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Eastern Shore of Virginia Broadband Authority The Eastern Shore of Virginia Broadband Authority is incorporated as a Wireless Service Authority, as governed by the Virginia Wireless Services Authority Act (Title §15.2, Chapter 54.1 of the Code of Virginia). It was created by a joint resolution of the Accomack County Board of Supervisors and the Northampton County Board of Supervisors. The ESVBA is directed by a 5-member board of directors that includes the Accomack County Administrator and Northampton County Administrator as well as three appointed citizen members. The three appointed members are selected from the community by agreement between the respective Boards of Supervisors. An Executive Director, Project Manager, Engineer and Administrative Assistant currently staff the ESVBA. WHY HIGH-SPEED? Because the Internet moves almost ALL information, the Internet and high-speed access to it is rapidly becoming essential for prosperity everywhere. It has become as necessary as electricity and running water to the economy of every nation in the world. In 2001, the United States ranked 4th in broadband penetration. Between 2001 and 2003, we slipped to 13th place, and in 2004, we slipped again to 16th place. The countries that far outstrip us in broadband penetration are France, most of Europe, and South Korea (which offers 100 Mbps universal coverage for $45 per month). Most of Virginia’s Eastern Shore has only 0.03 Mbps dial-up access for $19.95 per month—not exactly a bargain—and that speed is totally inadequate for anything except casual “surfing.” DSL works for surfing and some small business applications, but it is too slow for many other uses. (To see the difference between dial-up, DSL and different speeds of broadband, use the FIBER SPEED DEMONSTRATION at right.) The future is often hard to imagine, but we know that all communications media will be digital in only a few years. Access to TV, radio, phone, and film will all be delivered via a high speed connection (>100 Megabytes per second). There will be no “rural high-speed Internet connectivity” program from our federal government the way there was rural electrification in the 1930’s. Also, high-speed Internet access will not be delivered to rural communities with low population densities by any for-profit organization. For-profits can’t build out the fiber infrastructure and still sell services at an affordable price. Therefore, rural communities such as ours need to think creatively and seek partners and funding to make this economic development necessity a reality. Here on the Eastern Shore, we are fortunate to have the support of our local, state, and federal representatives for this effort. The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development funded the three planning grants that produced the study and has offered more funds to complete a study from Nassawadox south to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. State funding is expected to assist Mid-Atlantic Broadband Cooperative in constructing the fiber backbone from Wallops south to Norfolk. (Maryland Broadband Cooperative has completed laying its fiber from the north to Wallops.) Federal funds will also be sought to complete construction funding for the Eastern Shore "leg" of the backbone. Our federal representatives have succeeded in adding an earmark to bills in the U.S. House and Senate that will enable the start of construction on a redundant "leg" from Norfolk north through the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck to Maryland. When completed, the "western shore leg" will add security and continuity for citizens and, especially important, the Department of Defense installations throughout the Commonwealth. |
HOT LINKS: Community Broadband Planning Study MINUTES: |
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Serving the Eastern Shore of Virginia Since 1970 Phone 757-787-2936 or toll-free 866-787-3001 Fax 757-787-4221 email anpdc@a-npdc.org 23372 Front Street, PO Box 417, Accomac, VA, 23301 |
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