Project could bring internet to Falcon area

By submitted, 08/24/21 1:21 PM

 

PRESCOTT – Nevada and Lafayette County are co-applying with Walnut Hill Telephone Co. for a fiber-to-the-home project for the Falcon Community and portions of Lafayette County.

The plan proposes placing approximately 24 miles of buried fiber optic cable and associated electronic equipment to upgrade broadband internet services up to 1Gig for 154 locations in Nevada County and 43 locations in Lafayette County.  Local officials and Walnut Hill Telephone have received numerous requests over the years to provide high speed Internet service to the Falcon area due to insufficient service from current providers. This project plan will ensure that residents in these areas have the broadband service to serve them now and into the future.

This project is interdependent on the Shiloh project being approved. Together these projects will place 66 miles of fiber to 434 homes and businesses. The Falcon Community nor Nevada County have not indicated subsidizing any portion of this project. The reason for the interest is to help bring, support and maintain high speed Internet services to these urban and rural communities. This broadband technology expansion will enable critical telemedicine, telework and digital learning for residents and businesses allowing them to fully participate in the day-to-day demands required during the pandemic.

Lafayette County is co-applying with Walnut Hill Telephone Co. for a grant to provide fiber-to-the-home for the Shiloh Community in Northeast Lafayette County. There is also a small portion of residents in Nevada County being covered.

The plan proposes placing approximately 37 miles of buried fiber optic cable, service drops and associated electronic equipment to provide broadband internet services up to 1Gig for 237 homes and businesses. The Shiloh Community, Lafayette County nor Nevada County have not indicated subsidizing any portion of this project. We have had several requests from these communities to come provide them service because their current provider was inadequate.

This broadband technology expansion will enable critical telemedicine, telework and digital learning for residents and businesses allowing them to fully participate in the day-to-day demands required during the pandemic.