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Broadband Services Beefed Up in Ohio's Appalachian Counties
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio's 29 Appalachian counties, which include Columbiana, have significantly increased broadband services capabilities in the region, state Development Director Bruce Johnson announced today.The data was derived from the 2004 Access Appalachia report."I am pleased that the Access Appalachia report shows there is significantly more access to all forms of telecommunication service compared to several years ago," Johnson says. "The widespread implementation of broadband services is a critical component for marketing the region for economic and community development purposes."Since the first Access Appalachia report was compiled in 2002, significant improvements have been made to the region's ability to service broadband needs of business, education, health care, government and other vital public service facilities, in addition to private sector interests. Following are highlights from the report:Digital Subscriber Line. DSL availability in Ohio's Appalachian region has more than doubled in the last two years. In 2002, DSL was virtually nonexistent in 14 Appalachian counties in Ohio. Today, DSL is available in all Appalachian counties except Morgan.Cable Modem. In 2002, cable modem broadband was not available in five Appalachian counties and virtually nonexistent in another three counties. Today, cable modem broadband is available in all except Harrison.Cellular. More wireless providers, consisting of Alltel, AT&T Wireless, Cincinnati Bell, Cingular, Sprint/Horizon, T-Mobile and Verizon, cover the area compared to two years ago. Cingular covers the largest amount of geography in the region.Wireless. Wireless Internet broadband services exists in 16 of the 29 Appalachian Ohio counties. Additionally, they are providing broadband services in 15 of the counties.The report also indicates that competition for broadband services is increasing throughout the region, reducing costs and making the region more attractive for economic development. "While the task is not yet over, the progress is encouraging," says T.J. Justice, director of the Governor's Office of Appalachia. "The State of Ohio remains committed to the continued expansion of broadband services throughout the Appalachian region."In addition to the Access Appalachia studies, Gov. Bob Taft's administration has spearheaded a number of initiatives designed to make the Ohio Appalachian region more competitive technologically, Justice reports. One of those efforts is the Appalachian Ohio Broadband Planning Process, which is allowing five multi-county cluster groups to complete plans to implement or improve the level of broadband services available throughout their counties. The Appalachian Ohio Broadband Planning Process is being overseen by a partnership of state agencies and private sector organizations known as the Rural Ohio Technology Infrastructure Group.The Access Appalachia report was compiled by Schottenstein Zox & Dunn Public Policy Consultants ofColumbus."