iTown Facilitates Community Broadband Project

iTown Communications Inc., which designs, builds and operates high-capacity broadband networks, has started a broadband project for communities across West Virginia. The aim is to promote job growth and deliver advanced applications for business, education, health care, government services and entertainment.

The initial phase of West Virginia First focuses on the Beckley-Bluefield and Wood County areas of the state.

The project will use a fiber-optic local community public-use network (LCPN) to connect directly to homes, businesses, schools, government offices and other institutions in participating communities. iTown says the LCPN is an open network so different retail service providers can connect to it to deliver services to consumers.

West Virginia First involves a public-private partnership among iTown, the West Virginia Development Office and participating local communities.

“Broadband is to a 21st century community what electricity, water and paved roads were to a community at the start of 20th century. It is an essential infrastructure,” says Keith Montgomery, iTown’s president and CEO. “Communications and information are a great equalizer. … The West Virginia First Project is a model that can be adapted beyond the borders of West Virginia.”