Purchase of Madison broadband network may bring improved service

Purchase of Madison broadband network may bring improved service

Madison, Wis. – In a transaction that could mean network expansion and improved service, Madison’s wireless Internet network has been purchased for an undisclosed price.
Mad City Broadband was acquired by Louis Kek, the former CIO of Cellnet, according to a report in the Madison Capital Times. Kek will serve as CEO and president of Mad City Broadband, Inc.
The broadband network was deployed a year ago in a 10-square-mile area around the State Capitol, but has been plagued by complaints of poor connections, especially in businesses and apartment buildings.
Kek told the Capital Times that Mad City Broadband would address the issues of customers in commercial buildings and apartments, and would expand the network beyond the existing coverage area.
Cellnet, a firm based in Atlanta, Ga., built the network and sold bandwidth to two Internet service providers – ResTech and Merrimac Communications. ResTech will end its contract this month, according to the report.
The service, which also is available at Dane County Regional Airport, is available for a $20 monthly charge.
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