Josh Pichler

jpichler@enquirer.com

Cincinnati Bell will start making its fastest Internet service available to Fioptics customers by the end of June, the company announced.

Cincinnati Bell says its Fioptics gigabit Internet service is anywhere from 10 to 100 times faster than the broadband service Fioptics customers currently receive. Cincinnati Bell’s corporate customers have had the gigabit data service since 2001.

Dave Heimbach, Cincinnati Bell’s chief operating officer, said the service is equivalent in speed to Google Fiber, which is currently available in Kansas City and Provo, Utah, and which some city officials say they’d like to see available in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati Bell said ongoing investments in its fiber network, which currently reaches 276,000 consumers and business addresses, will allow it to start offering gigabit data speeds to more users.

The service will be available to multiple tenant businesses by the end of June, and general businesses and consumers by the end of September. Pricing has not been determined.

Cincinnati Bell plans to invest more than $80 million in its fiber network this year as it continues to transform into an entertainment, communications and IT solutions firm. Fioptics delivers high-speed Internet, entertainment and voice service through thin, flexible, transparent fibers made out of extruded glass or plastic.

The company said in February that Fioptics is now available in 35 percent of the region’s households and businesses. Its long-term goal is to have Fioptics available to 60 to 70 percent of the region’s potential customers.

The company’s announcement comes after city officials earlier this week launched an effort to bring Google’s Internet service here. Google says its Google Fiber is 100 times faster than basic broadband.

A Google spokesman told The Enquirer that the company is not currently adding cities beyond the 34 it’s already targeted for installation.

Technology companies say speed is a competitive advantage that improves productivity and capability. Cincinnati Bell said it has formed strategic partnerships with two organizations – The Brandery and Cintrifuse – that are supporting technology startups. Cincinnati Bell will provide gigabit data service in Cintrifuse’s new co-working space expected to open next year.

The Brandery, a consumer marketing and branding accelerator, and investor CincyTech will be among Cintrifuse’s tenants.

“We want the best technology that’s affordable and available,” said Eric Weismann, Cintrifuse’s director of marketing. “Cincinnati Bell’s stepped up to help us out and become an important partner.” ■