Faster speeds at lower costs. This is exactly what area residents need to stay ahead in today’s digital world.”

For those interested in learning more about this historic open access arrangement, or for signing up for Volo’s new Extended Fiber Internet Service, head to https://volo.net/internet to check Volo’s service map. Learn more about the new fiber offering at https://volo.net/exf. Those interested are encouraged to schedule soon to get the earliest chance for an installation timeline.