Cincinnati Bell, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative Partner on High-Speed Internet Project

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cincinnati Bell and Butler Rural Electric Cooperative are pleased to announce a new partnership through which Cincinnati Bell will expand its fiber network and begin delivering high-speed Fioptics Internet to parts of Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s electric service territory this year.

Butler Rural Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative located in Oxford, Ohio. The cooperative serves members in portions of Butler, Hamilton, Preble, and Montgomery Counties.

Cincinnati Bell has already launched Phase 1 of the partnership, which will make Fioptics Internet available to more than 2,000 additional Butler Rural Electric Cooperative members over the next 16 months. Cincinnati Bell and Butler Rural Electric Cooperative will notify members as addresses become eligible for Fioptics Internet. Cincinnati Bell and Butler Rural Electric Cooperative are evaluating additional business and residential addresses for future phases of the partnership.

Cincinnati Bell will also provide fiber-based services to Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s substations and other equipment to enhance reliability.

“Partnering with Cincinnati Bell to bring high-speed fiber-based Internet to our members fulfills the cooperative’s mission of improving the quality of life in our communities and enhancing our electric reliability,” said Michael L. Sims, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative’s General Manager.

“We are excited to be working with a local broadband provider. We know Cincinnati Bell is a committed partner in helping to bring fiber not only to our substations, but to our members and surrounding communities as well. The telecommunications industry is fast-changing, but we will continue to work with Cincinnati Bell until the cooperative’s members have access to fiber-based Internet service.”

The partnership continues Cincinnati Bell’s commitment to deliver fiber-based, high-speed Internet to underserved areas of Greater Cincinnati, and aligns with the State of Ohio’s goal to expand broadband Internet access in underserved areas of the state. Broadband Internet plays a critical role in driving economic development opportunities, bridging the digital divide, and supporting the public sector’s commitment to more efficient government.

“Cincinnati Bell has been connecting businesses and customers for more than 145 years, and our innovative partnership with Butler Rural Electric Cooperative continues this tradition,” said Jason Praeter, President of Cincinnati Bell’s Entertainment & Communications business. “We are proud to be working with Butler Rural Electric Cooperative on this important initiative that will support economic development opportunities for businesses, and improve connectivity for residents.”

For more information, please click on this link.

About Cincinnati Bell Inc.

With headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio, Cincinnati Bell Inc. (NYSE: CBB) delivers integrated communications solutions to residential and business customers over its fiber-optic and copper networks including high-speed internet, video, voice and data. Cincinnati Bell provides service in areas of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Hawaii. In addition, enterprise customers across the United States and Canada rely on CBTS and OnX, wholly-owned subsidiaries, for efficient, scalable office communications systems and end-to-end IT solutions. For more information, please visit www.cincinnatibell.com. The information on the Company’s website is not incorporated by reference in this press release.

About Butler Rural Electric Cooperative

Founded in 1936, Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative located in Oxford, Ohio. The cooperative serves more than 11,500 members in portions of Butler, Hamilton, Preble, and Montgomery counties in southwestern Ohio. For more information, please visit https://www.butlerrural.coop/.