Connect Ohio Helps to Expand Internet Access in Crawford County and Liberty Township

Contact: Amanda Murphy 

amurphy@connectohio.org 

614-220-0190 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

October 27, 2011 

WaveLinc now provides high-speed Internet access to Sulfur Springs in collaboration with Liberty Township Fire Department 

Columbus, Ohio – Connect Ohio is pleased to be part of the collaborative efforts of broadband provider WaveLinc and Liberty Township Fire Department- to expand high-speed Internet access to homes and businesses in Crawford County through a recent expansion tower.

According to fire chief- Rick Harley, the Liberty Township Fire Department was looking to build a communications tower for the fire station, which has always been in a “dead area” for broadband, radio traffic, and cell phone service. WaveLinc presented a broadband expansion plan- after hearing the fire department was looking to build a tower.

Connect Ohio worked in assisting the provider and the county commissioners in discussing the use and regulations of the tower. The plan was proposed by WaveLinc after many residents showed a growing interest in having home broadband, according to Kurt Fankhauser, owner of WaveLinc.

Crawford County officials accepted the proposed agreement with WaveLinc to share the tower in order to bring broadband to Sulfur Springs.

“Having high-speed Internet is certainly better. The tower is a win-win situation,” said Harley. “I’ve looked at it as a community service. It’s helping us out, and it’s helping others in the community who want high-speed Internet that weren’t able to get it before.”

The new tower is currently providing wireless broadband service to a dozen homes that did not have it before. The tower could provide service for several hundred homes if the town were to expand.

“It is exciting to see community leaders cooperating with a local broadband provider to offer high-speed Internet to residents who otherwise would be left behind,” said Bart Winegar, Technical Outreach Manager for Connect Ohio.

According to Connect Ohio’s 2011 Residential Technology Assessment for Crawford County, where Liberty Township is located, 69% of households receive broadband service to the home, which is more than the state average of 66%.

Other Crawford County technology figures:

• Of the 69% of residents who subscribe to broadband, 63% claim to be satisfied, 36% are somewhat satisfied, and 1% say they are not satisfied with their service
• For those who do not subscribe to home broadband service, 33% claim they do not need broadband, 38% do not own a computer, and 24% say broadband is too expensive
• The average monthly cost for home broadband service in Crawford County is$43.37, just below the state average of $43.41

For more information on WaveLinc, visit http://www.wavelinc.com/

Additional Crawford County technology research can be found at http://connectohio.org/_documents/Technology_Assessment_Crawford_County_2011.pdf 

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About Connect Ohio: Connect Ohio, a division of Connected Nation, is a nonprofit, technology-neutral public-private partnership that works with telecommunications providers, business and community leaders, information technology companies, researchers, public agencies, libraries and universities in an effort to help extend affordable high-speed Internet service to every Ohio household. For more information about what Connect Ohio is doing to accelerate technology in Ohio's communities, visit http://www.connectohio.org

Related Links: Connect Ohio on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ConnectOhio 
Connect Ohio on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ConnectOH

Connect Ohio Report Reveals Broadband Adoption Varies Significantly Across Socioeconomic Lines

For Immediate Release
October 19, 2011 

Media Contact: Amanda Murphy 

amurphy@connectohio.org

(614) 220-0190

Access the Findings 

New Connect Ohio online interactive tool illustrates existing technology adoption gaps and barriers in the state 

Columbus, OH — A new interactive application is now available on the Connect Ohio website that gives a comprehensive view of the challenges and opportunities for expanding broadband in targeted sectors. Most notably, a large percentage of low-income, senior, disabled adult, and rural households are without broadband at home, leaving them facing an uphill battle in keeping up with essential online resources, job and educational opportunities, and social services.

"Nearly one-third of Ohio households are not utilizing the digital opportunities of the Internet and this number is significantly larger among specific demographics,” Connect Ohio Executive Director Stu Johnson said. “The Internet opens a world of opportunity. Connect Ohio wants to ensure all Ohioans have access to the Internet's many benefits."

Ohio-specific technology adoption results and comparisons are available on the new consumer trends widget. This interactive tool gives people the ability to view, share, and download the results of the Ohio Residential Technology Assessment, data gathered by Connect Ohio and Connected Nation through a 2011 survey of more than 1200 Ohio adults. Below are some key findings: 

• Broadband adoption among low-income households in Ohio is 39%, well below the state average of 66%. • Computer ownership among disabled adults in Ohio is 58%, below the state average of 80%.
• According to the research, broadband and computer adoption is lagging among African-Americans and Hispanics in Ohio.
• The main barriers given for not subscribing to broadband are cost and not seeing a need for the technology.

Connect Ohio is a statewide public-private partnership working to increase broadband expansion and technology adoption through programs such as last mile technical outreach and Every Citizen Online.

For more information on Connect Ohio’s programs, visit http://connectohio.org. 

Download: Ohio Residential Technology Adoption Overview 

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About Connect Ohio: Connect Ohio, a division of Connected Nation, is a nonprofit, technology-neutral public-private partnership that works with telecommunications providers, business and community leaders, information technology companies, researchers, public agencies, libraries and universities in an effort to help extend affordable high-speed Internet service to every Ohio household. For more information about what Connect Ohio is doing to accelerate technology in Ohio's communities, visit http://www.connectohio.org

Connect Ohio Announces New Executive Director to Continue Focus on Broadband Access, Adoption, and Use

 For Immediate Release 

October 14, 2011

Contact: Amanda Murphy 

614-220-0190 

amurphy@connectohio.org 

COLUMBUS – Connect Ohio is proud to announce new leadership within the organization. Stu Johnson has been named executive director of Connect Ohio, leading the nonprofit public-private partnership into 2012 with plans to maintain and build the statewide Every Citizen Online program and to continue being instrumental in identifying underserved broadband markets and facilitating partnerships and funding to create successful expansion efforts.

Johnson has 22 years of executive level telecommunications experience and joins Connect Ohio after serving as CEO of Network Advantage LLC, a nationwide consulting company specializing in new ventures and turnarounds with an emphasis on technology and telecommunications. He holds a bachelor of science degree in finance from The Ohio State University.

“Connect Ohio enjoys tremendous trajectory on all fronts,” said Johnson. “I am fully committed to the organization’s mission of expanding broadband access and adoption to Ohioans and am most honored to carry forward that mission as Connect Ohio’s executive director.”

Since 2008, Connect Ohio has provided advanced research about Ohio’s broadband infrastructure and technology adoption, as well as the coordination of statewide programs to increase the use of technology. Currently, just 66% of Ohio households subscribe to broadband service. Twenty percent of households do not have a computer and 18% of Ohioans do not access the Internet (from home or any other place). Connect Ohio’s programs expand broadband access and adoption of businesses and citizens in an effort to improve the state’s economy and the daily lives of Ohioans.

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About Connect Ohio: Connect Ohio, a division of Connected Nation, is a nonprofit, technology-neutral public-private partnership that works with telecommunications providers, business and community leaders, information technology companies, researchers, public agencies, libraries, and universities in an effort to help extend affordable high-speed Internet service to every Ohio household.
 For more information about what Connect Ohio is doing to accelerate technology in Ohio's communities, visit http://www.connectohio.org.

Related Links: Connect Ohio on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ConnectOhio
Connect Ohio on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ConnectOH