A Maine internet consulting firm is launching a campaign in Jamestown to determine whether homeowners and businesses have access to the proper broadband service they need for the 21st century.
City Council Administrator Ed Mello updated the Town Council on Monday about the campaign by Mission Broadband, after councilors approved the grant-funded project at their Jan. 2 meeting. The grant money is being used by the nonprofit organization in collaboration with the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce after studying the broadband needs of other cities and towns in the county.
“They offered us that grant opportunity to cover the same research in Jamestown,” Melo said.
Mello said Mission Broadband’s goal is to collect data about internet speeds and pricing models. A similar informal survey was conducted by Rhode Island Commerce in the winter of 2022-23. While the study relied on people voluntarily submitting information online, Mission Broadband is expected to visit homes and businesses to test upload and download speeds.
According to Mission Broadband, access to sufficient and affordable high-speed internet is “no longer a luxury. It is a critical use for economic development, education, and health care.” Critical Underserved Services, its mission is “to provide equitable broadband access for all citizens by helping communities navigate the process of expanding and strengthening broadband connectivity.”
Mello said the company will also conduct market research to see if there are any vendors that can compete with Cox in Jamestown.
“They’re doing an analysis based on a specific population and trying to quantify what that velocity is,” Melo said. “It’s the same thing for a commercial district, to see what’s available here.”
John Dougherty, vice president of Mission Broadband, traveled to Newport to meet with a group of stakeholders, including Melo and Greater Newport Group CEO Erin Donovan Boyle.
“What we’re doing right now is really an outreach program,” Dougherty said. “We’re trying to understand the broadband landscape.”
Dougherty said he knows Rhode Island well because the state conducted a speed test of Newport’s mapping and internet speeds in 2021-2022. The consulting firm is also working to bring broadband to New Shoreham Island, which is only accessible by boat and plane.
Dougherty hopes that working in Jamestown will help residents understand the options they have when it comes to internet service. He also spoke about the benefits that broadband brings.
“Whether it’s healthcare, education, working from home,” he says.
He said most of Newport County is now working from home in some form, making the need for broadband even more important.
Melo said the study will help provide options available, including whether federal or state funds are available. Dougherty said he plans to have more outreach meetings with the Newport Chamber as the campaign progresses.
“There will be some questions, some meetings and potentially some speed tests,” he said. “Potentially there needs to be a double understanding, then education, then action.”
