Optic network plan for Internet services presented to New Kent Board of Supervisors

New Kent’s Board of Supervisors received their first look at what it would take to bring Internet services to the county.

Wednesday morning’s work session began with RiverStreet Networks representative Robert Taylor providing an update from the organizations study of developing a fiber optic network design and plan. In November 2020, county leaders appropriated $79,995 for the study.

Taylor’s dialogue centered around areas being purchased by several companies who plan to get into fiber optic services and Internet services. According to the RiverStreet representative, approximately 628 miles of fiber optics could be run in New Kent County, providing the ability of 11,412 homes within the county to receive the Internet.

When it came to the cost, Taylor told county leaders that cost to implement the abovementioned services would cost the county $25 million. If 30 percent of homes accepted the hook up connection, it would amount to $32 million. In the rare case of 100 percent of homes electing to hook to the network, cost would escalate to $40 million.

One of the main concerns raised by county supervisors was the estimated time frame of the rollout of services. In particular, District 5 representative John Lockwood commented about the implementation.

“Under this plan, it would take two years for the first connections and six years for everybody to have access to this,” he said. “For me, where I reside in the county I would be one of the last ones to receive the services.”

Lockwood continued, pointing to what he deems as a “test run” of Internet services.

“I went an ordered Internet services through a satellite to see how it fairs,” he continued. “I am paying $400 for installation and delivery and should be here in eight weeks.

“It’s hard to justify people waiting six years to get Internet,” Lockwood concluded, once again reemphasizing his district. “I think they would pay now to have it sooner than to wait.”

Taylor commented that the board had a lot of options when it comes to financing the project to expedite services. He also added that the RiverStreet network could extend lines 1,200 feet from the build in comparison to 300 feet to what other companies offer.

County leaders have agreed to a full, sit-down detail session to more information on the presentation. The meeting is expected to take place in approximately in two months.

In other board of supervisors’ action:

-Approved appropriating $158,403.87 towards the construction of Pine Fork Park. The funding will be used to complete Phase 1 of the park’s construction. Pine Fork Park is tentatively scheduled to open in July.