Frontier Communications has signed an agreement with Hughes Network Systems, the provider of satellite services, to be able to offer Internet services to people in rural areas who normally would not be able to get either DSL or cable broadband.

Frontier officials say that amounts to about three or four percent of people in their coverage area. Frontier has branded the new service as "Frontier Broadband" and they hope to offer the service in the next month or two.

Frontier Communications Chairwoman Ann Burr tells WHAM News that pricing for the new service would include a menu of packages based on the speed and the capacity desired. The speeds available would be similar to some of the DSL speeds that Frontier now provides.

The service also involves installing a satellite dish, described as being a bit smaller than the standard satellite TV dish.