If you are a member of the media and would like more information, please contact Patty Nowlin at (269) 445-1079 or by e-mail at pattyn@teammidwest.com

ELECTRIC CUSTOMERS INVITED TO SIGN UP FOR BPL WAIT LIST

(Cassopolis, MI) – Many Midwest Energy Cooperative customers have eagerly waited for information about the availability of Broadband over Power Lines (BPL). We’re pleased to report progress on the road to providing this exciting new service.

For those that are not familiar, BPL is the newest heavy hitter in the competitive world of broadband Internet service. It will open up the world of high-speed Internet access in previously unserved or underserved areas. BPL is built using the existing infrastructure of our own electric distribution system. Because it’s delivered over the power lines, you access the service through a common electrical outlet. No dialing in or tying up phone lines!

Many living in rural America have been stuck with the slow speeds and inconveniences f dial-up Internet service. BPL allows you to both upload and download at broadband speeds (a minimum of 256 kbps for the basic package). And, with packages starting at just $29.95 a month, you will pay only slightly more for speeds many times faster than dial-up!

In October we installed a small-scale BPL demonstration project in a remote part of our service territory. Our goal with this is to put the equipment and service through a battery of trials, especially against known elements within our electric distribution system. The demonstration project will help to identify any problems with the service, allowing us to ultimately roll out a well-tested product that will meet your needs.

Early reports are very positive; we’re getting great speeds and reliability. The coming weeks and months will be very critical as we monitor the service and address any problems. Once we are confident that the service will deliver, we will begin the official system roll-out. While we cannot promise any dates, we would like to begin the build-out process during the second quarter of 2008. The details behind the system build-out (where we will begin and how we will proceed through the system) are not yet defined.

We continue taking information for a no-obligation wait list. This will allow us to keep in touch with interested customers about developments in the program. The roll-out of the program will occur over a two-to-three year period. Please remember, you have to be a Midwest Energy Cooperative electric customer to have this service. Please sign up today to join the wait list, or email us if you would like more information about BPL.

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