Oneida County has 52 underserved broadband service areas: How project proposes solution
Oneida County is seeking proposals from internet providers to better expand its broadband service into underserved areas, all part of a $2 million project, the county announced Wednesday in a statement.
The project money comes from the capital plan passed with Oneida County’s 2023 budget.
The broadband project was originally proposed for $5 million, but ultimately was reduced. More people are currently being served and there are state and federal programs the county can use in the future, officials said in November, when the budget was passed.
“For the past 18 months, Oneida County has been working diligently to assess our broadband needs and identify the areas that have been underserved,” Picente said in a statement. “We are now ready to partner with internet service providers to deliver broadband to more residents and businesses so that everyone has an equal chance to succeed. Oneida County will be there every step of the way to guide and support these projects in any way that is needed.”
How we got here
In 2018, the county finalized an Inventory of Broadband Assets which contained information regarding vertical assets, public and emergency facilities, commercial and industrial growth areas, downtown districts and other vital data to be utilized in developing a feasibility study for an expanded broadband internet network.
The county partnered with the Mohawk Valley Economic Development District to conduct a survey in the summer of 2021 to test internet speeds and assess the broadband needs of residents and businesses.
The survey was used to develop a map of 52 underserved areas of the county, each containing 25 or more homes that are without broadband internet.
The more rural parts of Oneida County have the most issues with broadband access, according to survey results.
Smartphone connectivity was classified underserved in the survey results, as it is not reliable.
Connecting to partnerships
Oneida County now seeks to partner with one or more established internet service providers to build out underserved areas and is asking for a Fiber-to-the-Home solution in order to maximize the life of its investment.
The county will financially support the successful internet providers with grant funding and other support needed to make each project financially feasible. This includes seeking municipal partners to add to the total available funding.
Interested and qualified internet providers must submit their proposals to Jeff Quackenbush, deputy commissioner of planning, Oneida County Planning Department of Planning, Union Station, 321 Main St., Utica, NY 13350.
All proposals must be received by the Department of Planning no later than 3 p.m. on March 15. Proposals received after this date will not be accepted.
Questions regarding this request must be submitted to Jeff Quackenbush via email jquackenbush@ocgov.net or letter and received no later than 5 p.m. on Feb. 23.
Municipalities interested in creating a partnership to expand broadband in their areas may also contact the Planning Department at 315-798-5710.
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Oneida County seeks internet providers to help underserved areas
