WILLIAMSBURG-A public hearing is scheduled for this Thursday, September 9 during the Williamsburg City Council meeting to discuss the possibility of adding a second broadband service provider.
Currently, Cox Communications is the only broadband service provider within the city of Williamsburg. One of the City Council’s goals is to expand broadband service, and it is considering a negotiation with Shenandoah Cable Television, LLC (Shentel) to offer its services.
City officials are recommending an additional provider after undergoing pilot projects to evaluate wireless broadband services and determining that until there is universal 5G coverage throughout all of Williamsburg, wireless broadband is not a reliable enough alternative to wired broadband service.
Shentel provides advanced broadband services, digital TV, voice and high-speed Internet, and other services in Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. City officials are proposing a franchise agreement with Shentel to provide its services to Williamsburg residents and businesses for 10 years, with one 5 year extension.
Williamsburg City Council will meet at 2pm on September 9 in the Stryker Building, 412 N. Boundary St.