Education Portal

This is your cheat sheet and guide to what’s what in the world of broadband enhancement efforts. There are a lot of acronyms and historical information to sort through on this subject. We hope this helps decode some of the language and gives you context for the issues we’re tackling today.

If you don’t see something here that you think should be or you have questions, hop over to the Contact Us section and send us a note.

What is broadband?

The Federal Communications Commission defines broadband as 25Mbps download speed and 3 Mbps upload speed. This definition was updated in 2015 from 4 Mbps download speed and 1 Mbps upload speed. The increase in speed reflected the change in consumer behavior and marketplace.

What are the different types of internet connections?

The most common internet connections come are DSL, Fiber Optic, or Cable. Fixed wireless, 5G, and satellite are less common connections.

• Fiber Optic: Commonly referred to as “fiber,” this is a broadband connection run through fiber optic cabling. This is the most efficient, reliable, and fastest internet connection available. This is the type of connection that the Pocahontas County Broadband Council is focused on expanding.
• DSL: Digital Subscriber Lines operate through your phone line. In Pocahontas County, this is the service provided by Frontier.
• Cable: Cable is broadband internet access that uses the same coaxial cabling as cable television. This is not available in Pocahontas County at this time.
• Satellite: Satellite is typically internet access provided through stationary satellites similar to satellite television. Speeds vary and there are typically limits on data. Starlink is a low latency, broadband internet system. This is accomplished by creating a constellation of satellites of a low Earth orbit. It is currently in beta testing.

RDOF: Rural Digital Opportunity Fund

What is it?

The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund is the FCC’s fund focused on bridging the digital divide. On August 1, 2019, the FCC adopted a NPRM proposing to establish the $20.4 billion RDOF to bring high-speed fixed broadband service to rural homes and small businesses. The fund is based on a phased reverse auction, similar to the Connect America Fund. This money is awarded over 10 years, with up to $16 billion being awarded as part of the Phase 1 auction, and the remaining Phase 1 budget along with $4.4 billion being awarded as part of the Phase 2 auction.

Learn More:

FCC Fact Sheet: https://www.fcc.gov/auction/904/factsheet

RDOF Details: https://broadbandnow.com/report/rural-digital-opportunity-fund/

RDOF Map: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/0b324cabf7b94d9ca34caa9361122d94/

What does it mean for us?

In Pocahontas County, the Phase 1 reverse auction awards went to Frontier and CityNet.

These providers now have 6 years from the release of funding to complete infrastructure projects in those areas. The issue with this is until the projects are complete or the 6 six years is complete, these areas are largely ineligible for other funding opportunities.

Frontier was awarded the 7^th largest amount of funds at $371M for 127,188 locations throughout 8 states. Given our service to date and lack of access to infrastructure already in place, we are not confident that Frontier’s plans will deliver adequate access to broadband in the areas they were awarded locally.

CityNet was underbid on a majority of areas within Pocahontas County. However, they were awarded $53M for 13,460 locations in the state, including small areas of Southern and Northern Pocahontas County. The Council is confident in CityNet’s ability to deliver adequate access to broadband in the areas they were awarded locally.

The Council is committed to applying for multiple funding sources regardless of this obstacle. This is one of the reasons that we are soliciting speed data throughout the county so we can show how underserved we are.

ROC: Regional Optics Committee

The ROC is a fifteen county consortium focused on the expansion of adequate broadband within the region. Member counties include: McDowell, Mercer, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers, Wyoming, Greenbrier, Fayette, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Webster, Clay, Calhoun, Roane and Braxton.

ROC recently completed a comprehensive study analyzing broadband need, existing services, and potential areas and resources for expansion. This study was made possible with HUD CDBG and U.S. Economic Development Administration grant funding. Click here to view the study.

Mayor of Marlinton, Sam Felton, acts as the Chairman for the ROC along with representation from both the public and private sectors. Check out http://www.wvroc.org/ for more information.

Region IV

Region 4 provides technical assistance to Fayette, Greenbrier, Nicholas, Pocahontas and Webster Counties and the municipalities contained within. The goal of R4PDC, as a whole, is to comprehensively plan for the economic growth of the Region, but generally focus on the facilitation and administration of infrastructure, especially water, wastewater, and other community development projects. We are also charged with the duties of administering the Fayette/Raleigh Metropolitan Planning Organization.

WV Broadband Enhancement Council

The West Virginia Legislature designed the Council to represent diverse users of broadband, including residential and business users, from various locations throughout the State.

The Council has 13 voting members, as well as two appointees from the West Virginia Senate and two appointees from the West Virginia House of Delegates, one from each party, to serve as ex officio, nonvoting advisory members. Learn more about the Council at https://broadband.wv.gov/.