Frontier increases its speed

Sending photos, videos and other graphic-heavy data doesn't have to be a time consuming, equipment bogging chore anymore for Frontier Communications customers in the Tri-City area.

Frontier has installed new switching equipment in its Kennewick service center enabling the company to offer bandwidth speeds of 3 to 20 megabits per second and higher in some instances, said Diana Anderson, technical supervisor for Frontier in Kennewick.

"Frontier has never been able to offer speeds like this before," she said.

And unlike some internet connections, the data speed is the same uploading as downloading, Anderson said.

Frontier calls the new service Metro Ethernet, or MetroE, and it's available today in 55 cities in 11 states, including Kennewick, Richland, West Richland, Benton City and Plymouth.

In Washington, MetroE also is available in the Everett area. In Oregon, it's offered in Beaverton, Coos Bay, Gresham and Hillsboro.

Mid-size and large businesses with bandwidth-heavy needs are Frontier's targets for MetroE. And individuals "who are serious gamers, people who download videos and those who watch TV and movies on their computers can benefit too," Anderson said.

"Medicine, education, banking, tourism and entertainment are among the sectors that can realize immediate benefits from ... Frontier MetroE," Randy Lee, general manager of the Kennewick area, said in a news release.

Skye White, a small business account executive for this area, said different businesses will use it in different ways.

One company could have a dedicated connection, via DSL, to connect to the internet. Another may want two offices in the same company connected so they can share information back and forth.

"You can even have Company A here and Company B in Everett or another place with MetroE," White said. "They can also customize the speed they need."

MetroE does not require new equipment or changing existing phone lines.

"You'll get a translator box for your line which is provided at no cost," White said.

MetroE is supported by centralized service centers that provide customer support 24 hours day.

"Frontier's MetroE is available today but you have to keep in mind, you can't call today and have it tomorrow. It takes a couple of weeks to get everything in place," White said.

For more information, call Randall Lee, 736-3701 or email randall.lee@ftr.com; or call Skye White, 736-3702.

This story was originally published October 7, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Frontier increases its speed ."