St. Clairsville, Ohio – Agile Networks (www.agilenetworks.com) has reached an agreement with Belmont County, Ohio, that will enable the company, a premier provider of hybrid fiber wireless broadband data networks, access to county-owned infrastructure. This project within Belmont County will increase the availability of high speed internet services to the residents and businesses within the community, while expanding upon the significant investments that Agile has made to communications infrastructure throughout Ohio.
“Agile has proposed a compelling public-private partnership model to help address the broadband gap to our Belmont County residents,” said Josh Meyer, county commissioner – Belmont County. “The implementation will be vital for the economic development in our community.”
With the agreement that Agile will extend its network to Belmont County assets, the company anticipates other telecommunications carriers will follow suit by similarly investing in this open-access model. Kyle Quillen, CEO of Agile, states, “It allows county-owned infrastructure to be leveraged and allows broadband and telecommunications services to cost effectively come to the underserved county.”
“I am pleased that we are about to partner with Agile. Our goal is to be proactive with private sector utilities in an effort to provide all of our residents/businesses with affordable and good internet service. I too thank the Belmont County Port Authority for its efforts in furthering this economic development tool,” said Commissioner Mark Thomas.
Agile will develop its design and construction plans over the next 60 days and will publicize its formal roll-out schedule by year-end, including initial coverage maps depicting areas where services will be available. Expansion beyond these initial coverage maps is anticipated through further access to privately owned vertical assets, like grain silos, water towers, communication towers, etc. Agile encourages the community to assist in identifying additional privately owned vertical assets that can be used to extend the coverage area to as many county residents as possible.
“Increasing broadband access is a real issue that rural counties across the nation continue to face, particularly in Appalachia. As technology advances, so does the need for greater access. In Belmont County, we have been looking at all potential avenues to better future development. This partnership with Agile Networks is a prime example of those efforts,” says Commissioner J.P. Dutton
For additional questions or more information, contact Belmont@agilenetworks.com.
About Agile Networks
Agile Networks is the premier provider of hybrid fiber wireless broadband data networks, supplying connectivity to empower individuals and transform organizations. Agile Networks’ hybrid network – The Agile Network – utilizes vertical infrastructure along with the latest in fiber-optic and wireless technologies to provide world-class data solutions. Engineered to the stringent specifications required to support public safety, The Agile Network boasts carrier grade performance and military-grade security. Agile’s Last-Mile Agility makes delivering solutions to rural areas just as feasible as major cities.