High-speed Internet for New Kent tops discussion at town hall

A Jan. 22 town hall meeting hosted by New Kent supervisors garnered only 25 attendees with topics ranging from the status of Colonial Downs to economic development in the county. But it was the topic of high-speed Internet access that raised most questions for citizens and local business owners.

Two business owners addressed supervisors and county administrator Rodney Hathaway during the open forum format. After a brief presentation by Hathaway on future plans to entice more businesses to the county, questions about access to the World Wide Web emerged.

“What can we do about getting high-speed Internet through the county?” asked one business owner. “I’m currently paying $4,000 a year for Internet services for my three businesses.

“My kids have homework,” he continued. “Today, kids need the Internet to complete their assignments.”

Hathaway responded, indicating that portions of the county contain fiber-optic lines, the fastest speed of Internet available in the area.

“The fiber-optic lines are in strategic areas of the county, but are primarily available for businesses,” the county administrator commented.

Currently, residents who want to use to Internet services are bound by either Cox Cable or Verizon DSL. Those services reach a limited number of people, something Hathaway also addressed.

“Currently, we’re at the mercy of Cox Cable and Verizon DSL who have set criteria when it comes to providing services to citizens in the county,” Hathaway said. “We do have liaisons that we contact if you have problems, but we are working on solutions to bring high-speed internet throughout the county.”

One of those solutions came as a suggestion from District 5 representative Ray Davis. Davis inquired about wireless broadband services if negotiations for the county to join a regional emergency radio grid come to fruition.

“What about the ability to use Wifi with those towers?” asked Davis. “I know King & Queen County offers their residents services for a base fee of about $30 a month.”

Currently, King & Queen rents space on towers for companies to use for services, as well as provide Internet services to citizens through wireless access.

“I know they used stimulus money for that a few years ago,” he continued. “I think we could possibility do a survey to see how citizens feel about that.”

Hathaway agreed, but said steps in the process will determine the cost of wireless broadband Internet.

“Before we do a survey, we need to conduct a feasibility study to see how much it would cost the citizens,” he said. “We want to make sure we know the costs before pursuing the project.”

District 1 supervisor Thomas Evelyn said if the cost is low, he believes a survey will not be necessary.

“At $30 a month, I don’t think many citizens will have any problem with that compared to what some are paying now,” Evelyn commented.

The business owner responded, saying he desires the move to be something the board seriously looks into.

“I’d rather be paying $2,000 than $4,000 for my Internet services,” he concluded.