WARWICK — There seems to be an end in sight for construction of an improved broadband network, with project completion set for April 2020 and approximately 70 percent of the work finished.
Town Coordinator David Young said the goal for Warwick’s wireless system is 25 megabits per second (which is how data transfer speeds are measured) for download speeds and 3 megabits per second for uploading.
“The best our old system did is 10 megabits per second for download and 2 megabits per second for upload,” Young said to compare.
In 2009, Warwick voted to borrow $40,000 to start Warwick Broadband Service, a town-owned enterprise tasked with providing wireless internet to Warwick residents. For the next seven years, the town built a wireless internet network to serve approximately 180 households. The original loan was paid back from operating revenue within three years.
Then, three years ago, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) approved Warwick’s application for $450,000 to complete the upgrade and expansion of the internet system, Young said, allowing the town to provide higher internet speeds to all permanent residents.
According to the Warwick Broadband Committee’s page on the town website, the federal definition of “broadband” is 25 megabits per second (Mbps). Dial-up is typically 0.05 Mbps. Internet telephone requires around 1 Mbps. Streaming standard video requires about 3 Mbps, while streaming high-definition video requires 5 Mbps.
The priority for the Warwick Broadband Committee is to upgrade approximately 30 slower connections from its slowest radio layers. The committee has rented a bucket lift to install equipment at up to 30-foot heights.
Young said the committee upgraded customers living to the north and west of Mount Grace. It will also be adding capacity to the Hasting Heights windmill pole sometime in the next few weeks to better serve sections of Richmond, Athol and Royalston roads.
Warwick purchases 250 Mbps of internet to supply to the network’s more than 200 customers, Young explained. The town distributes it from Town Hall, the cellphone and H-frame towers, 10 town-owned poles and a privately-owned pole.
“We have made money in each of our years of operation with almost $100,000 of retained earnings,” Young said.
The Broadband Committee has four active part-time employees who work as installers, and is supported by the town’s financial system of bill paying and collections. Internet in Warwick costs $50 per month, or $30 for reduced speeds. There is a $100 installation fee for new customers.
If any residents are in need of service, repair or otherwise need to contact the Warwick Broadband Service, call 413-676-9544. The number is a Google Voice number and can received text messages as well.
Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 264.