Broadband project nears completion in Charles City

In Dec. 2014, it was announced that high-speed internet would come to Charles City County thanks to a broadband initiative grant. But residents have been outspoken on the issue since a projected completion date of Oct. 2015 and then Dec. 2015 was slated. Those projections, however, failed to yield internet access for citizens.

District 2 supervisor Bill Coada asked county administrator Zach Trogdon to address the status of the project at the board’s June 28 regular meeting during the directive portion of the meeting and when citizens will begin to have an opportunity to access the high-speed network.

“It’s been a more difficult process than we imagined,” said the county administrator. “When we first started the project, we proposed a timeline that we thought was achievable and realistic.

“Over that time though, we recognized there were a lot of things that we thought we controlled that we didn’t,” Trogdon continued. “There are also a lot of things that we thought the providers controlled but they didn’t as well.”

The county administrator continued, pointing to delays that included the installation of cabinets to hold equipment, obtaining permits, and working with providers to initiate final steps.

Trogdon confirmed the fiber was installed in the ground and that power has been supplied to the three towers that will beam information through the airwaves. He also confirmed that electricity has not been supplied to the cabinets holding the operating equipment.

“That should be the last step before providers can get in there and install their equipment,” Trogdon commented. “After that, they should be able to get to the citizens and provide customers with more information.”

The county administrator confirmed at least two providers will be using the network. He also said that the companies should be reaching out to provide a cost to citizens as well. Still, no firm date on when that completion has been set.

“I apologize to the citizens for the delays of this project,” Trogdon said. “We were optimistic of this project when we started and I know it’s been frustrating to the citizens.

“Going forward, I am cautiously optimistic to give a specific date, but it should be real soon,” he concluded.