Currently, we have DSL at the property and I had to fight to get it. AT&T wants to grandfather DSL, and then push people into their popular (and no doubt cost effective) service called Uverse. The problem is they aren't willing to lay the cable - or in this case fiber optic cable - in order for homes to have their updated service. Our subdivision has it wired, and they won't hook it up. I'm guessing its not wired in the areas you have to drive through to get to our subdivision. They don't give you reasons of course. The operators just tell you that your location can't have it.
Once you grandfather a program the current customers can keep it, but they will not offer it to anyone else. I'm assuming until the service completely breaks down current customers can keep it. Once that is gone? You are basically left with nothing.
You could get Satellite internet, but that basically deals with gigabytes like your cellular phone does. It's basically a glorified hotpot, and those are expensive! They also aren't as reliable as wired services for internet. For example, if your dish tv goes out due to the weather? You internet will too since it uses basically the same technology. I have no doubt the weather also effects your speed. A wired service - like your landline phone as opposed to your cellular phone - majority of time is much more effective, and weather isn't a factor. Speeds are better as well.
Copper Wire Services
DSL is basically old technology. It is run through landline phone wires. Those are called Copper wires. Many companies like AT&T are getting away from copper wire, and they claim its due to maintenance and servicing of these wires. What is sad to me is in time the traditional home/business phone will be part of our history.When you are speaking of rural areas like ours? Landlines could be your only source to call for help. Cell phone service is still pretty weak when it comes to many rural areas. In our area they are petitioning AT&T to place another cell phone tower in the area, because we a tragedy in the area due to lack of service. The thought of removing copper wire? It would be irresponsible for them to do that.
KentuckyWired
The state of Kentucky has a program that they are running fiber optic from one side of the state to the other. The program is called, Kentuckywired. It is the first state in the Union to even attempt this type of project, and if it goes as planned? It will be a huge boost to the state overall.
Basically this program is laying down fiber optic cable for use in your governmental buildings, but they are also including extra fiber optic cables in which internet providers (like AT&T) can tap into so they can offer high speed broadband to their customers.
This is a HUGE project, and will take a while. They have started already in the Eastern part of the state. They will slowly move towards the western end of the state.
The fiber optic cable will be an open access network. What that means is your internet provider can TAP into this fiber optic cable that the state laid down, and since they don't have as much to laid down themselves? Your chances of getting broadband go UP substantially.
Many people get confused, and think the state is getting into the broadband business. That's not the case! They are offering broadband businesses the option to use their fiber optic cable to expand services to their customers. Yes, no doubt your internet provider will RENT this from the state. It's only fair!
This program is very exciting, and I'm not sure people realize how much this could impact their communities! In the past you might have been told internet will never reach you, and those circumstances may have changed for them.
Circumstances in which your medical records are emailed the hospital you are in en route to in the ambulance? The records WILL even get there before YOU do! Not so much now!
Electrical Cooperatives Doing Broadband
Our local electric company is called Pennyrile Electric. They had a annual meeting this summer at a local fairground, and we attended since we were in town. I spoke to the CEO of the cooperative, because I had read in many rural areas their cooperatives WERE the broadband provider. They basically added fiber optic cable to their lines. It sounds like Pennyrile have already started to study this, and honestly? I would rather give my business to them then a large company like AT&T.
There are also rural communities in which their electrical cooperatives also added cable tv to their services. What is nice about that is it gives you more than one option for services. When you have more services available? It creates competition that might help everyone's bottom line.
With the case of Kentucky Wired? Pennyrile could tap into the fiber optic that the state lays down, and then it would cost them less to bring their own fiber optic to their electric customers. Their electricity would be more reliable as well, because they would be able to run electric service though the wires as well.
Broadband Grants from the Government for Rural Broadband
The Federal government issues RUS grants and other programs. Electric Cooperatives have been petitioning the federal government to concentrate MORE on technology in rural areas. They are being left behind!
Companies like AT&T also can apply for these grants, but honestly I don't see HOW they are expanding anything of substance within our area. I'm sure more populated areas of the county are offered their services like Uverse, but these grants are geared towards areas like ours being offered the same. It helps with the costs to place the infrastructure in for the more rural customers, and shouldn't be used for places they were planning on wiring anyway. That was the purpose of the grants themselves afterall.
Rural high speed internet options? It might not be a pipe dream after all! HORRAY!!
