MTC Cable (MTC), a subsidiary of the Margaretville Telephone Company has begun construction of a fiber optic network geared specifically to expand broadband to the unserved residents within the Towns of Conesville, Gilboa, Halcott, Middletown and Roxbury.
The start of this comprehensive project marks a significant move forward after nearly four years of efforts by MTC and local officials to secure the necessary funding to provide a broadband network to the very rural segments of these communities.
This infrastructure project includes the construction of over-100 miles of new fiber optic facilities offering broadband, telephone and cable television services to nearly 1900 residents and businesses located in areas where there is currently no access to facilities based broadband service.
In the spring of 2013, MTC was awarded $1.8 million in grant funding through Governor Cuomo's Connect NY Broadband Grant Program, which will be matched by a $1.8 million investment by MTC and an additional $250,000 in funding from the Catskill Watershed Corporation.
Glen Faulkner, general manager of MTC explains "As part of the pre-construction and engineering process, MTC partnered with the MARK Project and Western Catskills Community Revitalization Council, Inc. to conduct a survey of residents and businesses contained within the unserved areas. The survey responses continue to play a key role in identifying which areas have the greatest need and desire for broadband service.
"With limited funding available, it is critical that we deliver broadband to those who truly want the services. Businesses, municipal facilities, and other anchor institutions will also be a high priority."
Although grant funds will not be available for disbursement until early 2014, MTC has moved this project forward by completing a majority of the pre-construction/engineering work with initial construction beginning in June along the South Gilboa Road, State Route 30 and State Route 990V areas, with the first customer connections scheduled for mid-September.
Areas identified for construction in 2014 include portions of Halcott Center, Red Kill Valley, Denver-Vega Valley, Meeker Hollow, Jump Brook Road, as well as added sections of South Gilboa.
Additional locations within the grant area will be identified for construction in 2015 prior to the mandated project completion date of August, 2015.
The public is welcome to visit www.mtctelcom.com under "news" for the latest project updates.
For those areas which will not be included in this fiber optic project, additional grant funding is being sought under the 2013 NYS Consolidated Funding Application process for a wireless broadband component which will help to extend service into the most remote areas of Conesville, Gilboa, and Roxbury. Because these remaining un-served pockets of the region are located at higher elevations where wireless signals can be received, a wireless solution provides a feasible alternative.
For more information, contact MTC Customer Service at (877)727-2288.