North Augusta to get new Internet, phone service

North Augusta residents soon will have a new option for Internet, WiFi and digital phone service.

Greenwood Village, Colo.-based Open Range Communications Inc. will start offering its services in North Augusta during the third week in September, said Dan Norman, the general manager for Georgia and South Carolina.

"We have built a wireless network that covers all of the North Augusta households. It's a WiMAX 4G Network. I'm thrilled that we're bringing another choice to North Augusta and creating jobs," Norman said.

North Augusta customers will be among the first in the country to receive the portable, wireless service through Open Range's Freedom 4G device, which is five devices in one and the only device of its kind, Norman said.

The device replaces the customer's Internet modem, phone service, WiFi, router and answering machine.

Customers can receive unlimited high speed Internet, WiFi and phone service with unlimited local and long distance in the United States and Canada for $59.45 a month, Norman said.

The $35 connection fee will be waived and the first month of service is free, Norman said.

Open Range launched it services one year ago and is receiving a $276 million loan through the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Utilities Program, which supports the American Broadband Bill of Rights. The broadband wireless Internet service provider is also receiving loan funding through J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

Open Range's mission is to bring wireless broadband to small and medium sized American communities. In the next four years, the company plans to bring this service to more than 500 communities across 17 states, with 34 markets in Georgia and South Carolina.