Privately wired beats Kentucky Wired

At TVS Cable we know how important broadband access is for those who live and work in the mountains of East Kentucky. We’ve invested heavily in the infrastructure necessary to meet the demands of today’s technology-driven economy.

Our ongoing multi-million dollar fiber-to-the-home project is the most recent example of that investment.

We’re pleased that Gov. Matt Bevin is committed to working with existing service providers so as not to duplicate efforts. Our concern with the state’s “middle-mile” project, known as Kentucky Wired, centers on the fact that it will not deliver Internet service to anyone who doesn’t already have it.

But the effects on companies like ours could lead to depressed capital expenditures toward broadband expansion and fewer jobs. Those are consequences, while unintended, that no one wants.

As the most recent Federal Communications Commission Broadband Report shows, Kentucky has made great progress in expanding availability. In fact, 1 million more Kentuckians gained access to broadband last year due to investment by private Internet providers.

For nearly 50 years TVS Cable has been working to bring the latest technologies to our friends and neighbors. We’re going to continue that work. It’s essential for our economic future.

This story was originally published March 28, 2016 at 6:21 PM with the headline "Privately wired beats Kentucky Wired."