BATH - Efforts to encourage broadband services for all
Steuben County residents will continue, spurred by a recent survey indicating
only 33 percent of those surveyed reported they receive adequate services. The
recent survey, conducted by ECC Technologies, Inc., in Steuben and Yates
counties, showed services to businesses and homes in Steuben lag behind other
counties and rate far below state standards. According to the Steuben/Yates
survey there is a clear and immediate need for access to high-speed broadband
service -- and competitive provider choices -- that meets the needs of local
rural consumers. Ninety-one percent of those participating in the survey said
provider choice was important while many reported the cost of hooking up to
existing providers was too high. Almost half of the participants reported
students are unable to complete homework assignments at home, due to a lack of
reliable Internet services. The need is there: Local libraries in rural areas
report people line up for access to personal computers and laptops. The mobile
Internet units they offer patrons are constantly being checked out for use. The
lack of state-standard Internet speeds also has a direct impact on business,
especially those in Steuben rural regions. Citing a cost of more than $50,000
to hook into a nearby Internet cable, one agri-business owner said, “I could
modernize my farm with internet as it would allow me to use internet apps and
modern equipment. I could expand and grow my farm, maybe even hire a few
people.” Steuben officials recognize the county presents unique challenges to
broadband connection. The sheer size of Steuben is an important issue, with
more than two dozen towns to serve and three large population centers in Bath, Corning
and Hornell. Roughly half of county residents live in rural mountainous areas
spread out from the Finger Lakes to the Pennsylvania border. “We know there are
stumbling blocks. We know this is a challenge,” county Manager Jack Wheeler
said. “It’s one of the reasons we joined with other counties and agencies in
the region to set up the Southern Tier Network.” Despite state Gov. Andrew
Cuomo’s pledge in 2015 to achieve statewide broadband access this year, there
appears to be no specific funding now available to improve access in Steuben.
The survey recommendations for communities and potential providers include:
1) Outreach and Education: In order to attract new carriers
and encourage current carriers to expand their coverage, communities need to
better understand the benefits and need for better access to the Internet.
Broadband has become a necessity, especially in rural areas, with recent
advancements in telehealth, online education, and e-commerce.
2) New potential customers for providers: Often providers
are unwilling to invest or expand services into rural areas. The survey
provides very specific marketing data to carriers that can be used to justify
new investments.
3) Access to the Southern Tier Network (STN): The fiber
network is an incentive to both existing and competitive providers who would
not need to build their own fiber infrastructure to reach customers. The study
data along with maps of the STN fiber network are available for interested
providers.
4) Pursue funding: Work with STN to apply for state and
federal grants to expand broadband coverage.
