VALLEY – Jade Communications & Blanca Telephone Company were recognized by NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, the premier association representing nearly 900 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovation in rural and small-town America, as a Certified Gig-Capable Provider for delivering gigabit broadband speeds and enabling technological innovation in La Jara, Alamosa, San Luis, Blanca, Ft. Garland, Forbes Park and Sangre de Cristo Ranches.

As a Certified Gig-Capable Provider, Jade Communications & Blanca Telephone Company join a national campaign to build awareness and industry recognition of community-based telecom providers that have built communications networks capable of delivering Internet speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second, which is 100 times faster than those currently available in many U.S. households. Jade Communications & Blanca Telephone Company also received tools to promote itself as a Gig-Capable Provider in La Jara, Alamosa, San Luis, and Blanca, Ft. Garland, Forbes Park, & Sangre de Cristo Ranches communities and will be recognized in NTCA media, on the NTCA website, and during association conferences and events.

To achieve certification, telecommunications companies must show that gigabit technology is currently commercially available within 95 percent of one or more exchanges within its serving territory and that such service can be provided without new trenching or stringing new aerial facilities. This statement must be confirmed by a letter from an engineering firm or other independent source involved in the company’s network planning, deployment or operation.