Governor Brian Kemp and two businesses have announced steps to share broadband access to Georgia’s rural communities.
At a Friday announcement in Washington County, Governor Kemp said, “Without a doubt, broadband access became more vital because of COVID-19.”
The access is a partnership between Washington Electric Membership Cooperative and Conexon, a Kansas City, Mo. based company that specializes in helping electric cooperatives build fiber networks.
Washington EMC is committing $52 million dollars and Conexon is adding $2 million. It will provide broadband access to 12,000 homes in at least ten counties.
Governor Kemp said, “With today’s announcement, a total of 14 EMCs are providing broadband access alone or with a partnership in communities across Georgia.”
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Georgia Cyber Center at Augusta University is also looking at ways to expand broadband service.
Specifically, the Cyber Center will be looking at existing wireless technologies in several places around Taliaferro County.
A new release for Wednesday’s announcement scheduled at Taliaferro County Schools office said, “This initiative aims to determine what technologies are ideal in various environmental scenarios while accounting for tree density, terrain height, terrain makeup, temperature, precipitation, and more.”
When the research is complete, the Cyber Center will begin work on a model of what technology will work best to reach more of Georgia’s unserved and underserved areas. It could be a mix of wireless technology and access through fiber connections.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
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