OMEGA Developing a Study to Expand Broadband Connection in Rural Areas

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- Ohio is moving at a rapid pace when it comes to internet speed and the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association (OMEGA) are working to strengthen that connection through their Broadband Feasibility Study.

Only 71 percent of the populated area and 21 percent of all households do not have sufficient broadband speeds or access in Muskingum County, according to Kennedy Blakely, the Communications Manager with OMEGA. 

“The copper infrastructure that is in place across rural Ohio and much of America is 50 years old, so well past the end of its life. It’s actually a very decrepit infrastructure that can barely sustain landline support, let alone cellular support or broadband support, which actually possess a large threat to lives as well because for folks who might live out where there’s no cell signal, that becomes an issue and if there’s an emergency and they need to call first responders, they’re unable to do so,” Blakley said.

The Broadband Feasibility Study came about after households throughout the many counties have complained about not having the appropriate internet access for remote work. 

Blakely added that legally if one household has access to the internet, the telecast company that is providing the internet is allowed to mark that entire census block as being served. 

“Unfortunately that leaves a lot of our more rural areas kind of out in the cold and a lot of that has to do with money with the telecast companies,” Blakley said. “It is more expensive to run fiber farther out especially if the infrastructure doesn’t exist there, but they really are neglecting their responsibilities to these large companies to provide internet access to these areas that they bid on in auctions to serve.”

The plans moving forward for the Study are to accurately identify these areas that need broadband, fund them and then build that infrastructure. The funds would be coming from the help of Government organizations. 

To help with this study, you can go online at connectingappalachia.org under “get involved” to run a speed test, take a survey and learn more on the process of getting a better broadband connection.