Windstream, a leading provider of advanced network communications, today announced it has completed the first stage of its cable upgrade plan in North Georgia, enabling more than 6,000 households in Blairsville (Union County) to have access to up to 100 megabits-per-second (Mbps) internet speeds. The cable upgrade plan, announced late last year, will provide high speeds to more than 67,000 households by the end of 2017.

After completion of the project, Windstream will have upgraded eligible customers across 13 communities in North Georgia, including Blairsville, Hiawassee, Young Harris, Dawsonville, Helen, Homer, Cornelia, Commerce, Jefferson, Clarkesville, Nicholson, Dahlonega and Cleveland, as well as Hayesville, N.C.

“We are working hard to give our customers in North Georgia the Internet experience they deserve,” said Jarrod (“J”) Berkshire, president of operations for Windstream in Georgia. “Many of our employees live, work and raise their families in North Georgia, and they are working tirelessly to make faster speeds and more reliable service available to customers. While we still have a lot of work ahead, this upgrade represents a significant milestone and testament to their hard work and Windstream’s commitment to the North Georgia community.”

With 100Mbps, North Georgia residents in these communities will be able to:

• Download a 1 GB HD video in as little as 1 minute, 25 seconds
• Download a High-Quality Full-Length Album in as little as 4 seconds
• Download 100 Hi-Res Photos in as little as 16 seconds
• Play games online with less lag
• Enjoy almost seamless video chatting

For questions about these upgrades and your home's eligibility, please call 866-445-8825.