David Wall, Cable ONE's local general manager, right, explains the company's fiber-optic internet infrastructure to Texarkana, Ark., Mayor Ruth Penney-Bell during a tour of facilities Friday in Texarkana, Texas. Cable ONE launched its GigaONE service for the Texarkana regional market with a promotional party Friday at its offices. GigaONE promises download speeds of 1 gigabit per second. Photo by Karl Richter / Texarkana Gazette.

Cable ONE officially launched its new GigaONE internet service for the Texarkana regional market with a promotional party Friday at the company's Texas-side offices.

Texarkana, Ark., Mayor Ruth Penney-Bell and Chamber of Commerce President Mike Malone were among those who attended the event, which featured demonstrations of the service, free food and door prizes. KEWL-FM broadcast live from the party.

GigaONE promises download speeds of 1 gigabit per second. At that speed, downloading a high-definition movie would take 60 seconds or less, 100 songs would take four seconds and an average video game 29 seconds, the company claims. The service will be available anywhere in the Texarkana market Cable ONE serves at a cost of $175 per month.

Cable ONE's local general manager David Wall gave Penney-Bell a tour of the company's facilities, including a look at fiber-optic infrastructure. She was most impressed with its potential for local economic development.

"This is exciting. Having this capability is very important to attracting new industry to this area," Penney-Bell said.

Wall said he had already heard from one business owner whose decision to relocate to Texarkana was in part because of the internet upgrade.

On Twitter: @RealKarlRichter