Connect Ohio’s Technical Outreach Mapping & Research aids Broadband Expansion in Gallia County

Contact: Amanda Murphy 

614-220-0190 or amurphy@connectohio.org 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

September 26, 2011 

A lease agreement between JB Nets and county officials for the use of three towers will provide high-speed Internet access to more than a thousand homes in rural Gallia County 

Columbus, Ohio – Connect Ohio is pleased to be part of the collaborative efforts of Gallia County officials and broadband provider JB Nets to expand high-speed Internet access to homes and businesses with a recently signed lease agreement for three county-owned towers.

JB Nets presented a broadband expansion business plan, which included Google Earth mapping of propagation studies and a business case analysis template designed by Connect Ohio, to Gallia County officials just over a week ago. According to Jake Kline, owner of JB Nets, the plan includes high-speed Internet coverage to 80% of the county within the next three years and the creation of at least two, but possibly three, full-time jobs.

“These three initial towers should be able to expand (Internet coverage) to 450-500 households,” said Kline. “However, our proposal also included 30 additional secondary towers to fill in gaps. We estimate approximately 1,200-1,400 total additional households that could receive service from us with all 33 towers constructed.”

Gallia County officials accepted the proposal and have signed lease agreements with JB Nets for the use of the three county-owned 911 communications towers, located in Gallipolis Township, Harrison Township, and Ohio Township.

“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.

“The information Connect Ohio provided us was very useful in putting together our business plan/proposal,” said Kline.

According to Connect Ohio’s 2011 Residential Technology Assessment for Gallia County, only 42% of households receive broadband service to the home, significantly less than the state average of 66%.

Other Gallia County technology figures:

• Sixty-seven percent of Gallia County residents own a computer, which is less than the state average of 80% 
• Of the 33% of residents who do not own a computer, 71% claim they do not need a computer, 21% say computers are too complicated, and 20% say computers are too expensive 
• Seventy-five percent of residents access the Internet from home or some other location 
• The average monthly cost for home broadband service in Gallia County is $50.83, above the state average of $43.41 

For more information on JB Nets, visit http://jbnets.net.

Additional Gallia County technology research can be found at http://connectohio.org/_documents/Technology_Assessment_Gallia_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 Provides Broadband Expansion Model to Perry County Officials

Contact: Amanda Murphy

614-220-0190 or amurphy@connectohio.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 21, 2011

Results from Connect Ohio’s analysis may be used to expand high-speed Internet and improve EMA, 911 communications in Perry County

COLUMBUS – Connect Ohio staff presented Perry County officials with information that paves the way for greater broadband access and emergency communication for the area.

Connect Ohio’s technical outreach team presented results of a broadband expansion study that may be combined with a local initiative to improve Perry County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and 911 communication systems at a meeting Thursday in New Lexington. The meeting was led by Brent Runge, Perry County 911 program manager, and was attended by the Perry County commissioners, Perry County Sheriff’s Office and local fire personnel, Ohio Multi-Agency Radio Communication System (MARCS) personnel, representatives from Perry County Job and Family Services, State Representative Bill Hayes of Ohio’s 91st House District, and representatives from the offices of Congressman Steve Austria, Ohio’s 7th District, Ohio Senator Rob Portman, and Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown.

Connect Ohio Technical Outreach Manager Bart Winegar and coordinator Ira Dye presented attendees with the data collection, cost estimates, and propagation studies for the broadband expansion model customized for the county. The broadband study is part of a larger plan that will result in enhanced first responder services and high-speed Internet for Perry County.

“Perry County has assembled a strong team with first-hand experience and the ability to get things done,” said Winegar. “Today, state and federal representatives were able to experience presentations that demonstrated the needs of Perry County citizens and an excellent plan to address those needs.”

The next step is to complete funding efforts that are already underway for this Perry County project.

According to Connect Ohio’s 2011 Consumer Technology Assessment for Perry County, 64% of households receive broadband service to the home, less than the state average of 66%. Below is additional Perry County technology figures:

• 81% of Perry County residents own a computer, slightly above the state average of 80%
• Of the 19% of residents who do not own a computer, 64% claim they do not need a computer and 24% say computers are too complicated
• 80% of residents access the Internet from home or some other location
• The average monthly cost for home broadband service in Perry County is $36.82, below the state average of $43.41

Additional Perry County technology research can be found at
http://connectohio.org/_documents/Technology_Assessment_Perry_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 Provides Broadband Expansion Model to Gallia County Officials

Contact: Amanda Murphy

614-220-0190 or amurphy@connectohio.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 21, 2011

Results from Connect Ohio’s analysis could be used to expand high-speed Internet in Gallia County

COLUMBUS – Connect Ohio staff presented Gallia County officials with information that paves the way for greater broadband access for county residents.

Connect Ohio’s technical outreach team has been working for months and provided a model for broadband expansion that is financially viable and sustainable at a meeting Wednesday in Gallipolis. Gallia County officials in attendance include Harold Montgomery, commissioner, Melissa Clark, economic and community development director, Jake Bodimer, economic and community development assistant director, as well as representatives from JB Nets, a local wireless Internet service provider, and Kinglsey Meyer, CIO of Rio Grande University.

Connect Ohio Technical Outreach Manager Bart Winegar and coordinator Ira Dye presented attendees with the data collection, cost estimates, and propagation studies for the expansion model customized for Gallia County, which can be utilized by an Internet service provider to bring broadband service to unserved and underserved areas.

“We have been waiting for information like this to put together an accurate business plan,” said Stephen Kline of JB Nets.

Gallia County officials have voiced their commitment toward creating a favorable environment for broadband expansion to occur.

“I am very encouraged by the enthusiasm and commitment of Gallia County officials to support broadband expansion and to leverage the propagation and business case analysis,” said Winegar.

JB Nets is utilizing the model presented by Connect Ohio to create a business plan for possible expansion throughout the county. The next step toward making the expansion a reality will be forming agreements with controlling authorities of area towers and infrastructure to enable the placement of broadband connections.

According to Connect Ohio’s 2011 Consumer Technology Assessment for Gallia County, only 42% of households receive broadband service to the home, significantly less than the state average of 66%. Below are additional Gallia County technology figures:

• 67% of Gallia County residents own a computer, which is less than the state average of 80%
• Of the 33% of residents who do not own a computer, 71% claim they do not need a computer, 21% say computers are too complicated, and 20% say computers are too expensive
• 75% of residents access the Internet from home or some other location
• The average monthly cost for home broadband service in Gallia County is $50.83, above the state average of $43.41

Additional Gallia County technology research can be found at http://connectohio.org/_documents/Technology_Assessment_Gallia_County_2011.pdf.

For more information on JB Nets, visit http://jbnets.net.

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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 Applauds Knox Township Tower Dedication & Omnicity, Inc.’s Efforts to Expand Broadband Availability in Columbiana County

Connect Ohio Applauds Knox Township Tower Dedication & Omnicity, Inc.’s Efforts to Expand Broadband Availability in Columbiana County

Contact: Amanda Murphy

614-220-0190 or amurphy@connectohio.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 1, 2011

The new MARCS tower will provide high-speed Internet access to hundreds of homes in Columbiana County and has already improved local first-responder communications.

Alliance, Ohio – Connect Ohio is pleased to be part of the collaborative efforts of Knox Township and Columbiana County officials, MARCS (Multi-Agency Radio Communication System) program staff, Tri-County Tower, and Omnicity, Inc. to expand broadband access to residences, business, and schools throughout the area, as well as improving first-responder communications, with the dedication of the new Knox Township MARCS tower.

A dedication ceremony and formal ribbon-cutting event took place Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at the tower’s location, which is directly across the street from Knox Elementary School, located at 2900 Knox School Road, Alliance.

The new MARCS tower was a nearly two-year project that began in 2009, with Columbiana County Port Authority and Omnicity, Inc. advocating the possibilities of broadband expansion. The infrastructure was completed in December 2010 and the broadband and communication connectivity was completed in Spring 2011. The tower stands 250 feet high and is supported by 3 piers that run 32 feet into the ground.

“This is the first tower in Ohio with fiber optics running to the tower itself, as well as a new technology known as WiMAX, which allows the opportunity for 4G capabilities and to upgrade connectivity speeds without replacing ground equipment,” said David Weddell, vice president of business development and corporate partnerships with Omnicity, Inc., a fixed-wireless Internet provider. “This represents our model for our future deployments. We’ll offer multiple services over this broadband connection.”

“A lot of people in this area have no Internet connection and some, not even cable,” said Columbiana County Commissioner Jim Hoppel. “This tower is a big advantage and it’s just a start. The community is very excited.”

According to Connect Ohio’s 2008 Consumer Technology Assessment for Columbiana County, 43% of households received broadband service to the home, significantly less than the state average at the time, which was 55%.* Additional Columbiana County technology statistics can be found on Connect Ohio’s website or by visiting the following link: http://connectohio.org/mapping_and_research/county_profiles/columbiana. OmniCity, Inc. began serving customers in the Knox Township area on April 1, 2011. The company plans to eventually serve about 300 homes from this single tower, and deploy additional towers and broadband service in the near future.

“This project is a great example of what can be accomplished with public-private partnerships to serve the fundamental needs of rural communities,” said Bart Winegar, technical outreach manager for Connect Ohio. “Hopefully, we can replicate this model in other rural areas.”

“Connect Ohio is providing two great things for us during this process,” said Weddell. “They are providing propagation studies and business models for us to know where to build and deploy, as well as assisting us with partnerships. Secondly, we can build it, but we need people to use it. Connect Ohio is helping with that by teaching adults how to use broadband (through the statewide Every Citizen Online program).”

For more information about the Every Citizen Online program, visit http://connectohio.org/consumer_training.

*A 2011 Residential Technology Assessment for each county will be available later this year.

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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

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Connect Ohio Applauds Washington County RFP Release and Efforts to Expand Broadband Availability

Contact: Amanda Murphy

614-220-0190 or amurphy@connectohio.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 6, 2011

County Commissioners, with the help of Connect Ohio, have released an RFP for Wireless Internet Service Providers, which would allow for high-speed Internet to reach a majority of county households.

COLUMBUS –Washington County Commissioners, along with assistance from Connect Ohio and Buckeye Hill-Hocking Valley Regional Development District LDD GIS department, has announced the release of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the construction of a wireless broadband network throughout the county.

Commissioners Cora Marshall, Timothy Irvine, and Steven Weber released the proposal as an invitation to Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISP) to expand the access and availability of broadband Internet services to commercial, residential, and publically owned locations in Washington County.

According to the RFP, it was created with the following two objectives:

• Expand broadband throughout Washington County, especially in unserved and underserved areas at or below current market rates
• Expand no charge law enforcement and lower cost first responder data network access throughout Washington County

The RFP also details initiatives undertaken to assist the WISP in the expansion efforts and includes the following:

• Secured access to 10 Multi Agency Radio Communications System Towers (MARCS)
• Access to county-owned vertical assets
• Secured participation by majority of area water authorities with access to 17 water and communication towers
• Customized GIS layers with Dot-On-House information
• Signal distribution analysis and business case model provided by Connect Ohio

The contact person for Washington County’s RFP project is Eric Skomra, county IT director. He can be reached at (740) 374-6623, ext. 301 or eskomra@wcgov.org.

“The Washington County Commissioners recognize the importance of broadband availability for all county citizens, especially those that live in rural areas,” said Bart Winegar, Connect Ohio technical outreach manager. “The Commissioners are doing all they can to attract broadband providers to the unserved areas and this RFP is evidence of their efforts.”

Connect Ohio technical outreach staff had the opportunity to work closely with Washington County officials and Buckeye Hill-Hocking Valley Regional Development District LDD GIS department, completing data collection, cost estimates, and propagation studies. Connect Ohio used the data to provide a customized business model for broadband expansion for the county, which is included in the RFP.

“Bart Winegar and Ira Dye of Connect Ohio have done a phenomenal job taking the data we provided and producing a strong, viable business case for Wireless Broadband delivery in Washington County,” shared Skomra. “I believe any WISP who reviews the detailed data and the analysis provided will be highly compelled to participate in our RFP.”

According to Connect Ohio’s 2008 Consumer Technology Assessment for Washington County, only 37% of households received broadband service to the home, significantly less than the state average at the time, which was 55%.*

Additional Washington County technology statistics can be found on Connect Ohio’s website or by visiting the following link: http://connectohio.org/mapping_and_research/county_profiles/washington/.

*A 2011 Residential Technology Assessment for each county will be available later this year.

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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

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Connect Ohio Provides Broadband Expansion Model to Washington County Commissioners

Connect Ohio Provides Broadband Expansion Model to Washington County Commissioners

Contact: Amanda Murphy
614-220-0190 or amurphy@connectohio.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2011

Connect Ohio’s model would allow high-speed Internet to reach a majority of Washington County households.

COLUMBUS – Connect Ohio staff presented Washington County officials today with information that paves the way for greater broadband access for county residents.

Connect Ohio’s technical outreach team has been working closely with Washington County officials for months and provided a preliminary model for broadband expansion that is financially viable and sustainable at today’s county commissioner meeting in Marietta. A finalized report will be completed and delivered in the coming weeks.

The model is a result of the collaborative efforts between Connect Ohio and county commissioners Samuel Cook, Cora Marshall, and Steven Weber, county IT administrator Eric Skomra, and Buckeye Hill–Hocking Valley Regional Development District LDD GIS Department’s Bret Allphin and Jason Pyles.

Connect Ohio technical outreach manager Bart Winegar and coordinator Ira Dye presented commissioners with the preliminary data collection, cost estimates, and propagation studies for the expansion model customized for Washington County. The model can be utilized for Washington County’s draft of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Internet service providers to expand in the area. A completed RFP is expected to be released in early May.

“Connect Ohio has, in a sense, answered all of the difficult questions that a WISP (Wireless Service Provider) would ask,” said Skomra.

Washington County commissioners have already secured agreements to utilize Multi-Agency Radio Communications Systems (MARCS) towers throughout the county, leveraging existing infrastructure in order to distribute broadband signals to homes and businesses.

“We are very close to concluding a study that began over a year ago,” said Winegar. “We are excited about the potential of this study to be used to bring broadband to the unserved citizens of Washington County.”

“There’s a huge amount of work that’s gone into this (model),” said Skomra. “I couldn’t be more pleased with Connect Ohio, Buckeye Hill, and everyone involved.”

According to Connect Ohio’s 2008 Consumer Technology Assessment for Washington County, only 37% of households received broadband service to the home, significantly less than the state average at the time, which was 55%.*

“I can’t wait to see the end product of this effort,” said Allphin.

In a few weeks, the group will reconvene to discuss the next steps needed to make the model a reality.

Those in attendance for Thursday’s meeting included:

Tim Irvine, Washington County commissioner
Cora Marshall, Washington County commissioner
Steven Weber, Washington County commissioner
Rick Peoples, Washington County commissioner’s clerk
Eric Skomra, Washington County IT administrator
Bret Allphin, Buckeye Hills–Hocking Valley Regional Development District
Jason Pyles, Buckeye Hills–Hocking Valley Regional Development District
Richard Hays, Washington County 911 coordinator
Ira Dye, technical outreach coordinator of Connect Ohio
Tom Fritz, executive director of Connect Ohio
Bart Winegar, technical outreach manager of Connect Ohio
Tom Ferree, chief operating officer of Connected Nation

*A 2011 Residential Technology Assessment for each county will be available later this year.

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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

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Connect Ohio Technical Outreach Team Provides Broadband Expansion Model to Morgan County Officials

Connect Ohio Technical Outreach Team Provides Broadband Expansion Model to Morgan County Officials

Contact: Amanda Murphy

614-220-0190 or amurphy@connectohio.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 17, 2011

Connect Ohio’s model would allow high-speed Internet to reach a majority of Morgan County households.

COLUMBUS – Connect Ohio technical outreach staff presented Morgan County officials with a financially viable and sustainable broadband expansion model in a meeting Wednesday, March 16, at the Morgan County Extension Agent in McConnelsville, Ohio.

Following months of data collection, cost estimation, and propagation studies by Connect Ohio technical outreach manager Bart Winegar, coordinator Ira Dye, and Matthew Pepper of Chesterhill municipal wireless Internet service provider, the model was presented to Morgan County officials for review. The model leverages efforts from local eCommunity Strategy planning that began in 2009 with the assistance of Connect Ohio. Many local leaders participated in these early meetings and provided valuable input.

“This presentation was the culmination of a lot of work,” said Winegar. “I’m encouraged that county commissioners and economic development staff were present and agreed to take time to review the model.”

According to Connect Ohio’s 2008 Consumer Technology Assessment for Morgan County, only 25% of households received broadband service to the home, significantly less than the state average at the time, which was 55%.*

“This is positive for the area and the residents of Morgan County,” said Pepper. “(Broadband) adoption is not the issue. Availability is the issue.”

In a few weeks, the group will reconvene to discuss the next steps needed to make the model a reality.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to provide a service to so many unserved households,” said Shannon Wells, director of the Morgan County Development Office.

Those in attendance for Wednesday’s meeting included:

Dean Cain, Morgan County commissioner

Steve Hook, Morgan County engineer

Bo Powell, Morgan County Engineer’s Office

Matthew Pepper, Chesterhill municipal wireless Internet service provider

Shannon Wells, director of the Morgan County Development Office

Ira Dye, technical outreach coordinator at Connect Ohio

Tom Fritz, executive director at Connect Ohio

Bart Winegar, technical outreach manager at Connect Ohio

Chip Spann, director of engineering & technical services at Connected Nation

Morgan County libraries and learning centers have also partnered with Connect Ohio to provide Every Citizen Online basic computer and Internet training to adults. The training will introduce new users to a wide range of communication, education, and healthcare tools available online. Interested adults throughout Ohio are eligible to participate in the program, which is being provided locally at the following locations:

-Morgan County Learning Center, located at 4277 N. State Route 376 NW, McConnelsville, (740) 962-2079

-Kate Love Simpson-Morgan County Library, Main Branch, located at 358 E. Main Street, McConnelsville, (740) 962-2533

-Kate Love Simpson-Morgan County Library Chesterhill Branch, located at 7520 Marion Street, Chesterhill, (740) 554-7104

For questions regarding the Every Citizen Online program, contact Amanda Murphy at amurphy@connectohio.org.

*A 2011 Residential Technology Assessment for each county will be available later this year.

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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

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