LATEST RELEASES
Legislature restores broadband funding, removes municipal network ban
Broadband expansion is back on the agenda for the state of Ohio. The state budget conference committee restored the Governor's $190 million broadband funding proposal and removed a controversial amendment that would have prevented local governments from offering broadband services…
Broadband expansion: Ohio Senate cuts funds, limits municipal networks
With the state budget now in conference committee, the Ohio Senate is trying to eliminate the Governor's $190 million broadband expansion package from the bill. Senate president Matt Huffman also has slipped in an amendment that would make it illegal…
Accountability is key to successful rural broadband expansion
Over the last 30 years, the FCC has spent $100 billion to improve rural telecommunications, yet much of Appalachia remains without high speed internet, cell signal, or even reliable landline telephone service. How did this happen, and where did all…
2021 State of the Region Rural Broadband Presentation
At the 2021 Appalachian Ohio State of the Region Conference, Tom Reid outlined the steps needed to bring broadband to all households in the region. With the prospect of significant government funding on the horizon, it is essential to advocate…
Rural Broadband: We must plan for the next 30 years
As the Biden administration gears up to invest billions in rural broadband access, industry insiders like the National Cable TV Association and AT&T have expressed concerns about the high cost of fiber optic technology. While they acknowledge that fiber is…
The True Cost of Rural Broadband
FCC internet subsidy will cover just 20% of cost in rural Ohio. Will it be enough? The Year of the Zoom Meeting has made one thing abundantly clear. If you don't have high speed internet, you can't participate in the…
COMMUNITY VOICES
Broadband is a core utility
We think broadband is a core utility that we must be able to provide to the city. This will help us in attracting new businesses and incentivize people to move here now that so many people can work remotely.
Broadband’s effect on the housing market
Realtors in Coshocton County tell us that the number one question from potential home buyers is broadband speed and availability. Previously, the most common questions were quality of schools and parks. If a house is “Dark” (no broadband), buyers lose interest and look elsewhere for a home that has adequate…
Alarming lack of access in New Philadelphia
The pandemic lockdowns revealed an alarming lack of Internet access for students and adults in New Philadelphia. That added to the difficulties they had in completing homework and receiving vital public health information.
A level playing field starts with broadband
The pandemic-related need for students to take classes from home and employees to work remotely exposed the broadband disparity in Guernsey County and rural America, in general. A level playing field starts with broadband.
Access leads to growth, growth leads to prosperity
We have been unconnected for far too long, access to technology leads to growth, growth leads to prosperity. We have a beautiful landscape in the rolling hills of Appalachia, and it would complete the beauty to be able to connect to the outside world.
Without broadband, we are cut off from the rest of society
The pandemic and its exigencies changed our world. Without reliable access to broadband, our children can no longer compete in this new world where remote learning is a requirement and the Internet is the gateway to the entirety of the world’s information. Our sick and elderly can no longer access…
Video: Interview with Melissa Marolt and Michelle Wright
Two Perry County locals share what it's like to live in a community without reliable, affordable broadband.
Video: Interview with Casey Coffey
When children in small town and rural areas miss out on their right to an education because of lack of broadband, something must be done. Casey Coffey, superintendent of New Lexington City Schools speaks about how he has seen education impacted by lack of broadband.
Placing the Burden on Customers in Beverly, OH
I live outside of Beverly and our house does not have access to high speed internet. I know that Verizon just put a hub down the street from us and I believe it is for Fiber. Spectrum stopped 5 houses down from us. Our neighbor recently contacted Spectrum and they…
Video: Left Behind without Broadband: A Conversation with Fred Redfern
Former mayor of Crooksville, Ohio, Fred Redfern, discusses the challenges that rural communities face due to lack of broadband access, especially as regards the education system.
High School Student Needs Access to the Internet
I have a daughter that is a sophomore at AHS that has been participating in the virtual learning. At our house we only have only one internet provider available, Frontier, and it cuts out 50+ times during a school day every day. They have been out to service it and…