Bank of Holly Springs

Letter to the Editor

Why broadband infrastructure is important

To the Editor:

What is broadband infrastructure and why is it necessary to improve the quality of life in our community. Broadband infrastructure are the facilities, equipment, and personnel that combine to provide consistent, dependable, reliable, cost-effective internet, telephone, and video services. Internet, telephone, and video are commonly known as “triple play”. All utilities have infrastructure, such as electric lines, water mains, and gas lines that distribute electricity, water, and gas throughout the community. Fiber optics are the backbone of broadband infrastructure, without fiber optics your broadband infrastructure will not be consistent, reliable, or cost-effective. Fiber optics is the transmission of lightwaves through glass fibers. The fiber optics put the broad in broadband because it has unlimited bandwidth. This is why you can stream movies in your home and not have to go to the theatre, and why video stores went out of business.

Across the U.S. Communities are opting to build their own broadband infrastructure because they are tired of waiting for traditional service providers to give them triple play. These communities anchor institutions (fire, police, schools, hospitals), businesses, local governments, and residents work together to build the broadband infrastructure that fits their needs. There is no one size fits all solution, each community is unique with its own resources to utilize, and issues to solve.

In Marshall County we have advantages in resources, two electrical cooperatives, North Central Electric Cooperative and Northeast Mississippi Electric Power Association, and the Holly Springs Utility Department. These resources maintain infrastructure and have right of way and are part of our community.

Now it cost millions of dollars to build and maintain broadband infrastructure and it cannot be done without risks, communities have succeeded and failed. My research has shown me that communities working together with their local, county, and state governments can successfully implement and execute a well organized and planned broadband infrastructure.

There are monies available from the USDA Rural Utilities Service and Rural Digital Opportunity Fund that could be used for capital expenditures and operational costs. One deadline for applications is 2/22/22. I have over 25 years of experience working in fiber optics telecommunications, I know the industry. I want to improve the quality of life in our community by not only providing jobs via building infrastructure, but opportunities for others to create in their home and in our schools. Broadband allows for telemedicine, improved delivery of services and efficient government.

If we can deliver broadband services throughout Marshall County we could improve the quality of life in our cities as well as the county. Young people would see a reason to stay and make their homes here and not move away for jobs and opportunities. Commissioner Brandon Presley is right, the time is now. We can build the community we want if we work together. Who’s ready?

Wayne C. Jones
Holly Springs, Resident of Marshall County

Holly Springs South Reporter

P.O. Box 278
Holly Springs, MS 38635
PH: (662) 252-4261
FAX: (662) 252-3388
www.southreporter.com