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Fiber-optic network planned for Jax Beach, Mandarin and Clay County

IQ Fiber is expanding its fiber-optic network to Jacksonville Beach.
IQ Fiber
IQ Fiber is expanding its fiber-optic network to Jacksonville Beach.

A growing internet provider based in Jacksonville is expanding speedy fiber-optic coverage to Jax Beach, Beaucleric, Mandarin and its first areas in Clay County: Orange Park and Fleming Island.

IQ Fiber recently activated its fiber-to-home network in San Jose Forest, and its San Marco and Atlantic Beach networks will be coming online in the next several months, the company said.

Design and engineering for the latest expansion is already complete. Construction of the fiber-optic network will begin over the next several weeks, IQ Fiber said in a news release.

IQ Fiber's network is capable of symmetrical speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second — meaning the same speed for uploads and downloads. IQ Fiber offers plans ranging from 250 to 1,000 Mbps, at prices between $65 and $85 per month, according to the company's website.

At 1,000 Mpbs, you could download a high-definition movie in about 34 seconds.

IQ Fiber says its network consists of underground conduit and fiber-optic cables that extend directly into a customer's home, allowing faster internet speeds.

Faster broadband has become important as more people work at home and connect more digital devices. IQ Fiber says broadband usage is increasing 25% per year in the U.S.

IQ Fiber advertises service without a contract, no hidden fees, no speed throttling and whole-home Wi-Fi coverage.

Randy comes to Jacksonville from the South Florida Sun Sentinel, where, as metro editor, he led investigative coverage of the Parkland school shooting that won the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for public service. He has spent more than 40 years in reporting and editing positions in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio and Florida. You can reach Randy at rroguski@wjct.org or on Twitter, @rroguski.