When Charlene Walker took office as a Freedom Township trustee, one of the first things residents complained about was spotty internet service.
Now a communications company is taking steps to remedy that situation.
Charter Communications unveiled its Rural Broadband program during an event at Freedom Town Hall. The program will increase access to high speed internet in rural areas of Portage County.
Charter is the parent company for Spectrum, whose name appears on the trucks residents will begin to see in the area.
“A lot of people are going to see our trucks and wonder where we’re going next,” said James Higham, an engineer for the company who added they can get updates on Spectrum’s website.
“We’re very excited to bring this service to rural Ohio,” he said.
Rural broadband
Brian Young, director of government affairs for Charter, said the project is being funded by the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. Charter was one of the largest awardees of the grant funding.
The company’s website said the effort will provide internet service to more than 1 million unserved locations nationwide.
“We have a lot of skin in the game,” Young said during an event Jan. 25 in Freedom Township.
Quality of life issue
State Rep Gail Pavliga said high speed internet is important for Portage County to reach its goals for economic development, as well as quality of life for residents.
“It is vitally important that we have connectivity,” she said.
Pavliga reminded the group that during the COVID-19 pandemic, schoolchildren had to drive to parking lots in order to get their schoolwork done.
“Big companies want to locate here,” she said. “They have to have connectivity.”
Assessing the need
Portage County Commissioner Tony Badalamenti said county officials looked into the problem of poor internet service in Portage County. A few locations “definitely stood out” as places most in need of internet service.
“It’s hard to believe that a county of 162,000 residents didn’t have internet service,” he said.
Walker and Badalamenti credited Ryan Shackelford, head of Portage County’s Emergency Management Agency, for helping make the project happen.
Trucks heading out
Those who attended the event got to see one of Spectrum’s fiber splicing trucks, and learn how fiber is run to homes in the area.
Chuck Sullivan, area vice president of field operations, said the company’s efforts enable people to be more connected.
“We enable all of you to work from home, and to connect with your family members,” he said.
Reporter Diane Smith can be reached at 330-298-1139 or [email protected].
Tyler Fields is your internet guru, delving into the latest trends, developments, and issues shaping the online world. With a focus on internet culture, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies, Tyler keeps readers informed about the dynamic landscape of the internet and its impact on our digital lives.
