If you are already aware of the request to register your interest in DSL with the Windham Broadband Project and with Verizon you can go directly to Register DSL Interest and Register with Verizon. Otherwise, please read the following information.
Hello, Seekers of Faster Internet Access,
Efforts continue to bring fast internet access to the southern half of Windham and neighboring areas in Jamaica, Townshend, and Londonderry. We now have three possibilities – wireless, satellite, and DSL. Each has its challenges in our sparsely populated and mountainous town.
The Windham Broadband Project has focused so far on bringing wireless service here, which is the route pursued by most rural Vermont communities. Our recent grant proposal to the state’s Department of Innovation and Information to support wireless service was not chosen to be funded, with the grants going to projects that serve larger populations than ours. Governor Douglas recently announced a new initiative to bring broadband to 100% of the state, but it is estimated that no real benefit will be realized by this for perhaps a year.
Wireless from Great Auk (a division of Optima) continues to be an option for our area. Without grant support, installation is $200 or more per household, monthly service a minimum of $40, and many households will probably not be reached.
Some residents who were eager for faster access have signed up for satellite service and report that it is a big improvement over a dial-up connection. Satellite service is available from several providers, including WildBlue, and it has been reported that DISH and Direct TV are offering it too. The satellite connection is not as fast or as reliable as wireless, but it is available to most households. The cost for satellite installation and service is in the same range as wireless service.
With the recent installation of fiber optic cable by Verizon to improve our telephone service in Windham, there is now a possibility that Verizon will deliver DSL to its customers here. This service would be considerably less expensive than the other options, with no installation costs and monthly service starting about $20. The DSL connection would probably be more reliable, but how many households it would reach is uncertain.
Windham’s elementary school and town office are especially handicapped by their lack of high-speed access, and Verizon’s public relations person has said that the installation of the fiber cable makes it more likely for Verizon to provide DSL service for these vital locations.
The likelihood of getting DSL to the rest of our area is uncertain. Some Verizon employees say it is definitely in the plan for us, while others with more official public positions say it is not. According to the letter sent to our select board from Pamela Porell, vice president for Vermont Verizon, the fact that they have chosen to install fiber cable to the new equipment box on Windham Hill Road “may increase the likelihood of Verizon providing DSL to some areas of Windham in the future.”
Verizon has a commitment to bring high-speed capability to 80% of its Vermont customers by 2010. To bring DSL to Windham requires that they upgrade other equipment. To a large extent, the likelihood of that happening is a function of demand, as Verizon needs to know it can expect a reasonable return on its investment. Thus, showing Verizon that Windham has a substantial number of potential customers is key to convincing them to provide DSL here.
The Windham Broadband Project is urging residents in the Verizon service area to express their interest in having DSL. We are asking you to express this interest in two ways:
At this time, our chances of getting broadband access seem better than ever. Let’s see what we can make happen!
If you have not previously registered your interest in receiving broadband, please also complete the Broadband Interest Registration so that we can contact you with any new information.
Mary McCoy
Windham Broadband Project