CUE Band Sells Troy Broadband Business to Columbus Company
By Ann WishartRelief is in sight for Troy Township residents desperate for high-speed Internet connections.Jim Chickerella announced last week his company, Ripflo Network, has taken…
By Ann Wishart
Relief is in sight for Troy Township residents desperate for high-speed Internet connections.
Jim Chickerella announced last week his company, Ripflo Network, has taken over the Internet operations started by CUE Band about a year ago.
“Ripflo will transfer the Internet access, billing and customer service without service interruption to existing customers over the next few days,” he said. “Existing customer service type does not change with the transfer pro-cess.”
Geauga County Commissioner Tracy Jemison said Tuesday that Chickerella, who is based out of Columbus, was a 40 percent stakeholder in the CUE Band operation that uses WiMAX to connect users via broadcast equipment on a centralized radio tower.
The signals can be captured by homes that have the receiving equip-ment installed.
Getting that equipment installed has been a challenge for CUE Band and owner Dave Waddell.
Jemison said Chickerella bought Waddell out and the stalled installations should be continuing soon.
“This move will allow new customers to be connected,” Jemison said. ” Jim will be able to grow this system like we’d planned.”
Chickerella sent out a press release on July 4 announcing his intentions and reassuring CUE Band customers they will be taken care of.
“The service transfer to Ripflo will be seamless to our customers. However they will notice vastly improved cus-tomer service, a new invoice and growth within the community,” he said. “I want to thank existing customers for con-tinued support of Ripflo and I look forward to renewing relations. “
Ripflo is in need of new customers and their equipment will be installed within 45 days, he said.
Stu Johnson of Connect Ohio said the area is lucky Chickerella stepped up when CUE Band hit the wall.
Sometimes companies that can’t make the service work will just fold up and leave those customers in the lurch.
“It’s too bad. The numbers are so hard to make work,” Johnson said. “The good news is Jim is there to salvage (it).”
Address questions via email to ripflo@columbus.rr.com or by phone to 1-855-374-7356.
