Telecom authority sets sights on wireless
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Associated Press - Published: May 17, 2008
MONTPELIER — The Vermont Telecommunications Authority has decided to pursue a largely wireless strategy as it tries to bring higher speed Internet access to rural parts of the state, but some critics are questioning whether wireless is best.
VTA Executive Director Bill Shuttleworth said the authority, created by legislation passed in 2007, would use the majority of its $40 million worth of state bonds to build hundreds of towers providing wireless Internet and cell phone service.
"The whole tower negotiation — getting into the tower business, if you will — is critical" in meeting the goals of the legislation, Act 79 of 2007, Shuttleworth said.
He and authority Chairwoman Mary Evslin maintain that wireless will enable the authority to reach the largest number of rural areas currently lacking high speed Internet access for the least amount of money.
But those familiar with the technology say a fiber-optic connection is preferable.
Rep. Jim Masland, D-Thetford, who has been involved in efforts to improve rural Internet access, said that wireless stops well short of the best technology available.
"Given the possibilities, relying on wireless to fulfill this requirement of Act 79 is kind of a poor man's choice," Masland said.
Shuttleworth and Evslin said the authority is doing the best it can with limited time and resources.
"We have to be very judicious about how we're going to pull these three things off with just 40 million (dollars) and 2-1/2 years," Evslin said. "Every buck we have we're trying to leverage two or three ways, if we can."
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