New broadband expansion project impacts rural areas of Pike and Adams counties

Rachelle Manson
Connect Ohio

A southwest Ohio wireless Internet service provider is aiming to bring additional broadband access to several areas with the lowest levels of service in the state.

Southern Ohio Communications, Inc. plans to provide high-speed Internet access to sections of Pike and Adams counties currently unserved and/or underserved and also expand its service area. The company currently provides high-speed Internet service in the cities of Waverly, Piketon, and parts of Jasper.

Southern Ohio Communications has partnered with Pike Rural Water Company in order to place wireless equipment on existing water towers strategically located on high elevations. The first one is in Newland Ridge, which is just outside Waverly.

“These water towers are very valuable assets to use and that’s what makes the expansion project affordable,” Southern Ohio Communications President Gary Cooper said. “By using vertical infrastructures such as water towers, the cost of this broadband expansion project is reduced significantly. We hope to provide service to 2,000 Pike County residents without high-speed Internet service in their homes.”

The company has applied for federal broadband stimulus funding in order to expand broadband service for the expansion.

“Even though the project has been started without stimulus funding, both county projects can’t be completed without its help,” Cooper said.

Once funded, Southern Ohio Communications will begin the Adams County expansion project as well. Until then, the focus will be on Pike County’s broadband deployment until existing funds run out.

Connect Ohio research shows that Adams County has a broadband adoption rate of 16 percent, which is the lowest percentage in the state. Pike County’s current broadband adoption rate is 39 percent, which is much lower than the state average of 55 percent.

“It’s our hope that broadband adoption percentages will increase dramatically in Pike and Adams counties with the help of Southern Ohio Communications,” Connect Ohio Executive Director Tom Fritz said.

For more information, visit Southern Ohio Communications website
here