ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - People in Roanoke are learning they will soon have the option to get internet speeds 20 times faster than what they have right now.
Cox Communications is starting its gigabit internet service in one apartment building under construction downtown, but says in less than 2 years, everyone will have the option to sign up.
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This announcement is really part of a bigger push to increase telecommunications service in the city.
Just last week, the Valley Broadband Authority announced it plans to lay 50 miles of fiber optic cable as well.
City leaders say the hope is to quickly make Roanoke one of the most desirable places in the state to start a business.
Beth Doughty with the Roanoke Regional Partnership says Wednesday marks the beginning of a new era for business in the greater Roanoke area.
"There are a significant number of people, 18 thousand self-employed people, who likely work from their homes. Having that service not only at work but also in the home really expands the possibilities," said Doughty.
Cox Communications plans to roll out the new service in an apartment building currently under construction called Grammarcy Row.
Developer Lucas Thornton says he's excited to offer the service.
"The ability to stream a high definition feature film in less than a minute, a full-length film, or to download a hundred full-length songs in 3 seconds," said Thornton.
Cox says it will take around 18 months to establish the infrastructure, but they plan to make the service available to everyone.
Meanwhile, the Valley Broadband Authority also plans to begin construction on 50 miles of fiber optics next March.
"I've had 4 firms, 4 regional, national, and local companies come and actually provide me letters of intent to basically be able to start using the network," said Frank Smith with the Broadband Authority.
Doughty says the Roanoke area is one of only 3 localities in the state to receive residential gigabit services, and she hopes that distinction will draw the attention of big business.
"We talk about water and sewer, we talk about electric service, and we talk about natural gas, and you talk about telecommunications, and those other, the first four that I mentioned are world class, and now telecommunications is too," said Doughty.
Thornton says those apartments with gigabit service will be open in the early summer of next year.
He says he credits the Roanoke City Council for helping bring the service to the area.
In 2014, both Roanoke and the City of Salem each appropriated $100,000 toward fiber-optic infrastructure.