News and Information
Suring, Wi - February 2010
Packerland Broadband enjoyed a great day of comradery with the Suring community on February 16 at the Suring Town hall. Packerland Broadband’s “Sign-Up, Eat-Up” event invited local Suring residents to stop by during the town elections to try out Packerland’s digital video, high-speed Internet and newest communication service, digital telephone.
Residents who stopped by to try out the services were treated to snacks and prizes and given the opportunity to speak to the Packerland experts about the services and how they would work for their specific needs. Those who subscribed to any Packerland service at the event were treated to a free instant installation and also were entered into a prize drawing for a 19” LCD HDTV, which the winner will be announced mid-March.Joe Esbrook, General Manager of Packerland Broadband, was excited about the great turn out and added, “Our mission at Packerland Broadband is to provide state-of-the-art communications services to our rural customers. We are extremely happy and excited to have added Suring, WI to the growing list of high-tech communities we have created. This technology allows someone in Suring, WI to be connected to the rest world and conduct business virtually anywhere.”
Suring is the first of many rural communities throughout Wisconsin and Upper Michigan to have the Packerland Triple-Pak, which includes digital video, high-speed Internet and digital telephone. Packerland is continuing on its mission to bring high-tech services to small town communities.
For more information on Packerland Broadband call (800) 236-8434 or visit packerlandbroadband.com. Packerland Broadband is a broadband video, digital phone and high-speed Internet service provider in rural communities throughout the state of Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula with headquarters in Iron Mountain, MI.
Iron Mountain - October 2009
Joe Esbrook, a communications veteran, comes to Packerland Broadband with 25 years of broadband data, telecommunications and cable TV experience.
Prior to recently being named Director of Operations and General Manager of Packerland Broadband, Esbrook served in the communications industry as Vice President of Northern Michigan Operations for Charter Communications where he was responsible for directing and overseeing the development and growth of Charter Communications Upper Peninsula and Northern Lower Michigan regional cable TV, Broadband and Telephone operations.
Before the sale of Bresnan Communications to Charter Communications in 2000, Joe was in charge of directing and overseeing the development and growth of all of Bresnan Communication’s High-speed Data, Cable Modem Internet, Telephone and Advanced Services Broadband Operations in a five-state region. This included launching new services, project management, sales, marketing, installation and maintenance, technical and customer service and billing. These products included Digital CATV service, Interactive Distance Learning Networks, High-Speed Data, Internet and Intranet Services, Broadband Cable Modem Service, 2-way Video, Private Line Data, Point-to-point and Multi-point Data, and Local and Long Distance Telecommunications Services.
In 1997, with the help of CCI Systems, Joe lead a team of dedicated employees to be among the first cable TV companies in the nation to launch 2-way High-Speed Cable Modem Broadband service over hybrid-fiber COAX (HFC) and went on to gain one of the highest cable modem penetration rates ever seen in the industry.
Esbrook, a lifelong resident of the Upper Peninsula, was born and raised in Iron River, MI and attended West Iron County High School and Northern Michigan University. Joe comes to Packerland Broadband from Michigan Works! The Job Force Board, where he worked as Director of Business and Community Development. He currently resides in Marquette, MI with his wife Jackie and daughter Abbey and also has two sons attending the University of Michigan, Nick (senior) and Josh (sophomore).
“We are excited to have Joe on board and to tap into his experience and knowledge to help us utilize the technological investments we have made in our rural communities to their fullest potential and to help deliver the advanced broadband services our customers need and have been asking for” says John Jamar, President and CEO of CCI Systems.
Packerland Broadband is a regional digital cable TV, telephone and high-speed Internet company, locally owned and operated by CCI Systems of Iron Mountain, MI serving residential, educational, governmental and business customers with advanced fiber optic technologies.
In the short time since purchasing their first systems, Packerland Broadband has aggressively pursued the goal of providing advanced services to small communities that might otherwise not have these services available, allowing them to compete in the global economy.
For more information on Packerland Broadband or to speak with Mr. Esbrook call (800) 236-8434 or visit www.packerlandbroadband.com.
Stephenson, MI. - September, 2009
PACKERLAND BROADBAND enjoyed a beautiful summer day with many local residents at Saz's in Stephenson. This was PACKERLAND BROADBAND's "Sign Up, Eat Up" event where residents could stop by and test drive Digital TV, High-Speed Internet and Phone services that are being offered by PACKERLAND BROADBAND.
Visitors could also sign up to be entered in a drawing to win a Wireless router. Those who signed up for PACKERLAND BROADBAND service were treated to a free lunch at Saz's Ice Cream & Pizza.
General Manager, Dan Plante said "It was a great event and we enjoyed meeting many of the local residents in the Stephenson area. It's always great to get out and meet residents in the communities where we offer service."
A special thanks to Saz's Ice Cream & Pizza in Stephenson for hosting this event. Click here to view photos from the event.
If you are a business in our service area who would like to host a PACKERLAND BROADBAND event please contact Jamie Leiphart at 906-776-2627 or email her at jamie.leiphart@packerlandbroadband.com.
For more information on Packerland Broadband call (800) 236-8434 or visit www.packerlandbroadband.com. Packerland Broadband is a broadband digital cable and high-speed Internet service provider in rural communities throughout the state of Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula with headquarters in Iron Mountain, MI.
Brownsville, WI. - August, 2009
If speed is king in the world of technology, few appreciate this more than the Town of Lomira’s Town Clerk Lauri Betz. A Brownsville resident, Betz was the first person in Dodge County to have high-speed Internet service thanks to Packerland Broadband.
Packerland Broadband recently installed the fastest Internet service in Betz’s rural home office replacing her dial-up service.
“Since having it, I’ve noticed computer updates take only three minutes, compared to the two hours with my old dial-up – that really helps me out,” said Betz.
Packerland Broadband’s mission is to upgrade the fiber optic networks and expand service offerings throughout rural service areas in Wisconsin. “As a small-town company, we take pride in offering smaller communities the high-quality services they deserve,” said General Manager Dan Plante.
For more information on Packerland Broadband call (800) 236-8434 or visit www.packerlandbroadband.com. Packerland Broadband is a broadband digital cable and high-speed Internet service provider in rural communities throughout the state of Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula with headquarters in Iron Mountain, MI.
Laona, WI. - June 15, 2009
Sharla Kitchmaster of Laona, Wis., in Forest County was announced a prize winner on Friday, June 12. Subscribers who signed up for Packerland Broadband Service or upgraded any existing Packerland Service from January through May were automatically entered into the prize drawing. Packerland Broadband's goal was to make residents aware of the digital television transition from analog signals to digital on June 12. A Dell Vostro Laptop was the prize given to Sharla Kitchmaster of Laona, Wis. Kitchmaster is currently taking online classes and said the laptop - her first -- would be a great help to her course work. She was entered into the drawing by upgrading her current cable service to a bundle which included high-speed Internet. "Packerland Broadband wanted to make sure no one was left without a television signal," said Dan Plante, general manager of Packerland Broadband. "As a newer company in the area, it is very important for us to build relationships with our customers that will last for many years to come." Packerland Broadband's mission is to upgrade the fiber optic networks and expand service offerings throughout rural towns in Wisconsin. "As a small-town company, we take pride in being able to offer smaller communities the high-quality services they deserve." For more information on Packerland Broadband services call (800) 236-8434 or visit www.packerlandbroadband.com. Packerland Broadband is a broadband digital cable and high-speed Internet service provider in rural communities throughout the state of Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula located in Iron Mountain, MI.
Gillett, WI. - June 15, 2009
Phillip Wozniak of Gillett, Wis., in Oconto County was announced a prize winner on Friday, June 12. Subscribers who signed up for Packerland Broadband Service or upgraded any existing Packerland Service from January through May were automatically entered into the prize drawing. Packerland Broadband's goal was to make residents aware of the digital television transition from analog signals to digital on June 12. Wozniak won a 19" Haier flat-screen LCD TV/DVD combination after subscribing to new Packerland Broadband services. lPackerland Broadband wanted to make sure no one was left without a television signal," said Dan Plante, general manager of Packerland Broadband. "As a newer company in the area, it is very important for us to build relationships with our customers that will last for many years to come." Packerland Broadband's mission is to upgrade the fiber optic networks and expand service offerings throughout rural towns in Wisconsin. "As a small-town company, we take pride in being able to offer smaller communities the high-quality services they deserve." For more information on Packerland Broadband services call (800) 236-8434 or visit www.packerlandbroadband.com. Packerland Broadband is a broadband digital cable and high-speed Internet service provider in rural communities throughout the state of Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula located in Iron Mountain, MI.
Stephenson, MI. - June 2009
With a recent logo renovation, Packerland Broadband dissolved an inventory of bottled water displaying its old “hometown connection” logo by donating 15 cases to both the Dare to Dream Riders therapeutic riding program and the Midnight Riders 4-H Horse Club of Menominee County.
“At Packerland Broadband, we enjoy being involved in the communities we serve,” said Dan Plante, General Manager of Packerland Broadband. “Though we could no longer use the water bottles as a promotion, given its older logo, we wanted to donate the water to worthy causes.”
The Dare to Dream Riders therapeutic riding program and the Midnight Riders 4-H Horse Club of Menominee County said they were grateful for the contribution.
“We are extremely pleased that Packerland Broadband recognizes the importance of the Dare to Dream Riders therapeutic riding program and the dedication of our volunteers to see to it that each rider gets the opportunity to work with and ride a horse, despite disabilities,” said Cheri Leiphart, who accepted the donation on behalf of the Dare to Dream Riders.
The Midnight Riders 4-H horse club was also delighted to receive the donation at their recent horse show. “It was a refreshing treat and we can’t thank Packerland Broadband enough,” said Nita Gomske, leader of the 4-H Club in Menominee County. “We’re just thrilled they want to be involved with our 4-H events - that’s just awesome!”
Packerland Broadband’s new logo complements the positive developments Packerland has made in upgrading high-speed internet, video and voice systems throughout the last year. The new logo represents Packerland’s tradition of friendliness, honesty, and dedication to small rural towns yet features a fresh, new, contemporary feel.
Packerland Broadband’s mission is to upgrade the fiber optic networks and expand service offerings throughout rural service areas in Wisconsin and the Upper Penninsula. “As a small-town company, we take pride in offering smaller communities the high-quality services they deserve,” said Plante.
For more information on Packerland Broadband call (800) 236-8434 or visit www.packerlandbroadband.com. Packerland Broadband is a broadband digital cable and high-speed Internet service provider in rural communities throughout the state of Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula with headquarters in Iron Mountain, MI.
May 2009
Packerland Broadband was recently featured in the May issue of Upper Peninsula Business Today. The article is on page 7 of the May issue.
Visit the Upper Peninsula Business Today home page: http://www.upbiztoday.com/
Gillett, WI - January 21, 2009
Packerland Broadband, your hometown video and internet service provider, worked with the Gillett School system to help raise money for the school’s technology club. In May of 2008 Packerland Broadband (PLBB) started the “Gives Back” promotion, by donating a portion of their installation charges to the Gillett School. PLBB gave $20.00 for each cable or Internet installation and $30.00 for a combination of the two. There were no restrictions on where the money could be used, as long as the students were benefiting, so the Gillett School system chose to use the money for the Technology Club. By subscribing to new PLBB services, the community of Gillett has so far been able to raise $150.00 for the school.
Peter Hassler, Gillett Schools Technology Coordinator, was very pleased with Packerland’s donation and said, “We will be putting the money towards purchasing video equipment so students from first through twelfth grade will have the opportunity to edit video. We will also be able to use the bottled water donated by Packerland in our after school technology classes.” Packerland wants to assist local schools in purchasing video and computer equipment to help increase the student’s technology awareness and believes this program will help do so.
Just recently, Packerland Broadband announced they would be running the same promotion for the Gillett School System again through 03/31/2009. Dan Plante, General Manager of PLBB, encourages all community members to help participate in the promotion. “This is a great way to give the kids a chance to get more involved with learning new technologies” he said, “mention the Gillett Schools promotion to receive free installation and a free month of service and by doing so you will be helping Packerland Broadband make a donation to the school.” For more information on the Gives Back program or to sign up for Packerland Broadband services call 800-236-8434 or visit www.packerlandbroadband.com