BROADBAND ACCESS MOVES FORWARD FOR GHENT AND CHATHAM
Mike McCagg
ccSCOOP News
A Greene County firm has made strides in its study of providing broadband access to the Ghent and Chatham area through over-the-air service, with early test results showing a good potential for service.
Arnie Cavallaro, president of NYAIR, told ccSCOOP on Friday that some of the preliminary tests are done, “things are moving forward, and we continue to work diligently.” |
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"We should be able to provide service [to Chatham and Ghent] at some level,” he added.
His Greenville firm is a wireless broadband Internet service provider that currently serves residents in Greene County and elsewhere. The firm uses microwave rays to “beam” Internet access to residents.
Cavallaro said his firm has identified one tower site to service Chatham and Ghent and is conducting further research on another location. He declined to identify the sites.
Cavallaro, Mid-Hudson Cable President James Reynolds, and Mid-Hudson Chief Technology Officer Stephen Renault met with representatives of the Ghent and Chatham town boards and the Chatham Village Board in October to discuss the potential of offering the service to the region. Mid-Hudson would provide assistance to NYAIR in providing access to the towns and village.
Chatham Village Trustee David Chapman explained that high-speed Internet service is limited to Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), which is not as fast or efficient as wireless broadband. Higher speed access is not available through landlines because providers do not believe it to be cost effective owing to the rural nature of the area, where residences can be several hundred feet or more apart.
Cavallaro cautioned that there are still some hurdles to overcome—both in geography and technology—but stated he is pleased with the successes seen so far in his firm’s studies.
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