Will Smaller Upstarts Fill the Broadband Gap?

Broadband coverage in West Virginia has been a source of frustration on all sides. Economic development advocates are frustrated that major providers won't invest more aggressively to fill gaps in small towns and rural areas, effectively shutting off those communities from Internet-based opportunities in e-learning, ecommerce and online health services. Telco providers point to the low "take rate", or the lower percentage of folks in West Virginia who subscribe to broadband Internet service even when it's available, and the risk involved in such hefty investments.

Meanwhile, some smaller telcos are looking at the gap as an opportunity. The Charleston Daily Mail outlines FiberNet's aggressive plans for providing fiber (a MUCH faster broadband technology) throughout major portions of the state through its "Gigabit Passive Optical Network". The company has invested $100 million in the state and now has about 3,000 route miles of fiber, mostly available to businesses. To date, they've deployed GPON in 19 of WV's 55 counties, with plans for expansion. Speeds of up to 100 megabits are available, as compared to the 1-megabit to 7-megabit speed of DSL. The fiber infrastructure lays the groundwork for interactive television and other consumer services in the near future.

David Armentrout, FiberNet's Chief Operating Officer, stated that communities with fiber connectivty can "... can go after businesses that must have 'big' broadband and are looking to relocate and take advantage of West Virginia's quality of life and cost of living."

Here's hoping this spurs on more competitors to provide advanced, high-speed service to West Virginia communities so that more companies like www.twolanelivin.com, www.practicelink.com and others begin to pop up in greater frequency in small towns and rural areas in our state. 

Comments

[Lee]

Jeff,

I really hope that technology enables even small organizations or companies to provide far better broadband. This is a huge issues and I really don't think our current path is remotely addressing the need or untapped demand. We need more people involved, more ideas and approaches on the table. There is such a great opportunity for West Virginia and largely I think we are missing it.

Lee