• When the telecommunications and fiber optic system that would become Community Network Services (CNS) was conceived, the original intent was to create an authority under which ownership and operation would fully take place. The consolidation is the culmination of that early vision

• The cities of Cairo, Camilla, Moultrie and Thomasville have reached an agreement pursuant to which all assets owned by the four cities related to the ownership and operation of the telecommunications and broadband services currently marketed under the brand name Community Network Services, or CNS, will be consolidated under the South Georgia Governmental Services Authority (SGGSA).

• SGGSA will purchase the assets from each city through a bond issue. Each city will receive a proportionate share equal to that city’s share of the assets sold to the SGGSA. For example, if a city owns 25 percent of the total assets purchased by the SGGSA, that city will receive 25 percent of the total amount distributed from the bond sale.

• This transaction will maintain the technological network, differentiated by an ability to deliver telecommunications and broadband products while benefiting from operating efficiencies and economies of scale.

• The consolidation is expected to be seamless to the customer. SGGSA will continue to operate and provide the services provided by CNS. CNS programming will remain the same. Rates also are expected to continue to remain competitive to other providers in our communities

• The cities of Cairo, Camilla, Moultrie and Thomasville will continue to provide billing services on behalf of the SGGSA. This means customers will see no change in where to direct their payments. Customers will also report all maintenance requests and schedule installations through the existing channels.

• Deployment and development of advanced services: This transaction also is believed to easily allow for the deployment of advanced technologies and the development of new and innovative products and services. Together, the cities of Cairo, Camilla, Moultrie and Thomasville can share united resources under the SGGSA in an effort to make the system stronger.

• Expansion opportunities: There is a greater opportunity for continued expansion after the assets are consolidated under the SGGSA. Currently, the communities outside of the four partner cities include Baconton, Pelham, Norman Park and Doerun. Consolidation could allow for improved operating efficiencies that could perhaps lead to future expansion into other communities.

• Benefits of scale: The transaction will generate significant cost savings and other efficiencies, which will ultimately benefit customers. Scale enables better customer experiences, and the consolidation will improve CNS’ ability to compete against its national competitors such as Mediacom, DirecTV and DISH, as well as telcos such as Windstream, Verizon and AT&T.

• Broadband market benefits: CNS is seen as a technology leader in broadband services for Southwest Georgia, and customers are projected to benefit from its commitment to maintain and invest in its high-speed data services. CNS has increased Internet speeds routinely, most significantly in 2015 when residential speeds of up to 150 mbps were offered. Additionally, the partner cities have invested significantly in their network, with future investments planned, which will bring faster and more reliable broadband services to customers.

• Benefits for enterprise customers: This transaction will allow CNS increased ability to offer advanced services, like direct fiber connections with dedicated Internet and transport. As a local exchange carrier, CNS also has the ability to serve larger customers with products such as PRIs, SIP services and other telecommunications services provisioned over the CNS fiber optic system. The consolidation will provide much operational and cost efficiency to these business services.

—City of Thomasville