Broadband Planning & Implementation

As the Regional Broadband Convener, Eastgate provides technical expertise and leadership for our communities in broadband planning, project identification, and project management. Beginning with the three county Regional Broadband Feasibility Study that was completed in 2021, Eastgate has worked tirelessly to improve the broadband standing of our region. We have focused on both last-mile and middle-mile projects, identifying unserved/underserved communities, building relationships with Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and partnering with community organizations such as the Oak Hill Collaborative to address digital equity and inclusion for our residents.

All of the initiatives have played a pivotal role in making tremendous progress over the last several years. With broadband deployment projects scheduled and underway in all three counties, Eastgate is committed to eliminating the digital divide that has existed in our rural and urban communities. Having brought on Reid Consulting Group to bolster the professional expertise of our Broadband Program, Eastgate is well positioned to assist our members in all things broadband. 

Broadband Connectivity Plans

Eastgate is pleased to announce that we have recently completed brand new Broadband Connectivity Plans for each of our three counties. This initiative was made possible by grants made to both Eastgate and our county partners from Connect Humanity, whose mission is to expand broadband access across the Appalachian footprint. These plans are directed at ensuring our region's readiness for the State of Ohio's $793 million in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding that should become available in 2025. In the various county plans, project areas are identified where last-mile broadband deployment is needed and will be targeted for funding through BEAD programming. Each county has also taken into consideration and we place a significant emphases on digital equity programs that will assist their residents who are seeking access to training course, low and/or not cost devices such as laptops and tablets, and overall assistance in identifying the ISP that is right for their unique household needs. 

Fiberhoods

Recently completed by Reid Consulting Group as part of the Connect Humanity Initiative, "Fiberhoods" are communities that are potential targets for fiber-to-the-home deployment. Within this study, we find numerous Eastgate Region communities that are included as part of a larger group of Ohio communities that participated in the Connect Humanity project. This information will pay dividends as we continue to plan for and work with our regional Internet Service Providers (ISPs) as they continue to deploy broadband fiber. 

Ohio Fiberhood Workbook

 

2021 Broadband Study

The Eastgate Regional Council of Governments conducted a Regional Broadband Feasibility Study to evaluate Broadband Internet Service throughout Ashtabula, Trumbull, and Mahoning Counties.

Read Study 

Broadband Study Kickoff Livestream - Tuesday, June 29th at 1:30pm

State Route 11 Engineering Analysis

Eastgate is advancing the Regional Broadband Feasibility Study recommendation to deliver robust communications infrastructure to the region. The end goal is to bring reliable, high-speed broadband internet access to residents, businesses, and key project stakeholders in the region and eliminate the current digital divide.

This implementation plan builds upon the feasibility study and facilitates a plan for the build-out of an open-access middle-mile fiber optic cable backbone within Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning, and Columbiana Counties. This middle-mile network will be constructed along State Route 11 (SR-11) utilizing the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) right-of-way (ROW) from the approximate limits of Lake Erie (Ashtabula County) to the Ohio River (Columbiana County). 

Read The Implementation Plan

Broadband Accessibilty Maps

Ashtabula

Trumbull

Mahoning

Columbiana

Broadband News

The competitive program helps rural communities use advanced telecommunications technology to connect to each other - and the world - overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density.

Read More

The Mahoning County Board of Commissioners is currently soliciting request for information from qualified firms for broadband services for Target Communities.

Read More

Steve Kristan was a guest on WFMJ's Digital Inclusion week to discuss smart cities

Read More

Eastgate, the Ohio Department of Development, BroadbandOhio and local representatives look to improve internet access for the region's communities.

Read More

National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) awarded Eastgate with a Medium Metro Achievement Award for its 2021 Eastgate Regional Broadband Feasibility Study

Read More

The Eastgate Regional Council of Governments is conducting a Regional Broadband survey to evaluate residential Broadband Internet Service throughout Ashtabula, Mahoning, & Trumbull Counties.

Read More

2021 Vibrant NEO Champion Awards, celebrating the role each county had in Eastgate's Broadband Feasibility Study.

Read More

Thursday, June 24, 2021, Eastgate Regional Council of Governments presented points from the Broadband Feasibility Study to Lt. Gov. Jon Husted in order to garner support from the state government for the project.

Read More

The Eastgate Regional Council of Governments has been awarded a $1.45 million federal grant to install a broadband internet network in downtown Youngstown.

Read More

The Eastgate Regional Council of Governments is issuing a Request for Proposals seeking the services of a consultant/firm to perform a Broadband Feasibility Study for the three-county region.

Read More