High Country Times

Wilkes Chamber Chairman Jody Call continued his discussion about the need for more broadband access in the area in the organization's June newsletter. 

"The COVID-19 pandemic quickly exposed and brought to light those areas deficient in being able to provide adequate broadband speeds," Call said in the June 24 newsletter, "which is defined by the [Federal Communications Commission] as 2 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload."

Call said that, while much of the county is covered by the faster than 25 Mbps/3 Mbps fiber-optic services from Wilkes Communications and Spectrum internet, there are still areas that are lacking. To bridge the gap, Wilkes Communications has installed more than 100 free Wi-Fi hotspots or broadband connections at local institutions such as the fire department, the community college, the Samaritan Kitchen, and spots throughout downtown Wilkesboro.

"These hotspots remain active and were intended to ease the burden for families who may not otherwise have access to broadband for student learning and engagement," Call said in the newsletter. He noted several grants, commissions and other funding sources that have made the Wi-Fi spots possible. "However, these opportunities do not guarantee adequate broadband service for all, and in most cases, the funding cycles specify a multiple-year build plan — sometimes six years or more."