Angelica Ramos
Contributing Writer
MONTGOMERY COUNTY- GigaBeam Networks and Appalachian Power are working together to provide broadband to Montgomery County residents that struggle getting service and amplify the speeds of service for those that already have service.
GigaBeam Networks is a company working with Appalachian Power to provide Montgomery County with this type of service and provide fiber optic packages, according to Gigabeam representative Eric Workman. GigaBeam Networks will specifically be providing fiber internet to the residents of Montgomery County who wish to tap into this service.
Appalachian Power, according to their representative Amanda Cox’s presentation, functions as a “middle mile partner” meaning that they help fiber companies connect to fiber lines in areas where connection can be sparse due to terrain, lower population, etc. More rural parts of Montgomery County like Riner, Shawsville and Elliston would be the type of community AEP’s help would potentially benefit. Cox explained in her presentation that Appalachian Power or AEP go in first to build, access and lease the fiber, then pass it off to GigaBeam Networks to “splice” and lay the fiber in order to create and provide that faster and clever broadband connection.
Currently, the companies are working on laying over 60 miles of fiber in Montgomery County and are estimated to finish the county by 2026. The two companies are working in “loops” meaning particular designated areas in order to section the total area they are servicing. Currently, a hold in some of the areas they are working in is caused by the railroads. They have, according to Cox’s presentation, two outstanding railroads permits waiting approval before they can continue work in those locations.
They have also had trouble securing flaggers to keep these areas safe for residents traveling through but are working on remedying that issue.
“Even though,” Cox said, “we’re having those challenges and issues, we are still working on framing and reallocation of work in those areas we’re working on.”
With these delays, when certain “loops” will be able to connect and tap in is not definite just yet until some of the permits have been approved.
