VIDALIA &8212; City leaders will visit Jackson, Tenn., today to explore the possibility of fiber optics.

Vidalia Mayor Hyram Copeland, City Attorney Jack Mclemore, Concordia Parish Economic Development Director Teresa Dennis and Aldermen Ricky Knapp and Triand McCoy will be observing a newly-implemented fiber optics system. A fiber optics package includes cable, high speed Internet and phone services.

Advanced Micro Technologies delivered a proposal at a March town meeting, asking for permission to conduct a feasibility and engineering study. AMT offered information to Copeland outlining steps toward receiving the services. No further studies have been conducted since the meeting, Copeland said.

&8220;(Jackson) is implementing telecommunications with fiber optics and we are going to look at the system they have in place,&8221; Copeland said. &8220;Some have implemented these systems and they have worked very well.&8221;

The emergence of fiber optics for Vidalia would change two major things for the 2,200 households, Copeland said. Meter readers &8212; workers visually inspecting individual meters

&8212; would no longer be used in the area and all readings would be directed to city hall. Internet monitoring of new services would also be available, Copeland said.

&8220;We basically want to bring ourselves into the 21st century,&8221; Copeland said. &8220;This will give us another tool to enhance our community.&8221;

The initial expense of setting up a fiber optic network along with programming and monitoring expenses will be considered in the possibility. Expected losses incurred to a first year business are also issues deserving attention in any decision, Copeland said.

&8220;We won&8217;t know anything until we go, but they have had a successful operation up there and we&8217;re always looking to improve the quality of life here,&8221; he said.

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VIDALIA &8212; City leaders will visit Jackson, Tenn., today to explore the possibility of fiber optics.

Vidalia Mayor Hyram Copeland, City Attorney Jack Mclemore, Concordia Parish Economic Development Director Teresa Dennis and Aldermen Ricky Knapp and Triand McCoy will be observing a newly-implemented fiber optics system. A fiber optics package includes cable, high speed Internet and phone services.

Advanced Micro Technologies delivered a proposal at a March town meeting, asking for permission to conduct a feasibility and engineering study. AMT offered information to Copeland outlining steps toward receiving the services. No further studies have been conducted since the meeting, Copeland said.

&8220;(Jackson) is implementing telecommunications with fiber optics and we are going to look at the system they have in place,&8221; Copeland said. &8220;Some have implemented these systems and they have worked very well.&8221;

The emergence of fiber optics for Vidalia would change two major things for the 2,200 households, Copeland said. Meter read