Kentucky Wired network in place with room for more migration
Republished from WEKU.
The framework to bring high-speed internet service to government agencies and education facilities is in place. Now the focus is on increasing that number online and in turn, how that can help bolster individual homeowner connectivity.
The state effort to establish the fiber network connecting government sites began a decade ago. There were delays and budget-breaking issues. But this summer, the last hub in western Kentucky went live. Kentucky Communications Network Authority Chief Operating Officer Greg Gatson said there are connection sites in every county.
“They don’t have to build not only out to the end customer but also do construction back possibly tens if not a hundred miles or more to get back to a point of connection to the internet,” said Gatson.
There remains significant work to do to wire up individual homes to high-speed service. And there are still state agencies including education-focused entities not hooked up. Gatson said four customers migrated to the system the past week in western Kentucky.
While almost 500 agencies have migrated to the system, there are still many more to join in. Kentucky Communications Network Authority Executive Director Doug Hendrix said this state program is not focused on individual homes.
“I’ll get emails occasionally. It will say “I want to connect my house. I’m in Olive Hill.” I’m like, I can’t connect your house. Talk to your local ISP. But we know the people are hungry for it,” said Hendrix.
Hendrix noted progress is being made in connecting households to the middle mile system. But, he admits it does take time. Hendrix added businesses of any size need to have high-speed internet. Hendrix said there are some 58,000 fiber-providing poles throughout the Commonwealth.
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Originally published by WEKU.
Republished with permission.
