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
Broadband News
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