WaveLinc broadband provider has recently collaborated with Liberty Township Fire Department to expanded high-speed Internet access to homes and businesses in Crawford County, through a recent expansion tower.
According to fire chief- Rick Harley, the Liberty Township Fire Department was looking to build a communication tower for the fire station, which has always been in a “dead area” for broadband, radio traffic, and cell phone service. WaveLinc presented a broadband expansion plan after hearing the fire department was looking to build a tower.
Connect Ohio worked in assisting the provider and the county commissioners in discussing the use and regulations of the tower. The plan was proposed by WaveLinc after many residents showed a growing interest in having home broadband, according to Kurt Fankhauser, owner of WaveLinc.
Crawford County officials accepted the proposed agreement with WaveLinc to share the tower in order to bring broadband to Sulfur Springs.
“Having high-speed Internet is certainly better. The tower is a win-win situation,” said Harley. “I’ve looked at it as a community service. It’s helping us out, and it’s helping others in the community who want high-speed Internet that weren’t able to get it before.”
The new tower is currently providing wireless broadband service to a dozen homes that did not have it before. The tower could provide service for several hundred homes if the town were to expand.
“It is exciting to see community leaders cooperating with a local broadband provider to offer high-speed Internet to residents who otherwise would be left behind,” said Bart Winegar, Technical Outreach Manager for Connect Ohio.
According to Connect Ohio’s 2011 Residential Technology Assessment for Crawford County, where Liberty Township is located, 69% of households receive broadband service to the home, which is more than the state average of 66%.
For more information on WaveLinc, visit http://www.wavelinc.com/
Additional Crawford County technology research can be found at http://connectohio.org/_documents/Technology_Assessment_Crawford_County_2011.pdf
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Broadband Inquiry Success Story
After being fed up with limited Internet provider options, Kevin King stumbled upon the Connect Ohio website where he found information about the Broadband Inquiry process. The options of having dial up internet, or service through a 3G cellular service provider were available, but King was looking to get high-speed wireless broadband service.
King searched his home address in Connect Ohio’s BroadbandStat interactive mapping tool and the results showed broadband provider options King was already aware of, as well as an option for broadband service unfamiliar to him. According to the results, King was able to get Country Connections for his broadband needs.
After looking into this broadband service option, he found that they had a broadcasting tower less than 10 miles from his home with a strong signal, so Kevin signed up. Right after installation King saw a huge improvement over his previous options.
King says, having high-speed broadband service at home “has opened up a whole new world” for him.
Now, it is possible for him to watch YouTube videos, download music, and connect to work. King’s family is also utilizing their improved Internet connection. His son is able to access to his online college account and the rest of the family is able to e-mail, pay bills online, and shop.
“Surfing became a relatively simple task, instead of a frustrating, time--consuming activity,” shared Kevin. “Overall, it just frees up so much time and has removed so much aggravation that it is almost unbelievable.”
Exploring broadband coverage is easy to do through the Connect Ohio website and our interactive mapping tool, BroadbandStat. The interactive map takes your address and can find a list of providers claiming to have broadband service for your location. Check out our BroadbandStat at http://connectohio.org/mapping_and_research/interactive_map.php
King searched his home address in Connect Ohio’s BroadbandStat interactive mapping tool and the results showed broadband provider options King was already aware of, as well as an option for broadband service unfamiliar to him. According to the results, King was able to get Country Connections for his broadband needs.
After looking into this broadband service option, he found that they had a broadcasting tower less than 10 miles from his home with a strong signal, so Kevin signed up. Right after installation King saw a huge improvement over his previous options.
King says, having high-speed broadband service at home “has opened up a whole new world” for him.
Now, it is possible for him to watch YouTube videos, download music, and connect to work. King’s family is also utilizing their improved Internet connection. His son is able to access to his online college account and the rest of the family is able to e-mail, pay bills online, and shop.
“Surfing became a relatively simple task, instead of a frustrating, time--consuming activity,” shared Kevin. “Overall, it just frees up so much time and has removed so much aggravation that it is almost unbelievable.”
Exploring broadband coverage is easy to do through the Connect Ohio website and our interactive mapping tool, BroadbandStat. The interactive map takes your address and can find a list of providers claiming to have broadband service for your location. Check out our BroadbandStat at http://connectohio.org/mapping_and_research/interactive_map.php
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
FCC Announces ‘Connect to Compete’, Focusing on Training & Digital Literacy
Today, the FCC announced a major national public-private broadband adoption initiative called “Connect to Compete” aimed at boosting digital literacy, skills training, and job creation.
The program, which includes a dozen private and nonprofit partners and includes Connect Ohio’s parent organization Connected Nation, was announced today by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski.
Components of the program include a national “digital literacy corps” working to close the broadband adoption gap, and initiatives by private sector firms that are donating training opportunities, software, and creating digital content that will help job seekers. The Connect to Compete nonprofit initiative will oversee the effort.
Microsoft, Geek Squad, the Boys and Girls Club, Goodwill, One Economy, and the National Urban League are some of the other organizations aligned with Connect to Compete.
Connected Nation’s research shows that nearly 32 million rural Americans do not have broadband at home. In Ohio, 42% of rural households do not have broadband service.
Connect Ohio has been a leader in promoting broadband adoption through its Every Citizen Online program, generating demand for broadband services and helping thousands cross the digital adoption gap in Ohio. More than 11,000 Ohio adults have received free basic computer and Internet training. Of those trained, 88 % indicate they would like to subscribe to broadband within the next year. The Connect to Compete initiative will expand adoption efforts on a national level and help thousands more get connected.
The program, which includes a dozen private and nonprofit partners and includes Connect Ohio’s parent organization Connected Nation, was announced today by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski.
Components of the program include a national “digital literacy corps” working to close the broadband adoption gap, and initiatives by private sector firms that are donating training opportunities, software, and creating digital content that will help job seekers. The Connect to Compete nonprofit initiative will oversee the effort.
Microsoft, Geek Squad, the Boys and Girls Club, Goodwill, One Economy, and the National Urban League are some of the other organizations aligned with Connect to Compete.
Connected Nation’s research shows that nearly 32 million rural Americans do not have broadband at home. In Ohio, 42% of rural households do not have broadband service.
Connect Ohio has been a leader in promoting broadband adoption through its Every Citizen Online program, generating demand for broadband services and helping thousands cross the digital adoption gap in Ohio. More than 11,000 Ohio adults have received free basic computer and Internet training. Of those trained, 88 % indicate they would like to subscribe to broadband within the next year. The Connect to Compete initiative will expand adoption efforts on a national level and help thousands more get connected.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Smart Phone and Laptop Usage on the Rise
It seems that everyone today uses a cell phone as their main means of transportable communication. So it does not come as a surprise that the Connect Ohio Residential Technology Assessment finds that 80% of Ohio Residents own a cellular phone. Now with the adaptation of smart phones, these devices can be used for much more than just making a phone call.
Wireless capabilities available on smart phones are producing an increase in users who are adopting this technology as their primary means of accessing the Internet. According to a recent article from The Washington Post, “A quarter of Americans with smartphones use the devices as their main way to get onto the Internet.” Smart phones are an alternative for buying computers and paying an additional monthly bill – something especially attractive for people with lower incomes. In Ohio, the number of residents who access the Internet through a subscription to mobile broadband service is now at 31%, a significant increase from 2008 when only 13% subscribed.
The convenience of having a portable device, according to the Connect Ohio Residential Technology Assessment, is also seen in the rise of Ohio laptop computer ownership, now at 45% while desktop ownership is down 2% from 2010. Although mobile subscriptions are on the rise, the number of Ohioans who subscribe to broadband from home is still the preferred method, with 66% of Ohio residents currently having home broadband.
Wireless capabilities available on smart phones are producing an increase in users who are adopting this technology as their primary means of accessing the Internet. According to a recent article from The Washington Post, “A quarter of Americans with smartphones use the devices as their main way to get onto the Internet.” Smart phones are an alternative for buying computers and paying an additional monthly bill – something especially attractive for people with lower incomes. In Ohio, the number of residents who access the Internet through a subscription to mobile broadband service is now at 31%, a significant increase from 2008 when only 13% subscribed.
The convenience of having a portable device, according to the Connect Ohio Residential Technology Assessment, is also seen in the rise of Ohio laptop computer ownership, now at 45% while desktop ownership is down 2% from 2010. Although mobile subscriptions are on the rise, the number of Ohioans who subscribe to broadband from home is still the preferred method, with 66% of Ohio residents currently having home broadband.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Every Citizen Online All-Star Facility Award Presented to Wadsworth Public Library
Connect Ohio has named Wadsworth Public Library an Every Citizen Online (ECO) All-Star Facility.
The ECO All-Star Facility award was presented to Mohamed Ragheb, technology manager and ECO program coordinator for the library, during Connect Ohio’s quarterly Technology Association Meeting breakout lunch session held in Columbus September 30, 2011.
Connect Ohio ECO staff, including state operations managers and the executive director, choose the ECO All-Star Facility awardee based on meeting various program ‘hallmarks of excellence’. These include, but are not limited to, the number of adults taking ECO training at the facility’s locations, ECO program survey completion rate, creative promotional and community partnerships assisting in awareness and local success of the program, and the level of engagement of facility coordinators in the ECO program.
Wadsworth Public Library has trained more than 115 adults on the basics of computer and Internet use through their ECO class offerings.
Congratulations Wadsworth Public Library!
 |
| Mohamed Ragheb, WPL, and Jeff Beebe, Connect Ohio |
The ECO All-Star Facility award was presented to Mohamed Ragheb, technology manager and ECO program coordinator for the library, during Connect Ohio’s quarterly Technology Association Meeting breakout lunch session held in Columbus September 30, 2011.
Connect Ohio ECO staff, including state operations managers and the executive director, choose the ECO All-Star Facility awardee based on meeting various program ‘hallmarks of excellence’. These include, but are not limited to, the number of adults taking ECO training at the facility’s locations, ECO program survey completion rate, creative promotional and community partnerships assisting in awareness and local success of the program, and the level of engagement of facility coordinators in the ECO program.
Wadsworth Public Library has trained more than 115 adults on the basics of computer and Internet use through their ECO class offerings.Congratulations Wadsworth Public Library!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Connect Ohio Awards 12 Laptops to Every Citizen Online Computer Giveaway Winners
Throughout the month of
July, Connect Ohio staff was busy coordinating computer distribution events
throughout the state following the Every Citizen Online (ECO) computer
giveaway. The giveaway entry period was between April 5 and June 20, 2011. ECO
participants who completed an online survey following the free basic computer
and Internet training were entered into a random drawing for one of 12 new
laptop computers.
A media-friendly event was
coordinated for each of the 12 winners at the location the ECO training was
completed and included Connect Ohio staff, ECO location staff, and ECO
coordinators and instructors. The winners had great stories to share regarding
their experience with the free computer training and how the new knowledge and
comfort with computers is already helping them.
“I loved the (ECO) training
and the instructor was one in a million,” said Cathy McComis, winner and ECO
participant at Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library. “I don’t have a
computer, so now I can go get Internet at home. I’m so excited!”
“It will be so nice to have
a portable computer,” said Roseanna Wenig, winner and ECO participant at the
Marion Public Library.
“I was just ready to buy a new desktop computer
because mine is old,” said Louise Beldon, winner and ECO participant at
Northwest State Community College. “I like to use the Internet to read e-mail,
play computer games, and look up recipes. I want to learn Facebook and other
websites.”
“I loved the training,” said
Sharon Kiener, winner and ECO participant at OSU South Central Region Extension
Office. “I needed the basics of the Internet and I’m looking forward to
learning new things, like selling antiques on eBay and editing photos. I didn’t
have a computer at a home (before winning the laptop). I would love to get the
Internet now.”
“It’s not every day things
like winning a new laptop happen to me,” said Brandy Archer, winner and ECO
participant at Community Action Council of Portage County. “Being without a job
since August of 2010, I was given the opportunity to take classes at CTLC for
my MOS certifications, as well as the Every Citizen Online (ECO) classes. I am hopeful
winning the laptop will get me one step closer to achieving my return to the
workforce.”
Congratulations to the
computer winners!
·
Archer, Brandy –
Community Action Council of Portage County
·
Beldon, Louise –
Northwest State Community College
·
Buchanan, Doris
– Kate Love Simpson-Morgan County Library
·
Griebling,
Sharon – Pioneer Career and Technology Center, Bucyrus location
·
Hawkins, Elaine
– Shaker Heights Public Library
·
Kiener, Sharon –
Ohio State University South Central Extension, Learning Center East
·
McComis, Cathy –
Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library
·
O’Connor,
Patricia – University of Dayton
·
O’Brien, Becky –
Kate Love Simpson-Morgan County Library
·
Summit, Jerry –
Columbus Metropolitan Library
·
Wenig, Roseanna
– Marion Public Library
Young, Thelma – Forest-Jackson Public Library
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