Rochester, MN AM News) - Rochester is getting another cable TV franchise.

The City Council Monday evening approved a franchise agreement with MetroNet and work on setting up its fiber-optic network is expected to begin this year.

Charter is the only other cable TV operator in the city. Like Charter, MetroNet is expected to also offer broadband and voice service.

Under terms of the agreement, MetroNet will have 5 years to build a system that’s large enough to serve 80-percent of the city’s residential units.

Indiana-based MetroNet currently operates systems in more than 50 cities in Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky.

Here is more info on MetroNet:

Headquartered in Evansville, Indiana, MetroNet is a customer-focused company providing cutting-edge fiber optic telecommunication services, including high-speed Fiber Internet, full-featured Fiber Phone, Fiber IPTV with a wide variety of programming, and a home security product called MetroNet SmartHome.

We got our start in 2005, with our first fiber optic network in Greencastle, Indiana, and have since expanded into 50+ communities throughout Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. All MetroNet services are delivered across our 100% fiber-optic network made up of thousands of miles of fiber optic cables connected directly to homes and businesses.

At MetroNet, we are committed to bringing state-of-the-art telecommunication services to the communities we serve delivering services that are comparable or superior to those offered in large metropolitan areas. This commitment not only means better TV, Internet, and phone options for our customers today but also the capacity to continually provide additional products and services in the future as new uses for 100% fiber are developed.

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