A Daily Mail editorial from the Charleston Gazette-Mail
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The chairman of a new state panel wants to set a lofty goal for broadband speeds in West Virginia: Make 1 gigabit internet service available statewide, reported the Gazette-Mail’s Eric Eyre last week.
“Our focus, our achievement level should be 1 gig,” Rob Hinton, chairman of the new West Virginia Broadband Enhancement Council, told other council members. “If we don’t get to 1 gig statewide, whether it’s wire line or fiber … we’re going to be behind, as a state.”
Others on the council argued that Hinton’s gigabit standard probably is setting the bar too high — and might put off internet providers struggling to offer 10 megabits-per-second (mbps) service in rural areas.
“I applaud your thought, but I think, at this point, it’s a very unrealistic goal,” said council member Robert Cole, adding that the 1-gigabit service would require extensive work to install large high-speed fiber lines and could scare internet providers away. “Getting their cooperation is key.”
Hinton said the 1-gigabit goal would send a message and help attract businesses to the state.
The Federal Communications Commission considers internet download speeds of 25 mbps or higher as broadband. State law sets 4 mbps as the minimum standard.
Some broadband council members said West Virginia must establish an internet speed standard that’s faster than the federal minimum, which may increase regularly.
“If not, it makes you always chasing, chasing, chasing, trying to get there,” said council member Robbie Morris.
But council member and state Commerce Secretary Keith Burdette said following the FCC standard makes more sense.
“While the higher goal is laudable, as a practical matter, when we look at policies and try to drive resources to communities, you can use the 25-meg standard,” said Burdette.
The 13-member Broadband Enhancement Council met for the first time last Tuesday, 18 months after state lawmakers established the panel.
Which side is right in this friendly discussion among members of the new board? Probably both.
West Virginians, it seems, have a way of selling themselves short and setting sights too low. Many with bigger dreams lower their goals or set out for other states.
Hinton is right that state leaders need to set lofty goals. Yet the others rightly point out that 1 gig of internet service is not yet practical for the entire state.
Perhaps the answer is to keep the dreams big, but be realistic in operation and spending.
